This Recently Happened To One Of Our Agents!

 

On March 26th, Molly posted her story:

“REALTORS: be careful out there! I was out showing homes to an out of town buyer today. We had a list of 8 homes to see. After we got to the 6th house, they said “Molly, I think we’re being followed. I noticed that same car has been following us since 2 houses ago.” I responded, “Really, who?” They pointed to the car. A blue Acura TL. The car was parked pretty far away at a distance. I said, “if you see them again, take a photo of their license plate” Then we go into the house. From inside the house, I was looking out of the window, and just as I was, I see that blue Acura TL come down the street, then made a U-turn and left. I thought that was weird, but it had left so I paid it no mind. We left that house and went onto the next one. As I was driving, I was sure to look in my rearview mirror and didn’t see any car following us. When we arrived at the next house, my clients mentioned the same, that they thought they left. We parked and went inside the house. I’m still looking outside again, and just 1 minute later, I see that same car roll by. I go outside to catch the license plate but they were already gone, and we found that they had smashed my client’s rear passenger window, and stolen some of their personal belongings from the car. I asked all the neighbors if we could look at some of their camera’s. The neighbor said from looking at the video, it happened in less than 30 seconds. Unfortunately, the camera quality did not show the license plate nor the face clearly. Ugh, there are bad people out there, makes me sick. I still have chills from it. What a crazy day.”

Thank you to our C21 Sacramento agent, Molly Mai, for allowing us to share her story so that others may be able to learn from it. Always be aware of your surroundings! How can you take steps to make sure you are protected? Read on!

10 Tips for Holding a Safe Open House

1. If possible, always try to have at least one other person working with you at the open house.
2. Check your cell phone’s strength and signal prior to the open house. Have emergency numbers programmed on speed dial.
3. Upon entering a house for the first time, check all rooms and determine several “escape” routes. Make sure all deadbolt locks are unlocked to facilitate a faster escape.
4. Make sure that if you were to escape by the back door, you could escape from the backyard. Frequently, high fences surround yards that contain swimming pools or hot tubs.
5. Have all open house visitors sign in. Ask for full name, address, phone number and email.
6. When showing the house, always walk behind the prospect. Direct them; don’t lead them. Say, for example, “The kitchen is on your left,” and gesture for them to go ahead of you.
7. Avoid attics, basements, and getting trapped in small rooms.
8. Notify someone in your office, a friend or a relative that you will be calling in every hour on the hour. And if you don’t call, they are to call you.
9. Inform a neighbor that you will be showing the house, invite them to your open house, and ask if he or she would keep an eye and ear open for anything out of the ordinary.
10. Don’t assume that everyone has left the premises at the end of an open house. Check all of the rooms and the backyard prior to locking the doors.

Source: NAR

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