BEWARE WHEN SHOWING PROPERTY!! ARKANSAS AGENT MISSING!

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BEWARE WHEN SHOWING PROPERTY!! ARKANSAS AGENT MISSING!

Karen MargraveBusiness Member
Moderator
Realtor, General Contractor, and Developer · Redding, CA · Member since 2009 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes

This is mostly for the women on BP, but, it is wise for men too. There's an Arkansas Realtor that went to show a property and hasn't been heard from since. Missing Realtor

As an agent over the years I have heard these stories before, and they are always horrific. Here's some advice especially for those in rural areas or rough neighborhoods:

1. NEVER go meet someone at a property if you haven't met them in person before.

2. ALWAYS have someone else go with you to meet people at a property.

3. Don't hold Open Houses alone.

4. Have some type of GPS tracking device, OTHER THAN YOUR PHONE!! It's a complicated process for Police to be able to track your phone without permission from YOU, not your spouse, parent, etc. There are many options that are inexpensive GPS TILE

5. If you're not opposed to it, get a concealed weapons permit and carry a gun! If not a gun, carry taser or ? 

6. If nothing else is available, make sure you have your keys with you, press the faub and set off an alarm, maybe someone will hear it! 

7. If you MUST go alone, let someone know where you are going, and check in (from your car) when you arrive safely maybe text a license plate number of the person you are meeting with. 

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Joel OwensBusiness Member
Moderator
Real Estate Broker · Canton, GA · Member since 2010 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
12y

Number 5 ONLY if you are going to practice diligently with the weapon so it becomes second nature like tying your shoes.

If you buy stuff thinking it will save you and it collects dust without practice then forget it. Actually the criminal will have more practice then you and use it against you.

Weapons are NOT just knives and guns.

Your belt, jewelry, keys, pens etc. can all be deadly weapons if you know how to use them. Hard spots on the ground, corners of buildings, rail bannisters, etc. Make use of your environment and what you have to survive.

Regular items such as guns and knives are classified as  weapons and as such are not allowed in many venues around where you live. Learn how to use your body first as it never leaves you. Then unconventional weapons that you are still likely to have with you at all times. Last the weapons you can't use or train with as often that are not allowed in most venues.

Decades in street self defense and the martial arts.

No legal advice.  

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  • Derek Torculas
    Specialist · Redding, CA · Member since 2015 · 89 posts · 16 votes
    10y

    Good Pointers Karen, Thanks for the heads up!

    0Reply
  • Loretta Gandara
    Hawkinsville, GA · Member since 2016 · 2 posts · 0 votes
    10y

    Thanks for the tips..

    0Reply
  • Denise Turnipseed
    Lawrenceville, GA · Member since 2016 · 13 posts · 2 votes
    10y

    Thanks for making us aware.  It's important to take precautions.

    0Reply
  • Lorin K.
    Tacoma, WA · Member since 2015 · 141 posts · 29 votes
    9y

    Once, I did security for a Police station. The officer had his K-9 in the back of the car. If he was ever in danger, all he had to do is press the button on his belt or chest, and a linear motor would open the door and his k-9 would come out of the car to save him. I guess something similar could be used for citizens like woman. This wont work though, if the guy shuts the door before he attacks the woman. Best is to have a male agent be with her. 

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Investor · Henderson, NC · Member since 2016 · 484 posts · 208 votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Christine Mwai:

    Great points. ...on the gun though...statistics show that the offender is likely to overpower you and shoot you with your gun ...

     That is a terribly stupid thing to say. There are no "statistics" that support this. It is not true.

    1Reply
  • Christine Mwai
    Investor · Alabaster, AL · Member since 2016 · 280 posts · 88 votes
    9y

    Sorry you feel that way Ryan, that way Ryan...it is indeed true..

    0Reply
  • Christine Mwai
    Investor · Alabaster, AL · Member since 2016 · 280 posts · 88 votes
    9y

    This is not the same as your gun elsewhere. ...please read and follow the context, Ryan...

    0Reply
  • Christine Mwai
    Investor · Alabaster, AL · Member since 2016 · 280 posts · 88 votes
    9y

    The difference is this: this agent was not expecting attack, nor will most. In home invasions you have a few minutes... in a situation ESPECIALLY when a female is showing the house, if you have a gun and the person you are showing it to is a preditor, .....yes....that gun will be used against you...and yes again....for safety sake...

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Investor · Henderson, NC · Member since 2016 · 484 posts · 208 votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Christine Mwai:

    Sorry you feel that way Ryan, that way Ryan...it is indeed true..

     If it is true then surely you can post said "statistics"? Where is the link??? I tried google but no information could be found.

    You are entirely incorrect. There is no such statistic. You are making up facts.

    0Reply
  • Christine Mwai
    Investor · Alabaster, AL · Member since 2016 · 280 posts · 88 votes
    9y

    I have to say that I can understand your perspective.  I was quite surprised when this was taught in a safety class by my local Realtors association..... taught by a  law enforcement officer. He actually polled us by a show of hands on whether we should or should not carry a gun to a showing...I was of the opinion as most of the rest of us that we should..... we were wrong, and I saw his point after he presented different scenarios and facts. I'm not sure I have a direct link, this was a class 2 years ago. If I find it, I will gladly forward it. In the meantime, that's in the end an individual decision?, we can agree to disagree and support safety by following things like not letting the person we a showing a property follow behind us into rooms...I'm amazed at how many people walk into the house and let a stranger follow behind them from room to room. ...

