Driving For Dollars House (Picture)

[Samantha M.]

I stumbled upon this property while driving for vacant properties. Its an absentee owner in the tax roles but also looked pretty vacant. However, as you will notice in the picture below the front porch light is on.

Someone is paying for utilities whether its a tenant or the owner. Since the light is on should I discard this as a possible lead since the light is on?

[Ibrahim Hughes]

As a woman door knocking (and even as a man I take safety precautions) you want to be careful approaching people's door. The Safety precautions I take:

1) I try to research as much as possible about the owner and their situation to try and get an idea as to what I'm potentially dealing with.

2) I will call my Brother before going in and let him know the address and owner who I'm going to try and reach via door knock. If I don't call him back in 10 - 15 minutes (roughly the time I need to speak with the owner and leave) call me. If I don't pick up try again immediately 2-3 more times then call the police.

3) If I'm meeting someone at the house alone then I show up and let them know that my partner will likely join us in a few minutes but he's running late.

4) Once inside, I don't drink or eat anything offered to me. And I always keep the seller in front of me where I can see him.

5) Additionally I take martial arts classes and am always ready to go on attack mode at a moment's notice if need be.

6)If I were you I would also carry mace/pepper spray ready to go if needed.

Aside from that I agree with Justin. Don't discard. Could be a deadbeat tenant or relative.