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
11y

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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  • Richard Collins
    Ashbum, VA · Member since 2014 · 10 posts · 2 votes
    11y

    Great and safest tips. Thanks for sharing and making every individual aware about real estate property.

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2014 · 9 posts · 2 votes
    11y

    Excellent tips for us.

    0Reply
  • Jerry Padilla
    Lender · Rochester, NY · Member since 2014 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y

    I agree that you should have something on you to defend yourself. What about pepper spray also? I don't think you need a permit and they can't turn that weapon against you as they won't be able to see. 

    1Reply
  • Mary B.
    Real Estate Investor · Lansdowne, PA · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 656 votes
    11y

    Wow, just heard about another r.e. agent that was kidnapped at gun point in Sacramento but thankfully got out alive. http://www.inman.com/2015/01/09/real-estate-agent-...

    Stay vigilant people, even in those neighborhoods that appear safe.

    Kudos,

    Mary

    0Reply
  • Mark Pedroza
    Real Estate Agent · Sacramento/Placer ~ San Francisco Bay Area counties · Member since 2012 · 1k+ posts · 743 votes
    11y

    @Mary B. 

    Suspect was apprehended at the end of last week...

    0Reply
  • Mary B.
    Real Estate Investor · Lansdowne, PA · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 656 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Mark Pedroza:

    @Mary B. 

    Suspect was apprehended at the end of last week...

    Thank GOD.

    Kudos,

    Mary

    0Reply
  • Andre Irving
    Residential Real Estate Broker · Hartford, CT · Member since 2014 · 3 posts · 2 votes
    11y

    There are different real estate apps also that one can use for their security such as: Real Alert, SafeTrec and others. 

    I would also suggest not to wear expensive jewellery or other ornaments while showing a property to prospective buyers.

    Last week, there was another incident in Elk Grove, CA where an agent barely escaped: http://fox40.com/2015/01/08/real-estate-agent-brie...

    Safety First!

    1Reply
  • Max T.
    Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    11y
    I always bring my lab/German shepherd with me when showing apartments. She is very friendly but barks protectively when someone new shows up. Excellent deterrent. I'm also a bad-*** former high school wrestler current coach with a little jiu-jitsu training to throw in the mix!
    0Reply
  • Vi Lai
    Involved In Real Estate · Worcester, MA · Member since 2014 · 21 posts · 16 votes
    11y
    Not sure if this has been mentioned but agent should schedule an appointment with buyer in the office so colleagues can identify buyer before leaving for showings. If he/she is a shady buyer, he/she wouldn't show up for the meeting.
    0Reply
  • Bukola Lawal
    Brooklyn, NY · Member since 2015 · 14 posts · 1 vote
    11y
    Very nice tips for safety
    0Reply
  • Lenny Reddic
    Knoxville, TN · Member since 2008 · 31 posts · 0 votes
    11y

    You could put a home security internet surveillance sign in the yard so they think the house is under surveillance or something similar.

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Homeowner · Signal Hill, CA · Member since 2015 · 521 posts · 70 votes
    11y

    whoosh i googled for missing real estate agent and there's quite a few missing agents in the past few months alone!

     =(

    0Reply
  • Tatum F.
    Real Estate Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2015 · 34 posts · 9 votes
    11y

    I remember one tip from an older BP podcast suggested doing group showings.  In doing so, you have the benefit of security since you'd be in a group and also efficiency in that you wouldn't have to show multiple times.

    1Reply
  • Sean Kremer
    Real Estate Investor · Milford, NE · Member since 2011 · 201 posts · 140 votes
    11y

    I will never have any of our girls go into a home alone with a strange man, even a rental. I have them tell them the reasons why and its never been a problem yet. I also don't have our guys go into a dwelling without at least a witness with them when there is only one female in there. Better safe than sorry. Any time my wife meets with someone we don't know one on one, she carries pepper spray on her. Again better safe than sorry. There are a lot of people out there with bad intentions. All you can do is stay aware of your surroundings and be vigilant. 

    1Reply
  • Brian P.
    Wholesaler · Salt Lake City, UT · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 401 votes
    11y

    Was just rereading these posts and noticed the anti-gun position of a few posters. And it got me to thinking about women and guns. My women agents that wanted to carry a gun was fine with me. I still believe I would rather be judged by twelve then carried by six. The point is unless you do it right it may be no use to you. A  bad guys first move would likely be the removal of your purse, thus your pepper spray and gun and purse would be gone . 

    So my mother who was born and raised during her early years in some rough mining towns learned to shoot at a very early age and basically became another Annie Oakley with a gun. Her father was a lineman for the telegraph company and a self-taught gunsmith, and a heck of a marksman. When I used to play high stakes poker in the backrooms of places you didn't want to go and there were a few strangers most of the players were packing. They teased me about not carrying and I would say I will let you guys handle it for me. I was only 16 when I started. One night a guy that was hired to watch the door thought he could do better by letting a couple of friends force they way in and disarm him. My older brother and I were both packing but these clowns didn't know it as they disarmed the other players. Our gunsmith grand-father who found out what we were doing provided us with sleeve guns, worn on the forearms and fired with muscle action. each carried two 45 cal slugs. We surprised the invaders and they were quickly tied up and removed by the guys that ran the game and I'm sure they were given the chance to swim the Pacific Ocean at night.

