My Scariest Day in Real Estate

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I pulled up to a vacant house I was renting one afternoon a few years ago. I opened the lockbox, took out the key and opened the door.  My appointment had not yet shown up so I thought I would open up some of the drapes.

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I walked into the kitchen and noted that the drapes at the slider were blowing into the room.  The slider door was ajar about six inches.  I went over to the door and shut and locked it.  I thought that was strange, but everything was in order so I was not too alarmed.  Someone must have left the door unlocked at a previous showing.  I decided to check the bedrooms just in case.

The first two bedrooms and hall bath looked fine.  I entered the master bedroom and made my way to the master bathroom which was very small.  As I entered the bathroom I thought I saw a shadow in the crack of the door.  I stepped into the room and the door was suddenly pushed shut.  A young man was standing in the corner.  He was a few inches shorter than me.  I probably outweighed him by 30 pounds. 

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I looked down and noticed that this fists were clinched.  At least he did not have a gun or a knife!

We stared at each other for a moment.  Finally, I said to him, "I am going to open the door and walk to the front of the house.  You follow me and when we get outside, you can leave.  Ok, I am opening the door." 

So I opened the door and we walked through the master bedroom, down the hallway, into the entry, and out the front door.  The young man passed me by and kept walking.  I stayed at the front door.  When he got about 10 steps away he turned and said to me, "I could have killed you." 

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I did not respond except to prepare to greet the people who were just driving up to see the house.

Let's be careful out there!

 
Post is included in group: RealtorsĀ®
Post is included in group: Investors
Post is included in group: Real Estate Investing
Post is included in group: Property Management
Post is included in group: "Whacked"!!!

37 Comments on My Scariest Day in Real Estate

Yeah I have found people in a house before, I think they were in it doing drugs. You have to be careful

05/07/2008 11:57 PM by Spokane Real Estate - Ross Quintana (Team Quintana Real Estate - MJ McAdams Realty Lic#3015)


Wow , that is certainly a heads up for anyone of us to watch out for this sort thing happening.

05/07/2008 11:57 PM by San Diego Real Estate Voice authored by William Johnson GRI CRS e-PRO (RE/MAX Associates)


Wow, that is scary.  I worry sometimes unlocking a vacant home before my buyers arrive...I definitely won't do that anymore!

05/08/2008 12:00 AM by Colorado Springs Realty Patricia Beck (Prudential Professional Realtors, GRI)


Wow, just goes to show you never know whats around the corner. So glad that this story had a happy ending.

05/08/2008 12:04 AM by Rob Baldwin, Santa Clarita REALTORĀ® (Pinnacle Estate Properties)


My heart is pounding just reading about what you went thru.  I think that I would have stepped out of the house and quickly as soon as I saw that the sliding door was open.  Glad the intruder co-operated with you!

05/08/2008 12:09 AM by Roswell Georgia Real Estate Agent - Nancy Rivera (RE/MAX Leading Edge in Roswell Ga)


I think I would have not went trapesing through the house by myself! But hey... I am a girl!

05/08/2008 12:12 AM by Susan Davis, Realtor~Van Buren, Fort Smith, AR Real Estate (Exit Realty Fort Smith)


Wow this is a pretty scarey storey and it could happen to any of us.  Thanks for sharing.

05/08/2008 12:16 AM by Pam Winterbauer ~ 2006 REALTORĀ® of the Year (Windermere Welcome Home)


Robert, that is scary, you handled it well, but you're right, we need to watch ourselves!

05/08/2008 12:17 AM by Tony & Darcy Cannon - The C Team (ERA Realty Center)


Robert, wow, that is scary. So true with him following you it gave him an advantage. Thank God you are safe. Good lesson to all Professionals out there. Thanks for sharing.

05/08/2008 12:33 AM by Duane Marlink, Rate A Home (Rate A Home)


OK, you got my attention.  I was showing REO homes to my client and we went into one house and could hear something in another part of the house.  She wanted to keep looking around and I said 'We're outa here, NOW!'  I may be a chicken, but I don't want to take the chance.  

05/08/2008 01:14 AM by Phoenix Arizona Real Estate ~ Doreen McPherson (Keller Williams Arizona Realty ~ Scottsdale ~ Tempe)


I have learned since this happened to be very aware of my surroundings when entering vacant homes.  It is a scary world out there.

05/08/2008 01:45 AM by Robert Machado, CPM MPM Sacramento Area Property Manager and Property Management (HomePointe Property Management, CRMC)


I hate going in vacant houses alone. This is why. I am glad he didn't hurt you.

05/08/2008 07:40 AM by Assist-2-Sell, Home Buyers & Sellers Realty, Inc.


I lickily have noe experienced that yet.  Its only a matter of time im sure.  The worst I encountered was an angry racoon that stood its ground and make me run. 

05/08/2008 09:45 AM by Chad Baird (Re/Max Spirit)


Mary and Michelle:  I have not figured out how to avoid going into vacant houses and still making a living in real estate.

Chad:  Animals can be scary too. 

