OK so I learned a very valuable lesson today-at the point of a gun!
Previously being a Lieutenant at the Sheriffs Department in charge of a unit that specialized in reducing gang activity in the worst parts of the county, I am no stranger to the use of guns. But as a Realtor, this is one thing I really didn't anticipate dealing with.
I have a listing that The seller and I agreed yesterday to reduce the price, so I thought since I have to redo all my ads I would take more pictures to add. No big deal, I drove to the property and saw that the maintenance people had been there to do some yard work (this is an investors property)-Great, I thought the pictures will look nicer with the freshly cut lawn.
I put my sign back up that had been knocked down and proceeded inside. The house is a totally rehabbed 3 bedroom 2.5 bath that shows very nicely, so I wanted to get several different angle pictures to produce a video-Thanks Rich Schiffer for the Tech Tip.
I went through the front room, dining room, kitchen, utility room-all on the main floor- and took several pictures, then went upstairs to the bedrooms and 2 baths. When I was in the Master bathroom, I thought I heard someone say something downstairs-so I just yelled down "I'm upstairs!"
I didn't hear anything else so I thought I better head downstairs to see what-or who-made the noise. Upon rounding the corner at the top of the stairs-I look down to the bottom to see a 9mm handgun pointed toward me. Having been in similar situations, it still amazes me that you can see nothing else in the room when confronted. This small weapon is now front and center in your mind and has your undivided attention!
I immediately through my hands in the air to show I had nothing but a camera and heard "Baltimore County Police, Identify Yourself!" Whew what I relief-as I take a breath, I state back, "I am the Realtor" The officer, doing his job properly, didn't relax until the point that he was sure I was who I said. I pulled out my business card and ID and as he made his report we discussed police work.
So why was he there? The alarm system had been reset by the maintenance staff and I set off the alarm when I came in. I didn't have the code so I had to call the owner who gave me a code and I shut it off-she neglected to tell me that the system was still monitored!
So there are two lessons here that I walked away with today-1) Always secure the door behind me when I enter a property-next time it may not be the police AND 2) If theres an alarm-always get the disarm code-even if they say its never set!
Of course, I couldn't allow the officer to leave until we discussed his housing plans or needs! Althought he has no immediate needs, he does have a friend, so I may end up with a new client out of this on top of my lessons for the day!
Stephen Luckett
LuckNet Real Estate Group
443-384-6000 office 443-912-4866 cell
Baltimore County Real Estate, Nottingham Real Estate, Perry Hall Real Estate, White Marsh Real Estate, Parkville Real Estate, Dundalk Real Estate, Sparrows Point Real Estate, Miller's Island Real Estate, Middle River Real Estate, Essex Real Estate, Rosedale Real Estate, Baltimore City Real Estate, Harford County Real Estate, Fallston Real Estate, Bel Air Real Estate, Anne Arundel County Real Estate, Real Estate Investor, Real Estate Settlement, REO/Foreclosure
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