Special offer

What else can happen?

By
Real Estate Agent with Realty Professionals, Inc.

I blogged a few months ago about a house I had just listed that is a foreclosure property. Look at http://activerain.com/blogsview/636586/COPPER-Theft for all of the details on the damage to the house. 

This property is rural and down a long gravel road and is very secluded.  I finally get a contract on the house and we are scheduled to close tomorrow.  I get a call about 10 am this morning from the selling agent stating that the buyer went out to the house and there is a white truck parked in the driveway and a duffel bag lying against a tree by the truck.  I told her that I will go out and see if I can find out what is going on.  I had a lunch meeting and felt it would be ok to check on it after the meeting since there would be a chance that I wouldn't make it back in time if I had went out prior to the meeting.  I just got out of my lunch meeting and on my way back to the office, the selling agent calls me again.  She told me that the buyer got the license plate and found out who it belonged to and called the owner about why their truck was there.  To her surprise, the owner told her that the truck was reported stolen about a week ago.  The buyer then called her agent and that agent in turned contacted me. 

I told the agent that I will be contacting the Sheriffs office and have them meet me out there.  I called the Sheriff Department to request assistance in checking out the house and investigating the truck.  I was told that the owner of the truck just called and they were dispatching an officer as we were speaking.  I told her I was on my way and would bring the key to the house to check it out as well.  WOW, what excitement!

When I arrived at the house, there were three Sheriffs vehicle and four officers.  We searched the house and thankfully there was no more damage.  It was in fact the truck that was reported stolen about a week ago.  The officers called in CID (criminal investigation division) and they soon showed up to do finger prints and search the vehicle and the duffel bag for evidence.  The duffel bag had the probably suspects clothes in it along with some personal information on them.  They took that into evidence and called the owner to come get the truck or did he want them to have it towed.  The owner finally showed up about 20 minutes later and put air in one tire and put some gas in the tank and we all drove back to work.

This was an interesting two hours.  The thing I though about is that I probably would have checked it out on my own.  This would be dangerous because you never know what you might walk into.  I thought about that because our Board of Realtors recently sponsored a Realtor safety training and it was told that on the average, 9 Realtors get killed every year. 

Keep Safe Out There!!!

I am a Realtor in Searcy, Arkansas and I sell new homes, existing homes, commercial property, farms and land as well as manage and own rental properties. If you are looking for real estate for an investment or a home, I will be glad to assist you! You can call my personal cell number at 501-278-7659 or e-mail me at Larry@Searcy4Sale.com.  Visit my website at http://www.searcy4sale.com/

Donna Schoby
Liberty Bank of Arkansas - Bentonville, AR

Larry, Our local board had the same meeting about safety. I'm sure you know that Jim Furr the president of the Arkansas Realtors Association was attached this year while putting up a sign. You just never know. When I first started staging I would run off to an appointment to look at a home and not tell anyone where I was going. Then it hit me one day, that was not very smart.

I hope you get closed without anymore mishaps.

Stay safe!

Nov 13, 2008 11:14 AM
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Larry, what a house!  So many things happen.  Did you see the blog I wrote about people liking seclusion, including thieves?  It was in reference to this house.  I'm glad it's sold!!

Nov 13, 2008 11:52 AM
Julie A. Black
KAUAI DREAMS REALTY Kauai Real Property Specialist - Kapaa, HI
CLHMS, CRS, GRI, Realtor, Broker

Real Estate is never boring. Stay safe. Julie

Nov 13, 2008 12:44 PM
Anonymous
safetyandsecuritysource.com

I am a real estate agent safety trainer and happy to see someone utilize law enforcement as they should. Many people are too embarrassed to call, just in case nothing is wrong and they get embarrassed. Safety should always come first. Let law enforcement do their jobs, they will thank you.

Agents, if you choose to carry a safety product, keep it accesible and visible. If you carry pepper spray, remember it expires after about 2-3 years. You should always test your spray at least once a year, but more importantly right after purchase. Be familiar with it and know that it will work when you need it. More than anything, trust your instinct. If it feels wrong, don't talk yourself out of that feeling, trust it, belive in it and get out of that situation.

I would love to hear about the safety programs that people have attended already. What was the trainer's background? Did they discuss real estate agent training specifically; how to screen, safe open houses, etc.? Was the information helpful? Who sponsored the program, your office or association? Was there a charge? Thank you for the feedback.

Nov 13, 2008 02:30 PM
#4
Mary PAUL, ABR, CRS,GRI, e-PRO,
RE/MAX Advantage Realtors, Searcy, AR - Searcy, AR

Larry,

What an exciting life we Realtors have!!  Sounds like something on tv!  I think you handled it great, I would have called authorities too, we can't be too careful. 

Nov 14, 2008 02:41 AM
Larry DeGroat
Realty Professionals, Inc. - Searcy, AR
ABR, CRS, e-PRO, GRI in Searcy

Thanks for the comments and YES! it is now CLOSED!

The thing to remember also is that you don't need to get over confident because you have something to protect yourself.  Yes, I purchased this pepper spray that also has a mixture of tear gas and is suppose to be pretty bad.  I am 6'1" and feel like I can handle my own and as mentioned by one of the comments, Jim Furr is about my size and he got knocked out.  Sometimes you can't see it coming, always have back up.

The safety guy that came to our Board was Murray Hightower from Protection Against Crime and he did not charge our Board anything but he did have this spray for sale.  But he did a good job in telling us some defenses maneuvers along with the consequences if we use a lethal weapon like a gun.  All in all it was informative and I have had this on my mind and purchased his product for all of my family.

Nov 14, 2008 05:37 AM