    Any way murders, rapes and robberies of agents were getting to be a common thing in the area in 1989. That was when we really promoted safety and several women and men agents asked about guns. I remembered my grandfather having several guns for ladies. The most common was a garter belt holster and a four shot revolver, not likely to jam.  So a few of our lady agents wore them even if they went out in twos and made sure they were wearing a loose dress so as to not hamper getting to the gun quickly. I am beginning to think maybe some agents might consider such an accessory if they like to fly solo when doing business with strangers. It can happen anytime, I know one of the murders was a listing presentation at a home, just not the real owner who made the appointment and sat down to hear the presentation.    

    2Reply
  • Adrian Chu
    Real Estate Broker · Seattle, WA · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 427 votes
    11y

    Thanks for sharing.  

    0Reply
  • Bri R.
    Inspector · San Joaquin County, CA · Member since 2013 · 60 posts · 10 votes
    11y

    Awesome list!

    Here are some more..

    - Take a DOG to the showings.  If u don't have a big dog, rent one at your local dog shelter and bring him with you. (pitbull, etc)

    - Also, never go inside the property with strangers. Wait outside (if vacant property) close to your car until they come out.

    - Make sure when setting up the showing,.. ask them to bring their wife or mother or sister or any female / and / or children along. (this one always works!)

    1Reply
  • Tammy Vitale
    Investor · Lusby, MD · Member since 2015 · 121 posts · 36 votes
    11y

    well this is an eye opener.  Hubby went with me the other day to look at an empty house that had been empty for a while.  All of the doors had been jimmied open so many times they practically opened on their own.  He mentioned that made him feel really uneasy about my doing it by myself.  So I won't.  Good advice here.  Thanks for bringing it up!

    0Reply
  • Jennifer Williams
    Virginia Beach, VA · Member since 2015 · 6 posts · 3 votes
    11y

    Nice thread. Thanks for such a great and helpful information. It was a great read. These tips seem to be quite helpful when showing property.

    0Reply
  • Bridget D.
    Investor · Wilmington, DE · Member since 2015 · 18 posts · 7 votes
    11y

    I keep a box cutter in my bra and text my daughter the info of who I/m meeting !  I follow the advise of calling someone and keep them on the line or keep their voice male on the line in a pinch.  If  uncomfortable I will stay near the open door and tell them to  look around and tell me what they think when they are finished.   

    0Reply
  • Lynn Harrison
    Garberville, CA · Member since 2011 · 184 posts · 6 votes
    11y

    Bridget, for women who are unfamiliar with a gun I really like your idea of a box cutter. Any cornered woman with a backbone would suddenly find that they could use that effectively.

    Another strategy if you are at all uncertain is to get some distance from the person and let the other person see you making a cell phone call while looking at their license plate. Even if you are faking it. This works in strange situations at gas stations etc late at night as well. Although, meeting in the office and photocopying an ID is much better... 

    I don't show properties but have looked at a lot of vacant and derelict properties on my own without a real estate agent. I bring my dog- a Rott Doberman mix. I really recommend this mix of dog- they don't look like much so they don't scare friendly people, but when they are attentive they are impressive. Dobermans have been bred specifically to be personal protection dogs- they usually don't need protection training and usually have really goofy friendly personalities when not attentive. They usually stick to you like glue. I believe my dog has saved my life at least twice, although in different circumstances.

    0Reply
  • Lucero Sanchez
    Contractor · Queen Creek, AZ · Member since 2014 · 155 posts · 37 votes
    11y

    OMG! (I have a teenage daughter and now her lingo has stuck to me ;) but anyway that is awful, my 18 year old daughter will be graduating this year and she wants to go straight to becoming a real estate agent,  this never occurred in my head that she could come across this situation. Scary! Thank you all for your advise I will make sure my daughter follows your advise, the Tile thing mentioned  by Karen Margave is a great idea, I'll be doing research on that. Thanks again everyone you opened my eyes. :)

    0Reply
  • Joel OwensBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Canton, GA · Member since 2010 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    11y

    Hope for the best from people but be prepared for the worst at all times.

    Podcast Guest on Show #47
    NNN Invest53 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    1Reply
  • Larry Shields
    Investor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2015 · 1 post · 0 votes
    11y

    these tips are very helpful and informative. I'm close to the Baltimore,Maryland area and it's a great opportunity but it's also a dangerous city.

    0Reply
  • P. Martin
    Residential Real Estate Agent · San antonio, TX · Member since 2013 · 130 posts · 44 votes
    11y

    There are self defense sprays which shoot a stream from something like 15 feet and will mark the assailant with UV dye. These are good because they are not as affected by wind and won't blow back in your face and also don't fill up a room with aerosol mist.

    Do not let our inate urge to be polite allow you to become a victim. Enforce distances. 

    3Reply
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