05/08/2008 10:55 AM by Robert Machado, CPM MPM Sacramento Area Property Manager and Property Management (HomePointe Property Management, CRMC)


With so many vacant homes out their right now I always insist my wife take me or another person with her when showing a vacant home. Here in our resort area it is not uncommon for a ski bum to use a vacant house for the summer if no one is around. Robert I thank God you were alright.

05/08/2008 11:01 AM by Jason & Deanna Long Breckenridge Real Estate (The Long Group)


Wow. Great reminder to pay attention to those little signs that all is not well. I'm glad it turned out okay for you.

05/08/2008 12:19 PM by Lisa Lambert, Esq. (1031 Exchange Expert) (1031 Exchanges - Asset Preservation, Inc.)


That is so scarey.  I am very cautious so I hope not to end up confronting someone. Glad it worked out.

05/08/2008 01:10 PM by Carol Judd , Vernal Utah Real Estate (Century 21 Dart Realty)


Wow - that is scary!! I carry a Maglite flashlight with me on showings.  It weighs ALOT and it about a foot long - but it wouldn't be any help if someone had a gun..... 

05/08/2008 03:57 PM by April Hayden-Munson Realtor, Southeastern Wisconsin (RE/MAX Realty 100)


 

 

I am so glad you told this story and so glad you are ok!

 

Steve

 

05/08/2008 05:17 PM by Obeoman Steven Stearns (www.obeo.com)


So, once you swallowed your heart, I assume you were alright.

05/08/2008 08:22 PM by JL Boney, III (Russell and Jeffcoat)


It all turned out fine, the guy just walked away.  Since then I am very careful when entering vacant homes.

05/08/2008 09:47 PM by Robert Machado, CPM MPM Sacramento Area Property Manager and Property Management (HomePointe Property Management, CRMC)


Had an incident like this on vacant rental property. Since I knew it was vacant, I always walk around the property first and took note of anything out of normal. Back window was busted. I called the police and waited outside. They pulled out a male. Said he was sleeping on the floor. They arrested him. Court date went 30 days later and he stayed in jail the whole time.

Thought maybe he was homeless and just needed a place to stay. Turns out he worked as a pizza delivery guy. Strange, I didn't order pizza that day. He was drunk and needed a place to sober up (or drink for the night). Luckily, I have at least someone keep a look out and canvase the area before going in. I trust no area to be safe and sound.

05/08/2008 11:08 PM by Michael DiFlora (Real Living Realty Services)


You were smarter than me.  But your guy was drunk and mine just got cornered in the back of the house.  Happy endings all around.

05/09/2008 12:26 AM by Robert Machado, CPM MPM Sacramento Area Property Manager and Property Management (HomePointe Property Management, CRMC)


Wow, congratulations on handling that so calmly. Thanks for sharing...

05/10/2008 08:56 PM by Bill Dowell Condo Assoc. Management in Worcester, MA (Worcester Property Management LLC)


I don't know why agents always leave the drapes/blinds closed - I ALWAYS open them and keep them open for vacant properties so that I can see inside and neighbors can see if someone is inside.  Prospects can walk around and check throught the windows.

Kudos to you for your quick thinking AND for keeping your head.

05/11/2008 07:34 PM by Wallace S. Gibson CPM (Gibson Management Group, Ltd.)


Good thing you remained calm.  Not sure I could have!

05/12/2008 09:28 AM by Sandra Workman ABR, CNHS, QSC, RCC (Speckman Realty Inc., GMAC)


Your quick thinking helped control the matter because you were in charge.  My wife and I had a real close call at a car wash when we stopped to wash her car so it would look nice for her to show property the next day.  The only way we were able to survive the attempted car jacking was because we stayed calm and were in charge even though the guy was about 6' 5" and me at 5' 6".

05/13/2008 03:34 PM by Don Eichler (Eichler Properties)


I think most criminals are not really ready for someone to stand up to them.  Of course, it all depends on what weapon they are carrying.

05/26/2008 01:55 PM by Robert Machado, CPM MPM Sacramento Area Property Manager and Property Management (HomePointe Property Management, CRMC)


Whoa!  Scary.  That is why, as women, we do the buddy system.  ~Debbie

 

05/28/2008 03:21 PM by Mike Wilmers & Co: Mike & Debbie Wilmers & Leah Woolsey (RE/MAX Heritage Homes)


Another good idea is to cary mace or some other type of personal defense system.

06/08/2008 05:25 PM by Brian Kreick (Connect Realty)


Robert, I'm scared just from reading you post.  Nice eye opener for all of us.  Mike

07/03/2008 09:52 AM by Mike Miller (Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, Inc.)


That gave me chills.  I hope it never happens to me.  I am sorry it happened to you.

07/03/2008 10:03 AM by Melody Botting RE/MAX Empire Realty


WOW! It is great to hear that you are ok and we are not reading about this in an advise column from NAR or in the paper. This is a great reminder to all of us that it is a somethimes sick world we live in and we all need to be careful. Thanks for the post and the reminder.

07/03/2008 10:07 AM by Zachry Feuer (Ashby Realty Group)


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Property Manager: Robert Machado, CPM MPM Sacramento Area Property Manager and Property Management (HomePointe Property Management, CRMC)
Robert Machado, CPM MPM Sacramento Area Property Manager and Property Management
Sacramento, CA
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HomePointe Property Management, CRMC

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