PSA: Agents BE Careful When Showing Properties to Unknown Buyers

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PSA: Agents BE Careful When Showing Properties to Unknown Buyers

Mindy JensenPro Member
BiggerPockets Money Podcast Host 路 Longmont, CO 路 Member since 2014 路 7k+ posts 路 10k+ votes

The Colorado Division of Real Estate issued a warning, reminding agents to be cautious when meeting a new buyer for the first time.

Please exercise caution. There is no amount of money worth your life.

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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
Moderator
Real Estate Broker 路 Cody, WY 路 Member since 2010 路 28k+ posts 路 41k+ votes
7y

I live in a very rural area where properties can be 1-2 hours from the neighbors and in remote locations, particularly up in the mountains where cell phone signals don't exist. I tell agents to meet the client in the office and have the secretary make a copy of their ID and write the schedule in a log (it's fake). We make sure they know that we know who they are and that they are with the agent. That would stop 99% of these incidents.

For me, I prefer a tool that works well on people and Grizzly.

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  • Brittany Anderson
    NJ 路 Member since 2019 路 5 posts 路 4 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Dion Rainey: I'm happy it all went well for you. Thanks Dion

    @Brittany Anderson You must seriously take it into consideration.  In 18 years in Real Estate, I can't tell you how many properties I've walked into and encountered someone who wasn't legally supposed to be in the property. Most of the encounters were uneventful but there's a few that were close calls and could have gone very wrong!

    1Reply
  • Karen MargraveBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Realtor, General Contractor, and Developer 路 Redding, CA 路 Member since 2009 路 7k+ posts 路 4k+ votes
    7y

    Not only is it a good idea to learn how to shoot a gun, and have your concealed carry permit, but learning self defense would help too. Remember, the person that's going to attack someone already has a plan plotted out and even possibly someone with them hiding out,so you're at a huge disadvantage.  Also, make sure you have your doors locked, so that when you pull in someone doesn't hop in the backseat and overpower you. Definitely not going alone to vacant homes or parcels of land is the best policy, and making sure someone knows where you are. 

    The truth is, most real estate agents aren't thinking about safety, but marketing. They put their photos, phone numbers, everywhere., Be safe! 

    @Brittany Anderson

    1Reply
  • Brittany Anderson
    NJ 路 Member since 2019 路 5 posts 路 4 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Karen Margrave:  Thankfully I have you all this was helpful @ Karen margrave 

    Not only is it a good idea to learn how to shoot a gun, and have your concealed carry permit, but learning self defense would help too. Remember, the person that's going to attack someone already has a plan plotted out and even possibly someone with them hiding out,so you're at a huge disadvantage.  Also, make sure you have your doors locked, so that when you pull in someone doesn't hop in the backseat and overpower you. Definitely not going alone to vacant homes or parcels of land is the best policy, and making sure someone knows where you are. 

    The truth is, most real estate agents aren't thinking about safety, but marketing. They put their photos, phone numbers, everywhere., Be safe! 

    @Brittany Anderson

    1Reply
  • Daren H.
    Real Estate Investor 路 Desoto, TX 路 Member since 2013 路 560 posts 路 528 votes
    7y

    People shoot cops sometimes, and cops carry guns every day. Cops shoot innocent people sometimes, who don't  carry a gun at all. Guns aren't always the answer to your safety or others safety. Nothing against guns, but there lots of other preventative measures IMO before we get to guns.

    1Reply
  • Billy Smith
    Shawnee Mission, KS 路 Member since 2016 路 719 posts 路 313 votes
    7y

    I carry a 9mm when showing to strangers 

    0Reply
  • Dave G.
    Investor 路 Phoenix, AZ 路 Member since 2016 路 349 posts 路 418 votes
    7y

    @Brandon Ellis - check out the Kel Tec Sub 2000 Glock 17. I just purchased one and it is a great gun. And they are actually pretty affordable (look at Palmetto State Armory or Kentucky Gun Company) at ~$400.

    But back to this thread, this weapon would clearly not work for concealed carry and I doubt you could unfold it and chamber a round in time to fire at a charging bear.

    0Reply
  • Brandon Ellis
    Member since 2018 路 44 posts 路 6 votes
    7y

    @dave 

    @Dave G. - Sweet!! I want one!!   Somewhere out there, there is a video with folks from a Gun manufacturer.  I can't remember the name but they took a 240b machine gun and put a handle and trigger on it like a chain saw.  This was purely for fun and fire from the hip weapon.  They said it was surprisingly accurate.  

    Ahh Just found it:  https://youtu.be/W2H2peoX174

    0Reply
  • Eleanor Decker
    Real Estate Agent 路 Buffalo, NY 路 Member since 2018 路 11 posts 路 3 votes
    7y

    Whenever I have open houses on large properties or absolutely must meet a client for the first time, outside of the office (usually due to a disability or rural location), I'd typically bring  my husband along. The clients never seemed to mind as he often gives valuable input from an insurance broker's point of view. Even if he couldn't make it, I'd bring someone else along to cover my six. I always let someone know where I am going, who I'm meeting, and what time they should here ack from me. I know many Realtors who request ID's as well. 

    1Reply
  • Vicente Kaipat
    Clarksville, TN 路 Member since 2014 路 6 posts 路 0 votes
    7y

    @Steve K.馃槅馃ぃ

    0Reply
  • Mary B.
    Real Estate Investor 路 Lansdowne, PA 路 Member since 2013 路 1k+ posts 路 656 votes
    7y

    Definitely in agreement with Eleanor Decker's method. Bring someone along is a great choice, if at all possible. However, I'm also in strong agreement with the licensed ccw approach too. if at all possible, bring the person and the ccw. make sure you bring someone that will have your back and can assist you if necessary. being able to identify the perp after they've battered/killed you is important in the eyes of justice, yet its not really preventative. hopefully most realize the difference. if someone has malicious tendencies towards a real estate agency/sales people, r.e. investor its the preventative measures that could save your life and that matters most. the reality is as many people that are in prison...there are a lot of sick people loose in the public of anytown usa. we all have access to phones to try to dial 911 but the opportunity may not be available. self-defense is first priority in my book.

    kudos,

    Mary 

    0Reply
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