Crime And Open Houses: Sellers Beware, Be Careful, Lock Up!
This story in today’s NYT on escalating crime at open houses in unoccupied homes sparked my memory to the many stories agents have told me about open house crime in Dallas. First of all, sellers, please lock up your jewelry and valuables during an open house or better yet, take them to a friend’s home. (When we held our open houses, while our last home was on the market, I took my sterling and jewelry box out for safe-keeping.) FSBO’s, be doubly cautious and consider hiring a security guard. Most agents are open-house savvy and keep an eye on everyone who troops through that door — having them sign in. Others know safety from personal harrowing experience: I know of an Ellen Terry agent who was tied up, roughed up and robbed during an open house off Midway Road several years back — thank God she survived. Thieves know they can walk into an open house, pretend to be looking at some architectural detail and slip into a drawer lickety-split, making off with sterling teaspoons, jewelry, even cash. Now we hear thieves are going after staged homes, stealing towels, bedding, whatever they can walk out with. Home stagers such as Ann Schooler fill these unoccupied homes with gorgeous antiques. Homeowners, you might want to stick around the open house, too. Years ago, one agent tells me, thieves backed a truck up to a home that was on the market and pretended they were interior designers taking away furniture for re-upholstery. When the homeowner came home, she asked her agent what had happened to her chairs and sofa. Oh, said the agent, your designer came by to pick them up. But, said the homeowner, I don’t have a designer.
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Open houses always make me a little edgy…often the realtor is sitting way in the back of the house (kitchen, etc).
It’s just the day and times we live in…
Here in Atlanta two months ago a scientist, a cancer researcher, was killed while showing her for-sale upscale penthouse condo.
It was just a chance meeting. She took her dog for a walk and in the lobby she was approached by a very troubled young man, only 22-years-old, posing as a would-be buyer.
I really don’t know how such an intelligent women could have such poor judgment. Most 22-year-old guys cannot afford an expensive condo. Most! Just a small fraction of young people possibly in show business, including hip-hop, pop, and rock artists, can.
The concierge offered to escort her, with the young guy, up to the condo. She said, “I don’t want him to think I don’t trust him.” Apparently she had some doubts about the guy but didn’t follow through on them.