Its never good when the caller says -- This is the Fire Department

Some of the responsibility that comes with a listing (especially if it is vacant) are calls -- from neighbors or the FIRE DEPARTMENT.

I just listed a condo last week that was vacant, and tonight on the way home from dinner I got a call (and did not SAY who it was), so good thing I answered!   It was the fire department stating they got a call stating the fire alarm was going off in my condo listing.   If it was the battery, it would be chirping, and so would the CO detector.  Called my seller and said they want to break down the door, OK to give them the lockbox?   Of course they said YES.

For some reason the combo smoke/CO detector was going off, so the fire department took the battery out of it, and locked the door and left.  WHEW.....the place wasn't on fire.   We just got it under contract!  Talking to the Seller, this was a new CO detector, and they think it must be defective, as it was new in the last month!  

This is a good reason to HAVE a sign on a property, especially if it is vacant.  I have had Sellers ask that no ask be put in the yard, but here is a great reason why you should!    They would have broke down the door and the Seller would have had some damage to take care of due to a defective smoke/CO detector!