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Investor · Henderson, NC · Member since 2016 · 484 posts · 208 votes
    9y

    It's not a matter of agreeing to disagree. What you are posting is a made up opinion, not a fact. You are welcome to post whatever opinion you want, but do no present it as fact if it is not. You have no evidence what so ever to back up what you say because it is not in any way a fact. You are expressing the opinion of one single person, and most with any firearms knowledge would disagree with that opinion.

    0Reply
  • Brian Pleshek
    Investor · Hamilton, OH · Member since 2016 · 272 posts · 77 votes
    9y

    Good points @Karen Margrave and @Joel Owens.

    0Reply
  • John Lin
    Cupertino, CA · Member since 2016 · 2 posts · 0 votes
    9y

    Thank you for the tips guys

    0Reply
  • Olivier Mader
    Investor · Lakeland, FL · Member since 2016 · 105 posts · 61 votes
    9y

    I'm not an agent but I ALWAYS carry a loaded .45 on me except where prohibited by law. I got a state issued Concealed Weapons Permit. I've been carrying for over 10 years and luckily, I never had to pull my gun..

    1Reply
  • Alvin Nazario
    Investor · Metuchen, NJ · Member since 2016 · 8 posts · 1 vote
    9y

    I would like to add that you should trust your gut reaction. If something feels wrong then most likely it is. 

    0Reply
  • Rosetta F.
    Investor · New Castle, DE · Member since 2013 · 15 posts · 7 votes
    9y

    thank you for this information, very informative. 

    we all need this!

    0Reply
  • Rosston Smith
    Investor · Warner Robins, GA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 490 votes
    9y

    Absolutely! Bring a swoll friend 

    1Reply
  • Diane DeVita-Seneca
    Real Estate Agent · Atco, NJ · Member since 2016 · 6 posts · 1 vote
    9y

    That is a horrible and frightening story! In addition to all these great tips, my broker reminds us to always allow customers to go through the house first (never turn your back on them), and never enter a bedroom or basement with the client - always have an out. Same goes for the open house, they walk in front, all access doors are unlocked. Also, I schedule all my showings through the MLS and note the client's name, whose contact information is in my MLS contact list, and I let my broker know where I'm going and who I'm meeting through text or email. Vacant homes are especially scary, though I've never felt threatened by a client, but have been plenty nervous about the idea that someone may be camped out in the vacant home.

    I also make buyers send me their pre-qualification letters through email or texts so that it increases the likelihood of having a serious buyer as opposed to someone who may want to do an agent harm.  An agent in my office had shown some houses to a convicted rapist, and only learned of his identity when the police contacted the broker, luckily prior to her showing him vacant homes he asked to see! This happened a few years back, but it's still sobering! 

    Be safe out there, no sale is worth it!!! 

    0Reply
  • Carastin Snodgrass
    Oceanside, CA · Member since 2015 · 5 posts · 0 votes
    9y

    Thank you so much for the information very helpful !

    0Reply
  • Jay L.
    Flipper/Rehabber · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2016 · 47 posts · 18 votes
    9y

    Upon reading this I had to search for an update once I saw the dates.   For those who don't know, sad to say the worst happened. 

    At least the family can have closure.

    0Reply
  • Samuel Mercer
    Fort Worth, TX · Member since 2016 · 9 posts · 1 vote
    9y

    This is why you always carry a gun... Plain and simple. Best of luck everyone, stay vigilant and learn to shoot

    0Reply
  • Bran Don
    Atlanta, GA · Member since 2017 · 5 posts · 0 votes
    9y

    Anybody have any invention ideas that would help agents in these type of situations? 

    -Tazors, Mace etc are all good deterents but in the case of an husband wife perp team what do you do?

    -There is an app that will fake call you. You just have to program the time.

    - Facebook live also would quickly catch video of perps 

    but what if..

    the agent arrives on the scene and sees the women on the ground and the man over her, she leaves her purse in the car and rushes to the ladies aid.

    without warning the man overcomes her and....

    0Reply
  • Nathan A. Johnson
    Strongsville, OH · Member since 2016 · 9 posts · 9 votes
    9y

    @Karen Margrave, This is a great list. I'm actually taking the classes to get my license in Ohio, and my teacher was talking about the topic of safety.

    He suggested to not only ask the new client to come into the office first, but also to register them with your company. I.e. Name, number, drivers license, etc... Most people in today's world expect to have their identity verified when trying to buy property and other large ticket items. 

    Also, he suggested having a set code word with your broker's office. The example he gave was "Red File". So you can call your office in a perfectly calm tone, if something is wrong, and say "I'm at the 123 Main street property, can get the red file for me please?" The broker then knows that you are in trouble, and will call the police. 

    0Reply
  • Mark Hill
    Real Estate Professional · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2017 · 10 posts · 1 vote
    9y

    she was found @Aaron Montague thats's a fake website sir!

    1Reply
  • Sohphie Salonga
    New York City, NY · Member since 2017 · 1 post · 0 votes
    9y

    O God, so much panic about realtor. Anything can be went wrong with you at any location. so you always take precautions and be alert when you go alone or even with somebody else.

    0Reply
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