BEWARE WHEN SHOWING PROPERTY!! ARKANSAS AGENT MISSING!

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BEWARE WHEN SHOWING PROPERTY!! ARKANSAS AGENT MISSING!

Karen MargraveBusiness Member
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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
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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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  • Matthew ChalfantPro Member
    Investor · Charleston, SC · Member since 2018 · 42 posts · 24 votes
    6y

    Here is another solution past the point of prevention: Glympse. It is a location tracking app that you can share your location with people that you trust. Some of my female friends will share their location with me if they are going on a first date with a new person. It is precise enough that I could even see which stores they would walk in to in an outlet mall. You can set a time and it will expire afterward. It can be useful for law enforcement. The app has other uses as well. 

    However, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The other mentioned tips are good. I am all for self-defense and concealed weapons carry. A  lot of local gun ranges have ladies' days and classes for all kinds of people. This is what the second amendment was designed for.

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  • Stephen KeigheryBusiness Member
    Rental Property Investor · New Orleans, LA · Member since 2018 · 716 posts · 555 votes
    6y

    That's a scary thought

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  • Marlen Weber
    Specialist · Plano, TX · Member since 2020 · 2k+ posts · 861 votes
    6y

    @Karen Margrave these are very importance tips. Thank you for sharing them with us. It is important to stay safe at all times when showing property. 

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  • Scott Mac
    Austin, TX · Member since 2019 · 5k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    6y

    As a semi-public figure (advertisements) It's important to protect yourself at home too (some recommend a rock): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3HlbgYQLE0

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  • Jim P.
    CT · Member since 2017 · 9 posts · 0 votes
    6y

    Have them believe someone else is on their way to your location by letting them overhear a cell phone conversation giving out the address and you will see them in 5,10 o 15 minutes. 

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  • Ashley Coultas
    Real Estate Coach · 90dayapprentice.com · Member since 2019 · 2 posts · 1 vote
    6y

    We do virtual showings. So we have a lockbox on the house. We collect government issued photo ID before allowing anyone to go to the house. We do a video chat while the buyer walks through the house. Safe for everyone. Especially in these times.

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  • Greg Ghunt
    Member since 2020 · 21 posts · 6 votes
    6y

    I was shown a house by a single realtor, one time it was a woman and the other time it was a man. While not completely without witnesses, they could have gotten attacked inside the house with me. This practice is NOT safe. That is why Open House days are probably safer as different people can come in and out - thus more witnesses. But if you want to get attacked by a stranger - have them be inside a house alone with you. They can attack and run. People get attacked on the street too, but this is at least more visually isolated. 

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  • Tom Osbeck
    Member since 2017 · 3 posts · 1 vote
    6y

    It's a good idea to have a "save word" to use if you sense trouble.  Call the office or your broker and work the "word" into the conversation.  Better safe than sorry.

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  • Luke Stewart
    Real Estate Consultant · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2020 · 23 posts · 19 votes
    6y

    I think it is always a good idea to have your location shared with a family member or close friend, and let them know when you are showing a house or feeling uneasy!

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  • JoAnna Gallastegui
    Rental Property Investor · Silver Spring, MD · Member since 2019 · 4 posts · 2 votes
    6y

    Re:Dogs

    I was thinking myself of the dog idea and was glad to see several here post about it. However, is it even possible to do that when showing other owners' properties? I mean, do you ask them for permission to bring your dog on their property for safety during showings?

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