As a real estate agent, one of the favorite parts of my job is meeting new people every day. Sometimes people are referred to me by previous customers, sometimes I meet people at open houses, sometimes I meet people from sign calls on my listings.
Typically when I get sign calls and people want to see the house, I get resistance when I ask the person to first meet me at my office. They may think I’m doing this to be difficult or force them to work with me. This actually has nothing to do with it. My request to first meet you at my office has to do with my own PERSONAL SAFETY. I want to make sure I’m comfortable with you and others in my office have seen you and know where we are going.
This morning I received the following email from a fellow West Hartford real estate agent, which gives a perfect example… (I’ve made minor edits to change identities)…
Hello Everybody,
I want to bring this situation to your attention so that you will be safe from possible harm.
On Wednesday, Penny ABC out of our ZZZZ office received a call from a customer asking for “Penny at x338.” The gentleman wanted to view a home in which she was not the listing agent. Penny immediately became suspicious as to why she would be sought out to show a home to a stranger in which she was not even the listing agent. She told the man she could not show him the home without a pre-qual letter first so he was able to generate one from a XYZ Bank based out of Chicago. The letter had the last name of the person’s wife, but not the original last name that he had given.
Penny ended up bringing a male agent from our ZZZZ office to show the property on Thursday. She was running a little late so she called the man. As she approached the house, which was located on a dead end, there was a car parked in front of the home. As her car pulled up this car sped off and turned down a neighboring side street. The person in the car was on the phone at the time. When Penny got a hold of the customer he said he couldn’t make the appointment because he was stuck in a meeting at his office, this was at 1:55.
Penny called the listing agent to notify her of these happenings. The listing agent said that she had just received a call from this same customer who was standing in front of the home and wanted to see the property at 1:50. THE LISTING AGENT THEN GAVE THE GENTLEMAN THE LOCKBOX COMBINATION ON THE HOME!!
Curious of the situation Penny followed the car and watched as 2 other cars and at least 4 other men met and talked and went back and forth from car to car. She was too far away to really see details of what was being exchanged.
The whole situation seems very suspicous and therefore we want to forward this man’s information to all of you so that you are aware and can be careful.
Attached you will find a copy of his pre-qual letter.
Here are the names and phone numbers he has provided so far:
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
As always, remember to meet your customers at the office first. It is always smart to get a copy of their license before you go showing properties. Do not go to vacant homes alone. ALWAYS BE CAREFUL!!
I have no idea what would have happened in this situation if the female agent did not bring a male agent with her to the showing. I am just glad that she was smart enough to do this and is safe.
Please understand, when I ask you to meet me at my office when we are meeting for the first time, I am not being difficult. I am being selfish for my own safety, and the safety of the homeowner and their belongings.