I have had some discussion very recently about being approached by occupants and neighbors while taking pictures of homes for BPOs. I would love to hear feedback from my fellow Realtors who do BPOs, what your reactions are when you are approached by people while you are trying to get pictures. As you know, in Texas, EVERYONE owns a gun (I'm kidding of course but they could) and so most of the responses I get from the general public are, I have every right to know why you are in my neighborhood taking pictures of my house or my neighbors but do they really have that right? If it happens to you, what, if anything, do you say to them? What are your reactions to someone approaching your vehicle? I'd love to hear from you.
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RETIRED - Florence, OR
RETIRED
Tell them why you are there, it will be public info shortly anyway. Never know when it just might produce a new lead. Maybe they are thinking of selling or know a buyer for it. Can't blame them for a neighborhood watch.
Mar 28, 2012 11:40 PM
Shinsky & Assoc - Azle, TX
Broker, GRI, SFR, e-Pro
Unfortunately, most of the time, you as the agent, don't know why you are there. The banks do not give you this information a lot of times because they are concerned it will affect your values. I have tried the polite approach and sometimes it works but often times it is the aggressive person that I get stuck talking to :-/. I don't blame the neighborhood watch at all, I just don't know how safe it is for either party.
Mar 28, 2012 11:53 PM
Janisch & Co. - Conroe, TX
Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
I've had owners who know they are in trouble follow me down the street in their car to ask what we were doing. I usually tell them we are doing neighborhood valuations on various properties for the appraisal district. If pressed for proof I tell them that I'm not allowed to show that to them.
Mar 29, 2012 12:03 AM
Shinsky & Assoc - Azle, TX
Broker, GRI, SFR, e-Pro
I usually tell them if they are truly concerned they should call the police and NOT approach te vehicle. What if I were a murderer? My 6'8 husband was approached by an aggressive woman once, he told her she wasn't very smart, even if she was concerned for her children, he could have been a rapist or worse. How is approaching him protecting her kids if he kills her? Put it in REAL prospective for her.
Mar 29, 2012 12:30 AM
Rainer
96,803
96,803
Nita Shinsky
Broker, GRI, SFR, e-Pro
Comments(4)