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NOOO, not my Drugs & Jewelry!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 DRE# ER40011786

Thieves

 

It is a little sad in today's times we have to be so careful, rather than just doing our job!   There was a day we would not hesitate to sit in an open house even if it was vacant, not think anything of all the strangers walking around in this property.     You would have never given it much of a second thought!



In the last wee, the police have given Realtors more warnings in the Denver Metro Area that there are thieves running a muck once again.     They are targeting resale homes where sellers are still residing during open houses.    They separate, and rummage through master bedrooms for jewelry, money and drugs.      They have possibly caught the two that were flagrant, but how many more are out there?

A couple of years ago there were thieves looking for drugs in the master bathroom, hall baths and linen closets for pain killers, and ADD medicine.      It is sad when you need to sit down with sellers, preparing them for listing their home, and to make sure their valuable jewelry, medicine and documents with personal information is kept hidden.      Times are a changing..... 
  

Posted by

Joan Cox
Broker/Owner, REALTOR®
House to Home, Inc.

Serving the Denver Metro area including all suburbs


Helping Buyers and Sellers achieve their real estate dreams, one house at a time!

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Comments(16)

Peggy Hughes/pha logistix, inc.
pha logistix inc - San Francisco, CA
SF NYC LA

Hi Joan, yes, it is very sad that scrupulous people take advantage of every opportunity.  Even in vacant properties that are staged are being hit.  A friend of mine in NY had her staged home completely emptied... thank goodness her stager had proper insurance!

Jan 31, 2011 11:09 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

I always tell my clients to secure their valuables and any perscriptions.  You just never know and even though buyers agents are supposed to be accompanying their clients as they tour the home but if they aren't it only takes a second for someone to slip something into their pockets.

Jan 31, 2011 11:59 AM
Shar Sitter
Rooms With Style - Minneapolis, MN
Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis/ St. Paul, M

On all my home staging consultations I always tell them to hide their pain meds and anything valuable or sentimental. I don't want them to be scared but I want them to be aware, strangers are in their homes.

Jan 31, 2011 01:20 PM
Pat Haddad, ABR, CRS, ePRO, GRI
Keller Williams Indianapolis Metro NE - Carmel, IN
Carmel, Fishers, Westfield IN Real Estate Expert

Joan--Sellers are always shocked to hear about the medicines---but once it is mentioned and they think about it, they get it.  It is a different world!!

Jan 31, 2011 02:10 PM
Tim Peterson
Wisconsin Realtor Safety and Concealed Carry Classes - Madison, WI
Realtor Safety Training Classes

That is scary-we actually had a realtor Killed here a few years ago showing a vacant home

Jan 31, 2011 04:45 PM
Ginny Gorman
RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI
Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Joan, it is a fact...so that's one of the first discussions I have with the sellers after we sign the listing papers....

Jan 31, 2011 10:52 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Peggy, it is very sad how we just cannot keep ourselves or our client's possessions safe anymore!

Feb 01, 2011 02:44 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Cindy, I agree, another tip for sellers - if it is valuable, and can go into a pocket, pack it!

Feb 01, 2011 02:45 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Shar, it is sad when you need to warn them about all this, I usually get very wide eyes, but they do need to be warned!

Feb 01, 2011 02:46 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Pat, yep, times are a changing!

Feb 01, 2011 02:47 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Tim, when Realtors are killed while showing, it does hit the news, and so sad!    There were a couple in New Mexico not too long ago either.

Feb 01, 2011 02:48 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Ginny, We would not be doing a great job if we did not have this conversation with sellers while they are still residing in the property!

Feb 01, 2011 02:48 AM
Joyce Godwin, Realtor, CRS
RE/MAX Elite Properties; Serving Cypress, Spring, Tomball, NW Houston - Houston, TX
RE/MAX Elite Properties

Joan, I always tell them to hide or better yet remove anything like jewelry, coin (and other) collections, drugs, credit cards, etc, -- anything valuable that could be picked up without an agent noticing.  And also not to leave loose money laying around.  It's sad we have to say that to them, isn't it. 

Feb 05, 2011 07:06 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Joyce, this is always a good idea to remind our sellers of these important facts.   It always amazes me when showing a home, and they these things laying around.   I always make a note and when sending feedback, let the listing agent know.

Feb 06, 2011 06:08 AM
Liz Flint
Century 21 Hardee-Team Realty - Houston, TX
Houston\Tomball Realtor (832)816-8066

Hi Joan, it is sad, but thanks for the reminder of how careful we need to be.

Feb 19, 2011 06:18 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Liz, it IS sad things have changed so much, and we have to be so careful!

Feb 21, 2011 11:42 AM