My Heart Aches for Beverly Carter

It's just heartbreaking. I read online today about an agent who said she always tells someone where she's going and what time, if she's showing a stranger a property by herself. Tragically, Beverly did just that and it didn't protect her. It may help investigators, but it won't prevent something from happening. I think every agent needs to carry at least some kind of weapon and prequalifying clients is crucial.

I completely agree. My business partner and I are always there foreach other. We also have safety protocols. Take a self defense class, be aware, be safe.

I agree with you and do not do open houses.  It feels like being a sitting duck and completely exposed.  I am so sad for this young woman and her family.  Prayers going up for them.

What a sad day this is to have a fellow Realtor life taken what a tragedy this is. Sad day indeed. Prayer sent to her family May we all take heed to this and not go out alone. 

It's too sad that a tragedy like this has to happen in order for us to get a wake up call!  

I had not thought about the whole vulnerability while unlocking the door but you guys are correct. Notebook tucked under an arm foot holding screen door open while opening the lock box or concentrating on the ekey operation. Yup, sitting ducks whether male or female. I have a confession. As a male I have become complacent about safety because hey... who bothers older men, they are not particularly sexy right... but these crazy people might be looking to have power over someone whether male female. It might not be about sex anyways, just violence. I am going to rethink my personal policy. Certianly being more aware.  Another thought is to get there early and pop the lockbox off and unlock the door. Walk up and say after you sir... ask you touch your steel friend. 

I hope all offices/agents make it a practice of meeting the buyers/sellers at the office first and getting a copy of their driver's license.  If we all did this, then the bad guys would know that an agents is not going to run out to show a house without meeting and getting idea.

It is heartbreaking death of a young beautiful woman....

So sad...

Prayers and deepest sympathy to her family.

Such heartbreaking news! Saftey of yourself & loved ones must come before the almighty dollar :|

This is such a tragedy.  We all need to be vigilent and remember safety first. No sale is worth the risk. 

I'd love to say that we've never done what Beverly did, but we have.  It's the nature of the beast.  It has changed though.  

I like the way you just say it. Time to wake up Realtors.

An awareness is the first practical step and it appears you are steppin!

As a new agent in 2006, all I heard was be careful, so I let the receptionist and my broker at that time know when I was showing property. One day a guy walks into the office and gave me and everyone else the creeps. Asked a couple agents if one would go with me. "No he gives me the creeps." Well Duh! I went and showed. I was nervous and a little shaky. I told him it was my very first day on the job (I lied). I did call my husband and let him know also where I was. He stopped by said he was in the area. The guy was not happy.  The guy called me later to look at another. It was Friday night when he called. Told my husband he was going with me and explained who it was. Not a problem. The guy was po'd when he saw my husband was with me again.  Never saw him after that. He called my broker at that time and complained and she asked him why he was so upset because it was not unusual for agents to be accompanied by other agents or their spouses or friends.

I will take the safety pledge today- right now! Why today you ask?  Well WHAT did I just do yesterday.. Met a new buyer from out of state went to a dead end road to show a empty home,  I was the first one there. SO I was parked so I could not get out if I wanted to.. SO I will most certainly rethink where I park, whom I am meeting.. and let people know where I am always! .. ( this one I did do ) but what good is it after the fact, as Beverly did just that let her husband know.. SO she must of felt uneasy with this guy? Or was that her protocol?  Either way I am so sorry to her dear family, friends and co -workers.

Prayers go out to Beverly Carter's family and friends.  I am currently evaluating some of my procedures now to keep me safe.  Someone once told me to make sure someone knows where you are going and who you are going with.  The thing is someone will know who did it, but that won't help me, if they have already killed me.  You need to have the protection before it happens.

Emmary -- Beverly and her family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Agents who meet people they don't know alone or host open houses alone or work in new construction trailers or model homes alone are always taking a chance.  I had a 'scare' ONCE many years ago and it was the LAST time.  I do not meet anyone who I have never met alone,  and I never host an open house by myself. 

This is really scary part of life maybe. Let's lift each other up. :) Love and light!

I echo your thoughts and sentiments.  I require new contacts to come into the office with a letter from their lender, a signed buyer representation agreement, and a copy of their driver's license.  Safety first, real estate second.

There are things we can all do to protect ourselves better.  But the reality is there will always be evil and bad things will happen.