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Realtors BEWARE...This happened to me YESTERDAY Don't let it happen to YOU!
I was checking on my listing as I do several times a week, as it is a vacant home and always check for lights being left on, doors locked etc. I pulled into the driveway, and proceeded to the front door...first thing I noticed the blinds were all shut, which I always leave open in case of drivebys that want to see inside. I get to the front door and low and behold the SUPRA BOX IS MISSING...the WHOLE THING IS GONE With the keys inside gone as well. Long story short after a quick call to my broker to make sure he had not come by and removed it...the garage door was ajar and once I opened the door (which BTW I should have stopped before doing so as the robbers could have still been there!) Saw that all of the homeowners belongings had been stolen that were in the garage. The front door was relocked all the blinds shut so the robbers could move in the house without being seen from the street. The home was stripped of all stainless steel appliances BUILDER GRADE and BUILT IN appliances as well as the stainless steel trash cans, washer and dryer, etc. Beyond PANICED and SCARED out of my MIND...911 on the way and the whole violated sickness swept through my body. In tears I knew that I had to tell my clients who now live out of the country that the home they are trying to sell in the crazy market we are in just got ROBBED of all of its appliances and to make matters worse, teh robbers now have the KEYS to get back in freely. Of course I immediately called a locksmith to rekey the whole home but no matter what I do I will never feel safe going back to the house and neither will the owners.
We take for granted that our homes whether lived in or not are "SAFE" with Supra Lockboxes and or Combo boxes on the doors. Please note that the one we had on this home was the top of the line lockbox, with remote entry. The robbers either had a supra or cut the box off without leaving ANY SIGNS of forced entry! NOT EVEN A SCRATCH PEOPLE! They pulled into the garage and made out like the bandits they are and drove away all while the signs from the street were that the home was empty.
In my listing I had a flyer with all of my listings on it, complete with address...and weblinks. SOUND FAMILAR? After filing the police report, I went back to the office typed a full statement, listed all items I could tell were missing, contacted CSS (showing service) retrieved a full report of all agents that have shown the propery, contacted my clients sent them copies of the report. Then proceeded to call my clients to inform them of the situation. I gave them instructions to immediatley remove the key from the lockboxes outside and keep them near the front door where they can place them back in the lockbox prior to any showings which have always required an appointment as the rest of my listings are lived in. But even if I they were not lived in I would remove the keys until agents requested a showing. My listings are at risk now because the robbers have their address and links to "preview" all they own inside due to our wonderful VIRTUAL TOURS and Still Photos online on MLS, my company sight, etc.
I could have been harmed, the robbers could have been in the home when I went in, they could be anywhere maybe driving around looking for vacant homes in the area still to this day and likely are doing just that. Agents, we are in the business of selling homes, showing homes even if we are not the listing agents. We are at a high risk for crime to not only happen to us but our clients and their homes. PLEASE be careful and take caution NEVER let your gaurd down always proceed inside the home alert and if you see ANYTHING out of place any signs that something is wrong call 911 immediately.
Make sure your clients homes have HOME OWNER INSURANCE WITH REPLACEMENT COVERAGE! Remind them if they are in a home with a combo lock to remove the key until the get a call for a showing, do this as a procaution it shows that you care for them, their home, etc.
I pray that this does not happen to you, within 2 DAYS of checking on my listing my clients home was robbed of nearly $35,000 dollars worth of appliances. and personal belongings. DON'T let this Happen To you...be careful out there.
Happy and SAFE Selling!
Kimberly McCampbell, Realtor
GMAC Houston Home Sales
