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When you Need to Find Someone - Sleuthing!

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Industry Observer DRE# ER40011786
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As REALTORs we have Forewarn to assist us and keep us safe.   We can see whether or not that person has criminal infractions, and whether we should even meet up with them.   With many REALTORs having been killed or attacked, this is SO important!

I use ExactDial and Forewarn to know as much about that person on the other end of the phone!

Recently I decided to put a few things on Facebook Marketplace, which I was VERY nervous about!   I thought it was sort of like a garage sale, so put things WAY below market value, and had probably 40-50 contacts over last weekend.

OMG, I had two people that shocked me!   One had over 100 criminal infractions, and one had 74!   Looking at the FB profile, I would have never thought that.  Good thing for these programs!

I sold 3 items over last weekend, and will know better now, to price them closer to fair market value, not garage sale prices.   I do have LOTS to sell over the next few months.

 

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Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate that is a great strategy, and may need to do that.   The furniture and higher-priced items are not getting the eyeballs that the small stuff priced less is getting.  THX!

Jul 13, 2025 12:17 PM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Brian Skaar that is so sad she was trying to take advantage of you, and you were so willing to help.   Just makes me sad our society has gone downhill so fast!

Jul 13, 2025 12:18 PM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Kris Collis, Associate Broker Exactdial and Forewarn are the two I use all the time.   Then after I get more info from these two, I check LinkedIn and Google to see what else pops up.  There are probably other programs, I just don't know of them.

Jul 13, 2025 12:20 PM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 it is so sad we are seeing so many scammers!  They take away from our real work!  Good luck to you.   I luckily have not had any of my listings affected, that I know of.

Jul 13, 2025 12:21 PM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Lise Howe they are, and getting more and more anxious!   Moving out of the Country where I will know no one is pretty scary.   BUT, I keep thinking of WHY I am moving, and all the countries I will be closer to to explore!

Jul 13, 2025 12:22 PM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Mike, until you start doing these things, you have no idea.

Jul 13, 2025 12:23 PM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Paula, and there are plenty to go around, for sure!

Jul 13, 2025 12:23 PM
Philip A. Raices
Turn Key Real Estate - Great Neck, NY
1 of the Most Knowledgeable Brokers on the Net!

Hi Joan, I appreciate your info on those two sites, which will help me and my agents check on specific clients whom we might not feel a good vibe about.  In today's world, some desperate individuals will resort to illegal or even fatal activities against another person.  It can be a terrifying environment out there if one isn't careful, especially for lady Realtors and men too.

Jul 14, 2025 11:48 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Philip A. Raices I think women more so, but a few men have been attacked also.  We just cannot be too careful.  Thank you for stopping by today!

Jul 14, 2025 01:17 PM
J.R. Schloemer
Kentucky Select Properties - Louisville, KY

Always price things what they are worth! Those that know their worth, will pay it, or make an offer close to what the market would expect. Always have a central meeting place (police stations often times have FB/Online Sales spots with video monitoring for parties) to make the exchange. Once you remove your personal property from the situation, the criminals typically disappear, because there is no property to case, at least that has been the case for my mother.

Jul 14, 2025 01:32 PM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

J.R. Schloemer wish I could do that, I have furniture, filing cabinets, storage shelves and a treadmill.    I have them priced at HALF price, and some of these items haven't been sat on or just about new.

Jul 14, 2025 01:42 PM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Joan Cox I have a friend who helps me sell everything on the marketplace. I would not have the courage to meet strangers at my home these days. Good for you on using these tools. 

Jul 14, 2025 03:18 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Joan:

These are great tools to use. It's a shame we have to be so cautious but better safe (and curious) than sorry.

Jeff

Jul 15, 2025 08:09 PM
Dinah Stallworth-Lewis
Priority Real Estate LLC - 318.332.8281 - Natchitoches, LA
NATCHITOCHES, LA HOMES FOR SALE

Joan,

I use Forewarn also, it is a great tool for realtors.   I've never heard of ExactDial.  I will have to check that one out.   Good luck and be safe when selling your items on Facebook Market Place.   

Jul 17, 2025 08:08 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Hannah, it is still scary.   I have a small appliance that someone wants, and will meet her in a public location.

Jul 17, 2025 08:36 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Jeff, it is a shame we have to be so cautious, so many scammers out there.

Jul 17, 2025 08:37 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Dinah Stallworth-Lewis Exactdial will give you their home address, some phone numbers and email addresses.

Jul 17, 2025 08:38 AM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375
Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty - Love our Great City - Love our Clients! Buckhead - Midtown - Westside - Atlanta, GA
Concierge Service for Our Atlanta Sellers & Buyers

Joan Cox 
Safety first (and second, etc.)
Having both ExactDial and Forewarn...
Great way to be sure you are safe. Lynn

Nov 28, 2025 11:45 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Typically we don't have a phone number when using FB Marketplace and selling things. But I've always been a good detective, so we have our ways to find what we need. Forewarn is a great resource for Realtors.

Jan 20, 2026 08:07 AM
Ricardo Mello
Manhattan Miami Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
Manhattan & Miami Real Estate Agent

Thanks for sharing!

Apr 22, 2026 08:47 PM
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