Safety in Houses
Investor · Hendersonville, NC · Member since 2013 · 754 posts · 281 votes
If you go to a house that you found by driving by or someone answering an ad in a newspaper - someone you don't really know and when there are no others involved in the relationship (Realtors, on-MLS, etc.), do you ever worry when you're walking around inspecting the place? I would just be wondering if I go to a $60,000 distressed home in rural South Carolina - pretty much my market for wholesaling or assumptions or whathaveyou - am I safe in that situation? There are a lot of crazies out there, and homeowner distress can add stress to a situation. I don't want to be thrown down a 20' hole while some nut tells me to put lotion on my skin if you know what I mean....
You're probably fairly safe when dealing with sellers and agents, but you can never be too careful. South Carolina is a gun friendly state. I recommend getting trained and carrying a firearm at all times while working. I would also look into taking a self defense. I'm a huge fan of Krav Maga. Here's a training facility near you.
http://charlestonkravmaga.com/
Check it out. It's fun and great exercise.
I agree that there are a lot of crazy people out there.
I think I would be sure to take someone along as there is some safety in numbers.. especially if you come with an extra person unexpectedly.
I don't know how realtors sit at open houses by themselves for hours with people coming and going they don't know. It's one thing if it's a busy open house, but there have been many we have stopped at where we are the only ones there looking for 30 minutes or more and talking to the realtor.
I think generally people don't want to cause trouble, but better be safe than sorry.
You better listen to them...or else you'll get the hose again!
I remember a really good old thread about this subject and see if I can dig it up.
You're probably fairly safe when dealing with sellers and agents, but you can never be too careful. South Carolina is a gun friendly state. I recommend getting trained and carrying a firearm at all times while working. I would also look into taking a self defense. I'm a huge fan of Krav Maga. Here's a training facility near you.
http://charlestonkravmaga.com/
Check it out. It's fun and great exercise.
I always sit in my car near the house for a few minutes and see what is going on and who is watching me.
I don't carry a gun but I always have a knife in my pocket. Comes in handy to unscrew a furnace panel, cut duct tape or defend yourself.
Hubby thinks we need to get carry permits.. I'm just not sure I can see myself with a gun.
I've read that something in your hand like a knife or keys isn't great defense as they have to get close enough to touch you, but at least you have something that way. I'm considering grabbing a pepper spray to carry with me just to have something that can be helpful at a distance. I had some pepper spray I carried in college, but that was a long time ago.
I think too that it's really important how you carry yourself and that you aren't distracted by your phone, etc... hard to do these days. A self defense class sounds like a good idea too... would have to find the time for that one though.
When two nuts have guns the chance of one getting shot is pretty good IMO. Just because the curtians are drawn and you don't see any life, the yard hasn't been mowed and the swing is rusted doesn't mean some little old lady isn't inside. Doesn't mean she didn't call her son, Rubert who lives down the road and he shows up better armed than you and sneaks up on you, since he knows the land. I think if most who put thier faith in thier gun and being surprised by someone with one are more likely to go for thiers, so there ya go.
And got news for all the bad azzes here, you ain't the meanest in the valley, start off with an attitude and you may get your clock cleaned, there is always someone who can do that, regardless of what class you took.
I'd say it would be better to put your hands up and start talking.
Better yet, are there any neighbors? There probably are, might be a quarter mile away but there are. Ask them about the property, they will know if someone is there, probably who owns it and what the status is. It's better to stay off the property until you find out what's going on.
Actually, you have no business at all going on any property unil you know what's going on, maybe you think you have the right to go inspect a property but you don't. And, it's a waste of time snooping around without knowing there is a chance of making it a deal.
Believe me, I know it's a temptation, but it will work out better if you ask around first.
Be prudent, inquire, be professional..... :)
Bill, why is it that everyone who chooses to utilize their 2nd Amendment rights is a "bad azz" with an attitude?
If you carry, the likleyhood youll ever have to even pull it is so slim. Especially in your neck of the woods... When his brother Darrell and his other brother Darrell show up, theyre more likely to shoot each other than shoot a bad azz investor anyway!!
If you carry, the likleyhood youll ever have to even pull it is so slim. Especially in your neck of the woods... When his brother Darrell and his other brother Darrell show up, theyre more likely to shoot each other than shoot a bad azz investor anyway!!
I know, actually watching these guys around in "my neck fo the woods" is funny and where I get the idea they think they are soooo bad. Also goes with those taking defense classes at the YMCA. I use to be a board breaker too, LOL That's why I think is so humorus at times. Especially the younger ones.... :)
I'd rather advise awareness and prudence than taking risks and then defending poor decissions. :)
PS, yes I'm a gun owner, just don't let Tim W. see this or he'll claim I only have a Daisey BB gun. LOL
Breaking boards is all for show. I've never heard of someone getting attacked by a board.
If you want to learn to fight for real, check this out:
If you carry, the likleyhood youll ever have to even pull it is so slim. Especially in your neck of the woods... When his brother Darrell and his other brother Darrell show up, theyre more likely to shoot each other than shoot a bad azz investor anyway!!
I know, actually watching these guys around in "my neck fo the woods" is funny and where I get the idea they think they are soooo bad. Also goes with those taking defense classes at the YMCA. I use to be a board breaker too, LOL That's why I think is so humorus at times. Especially the younger ones.... :)
I'd rather advise awareness and prudence than taking risks and then defending poor decissions. :)
PS, yes I'm a gun owner, just don't let Tim W. see this or he'll claim I only have a Daisey BB gun. LOL
Yeah, i always get a kick out of the guys that show up on a peaceful evening on the steelhead stream with a canon on one hip and a five pound bowie knife on the other... "loaded for bears"!
I takes all kinds as they say. But, the vast majority of folks out there are responsible, competent, law abiding Americans. With even the best training there is always the possibility of being on the wrong end of a bullet. But I would liken it to wearing a seat belt. There have been lives saved because a person was not wearing a seatbelt. Had they been, they wouldnt have been throw out and been crushed. Is that a reason NOT to wear one, when the odds are so much greater youll die in a crash without one? If my odds are better that I'll survive a gunfight if I actually have a gun!!... I guess I'll take one along!
Basing ones views on the worst and least likely scenarios, is like government legislating and gearing bureaucracies toward the lowest common denominator, or the reverse discrimination brought by Affirmative Action. I believe the rights, interests, and freedoms of the many should outweigh that of the few.
Ok gents, this one is getting a little off topic (with the personal attacks). There are existing threads for you to discuss your views on guns and your personal disagreements. Lets focus on Jason's question.
As for me, I try to be as vigilant as possible and take someone along with me when possible. My primary defense though is avoiding the situation as best I can. I do not get involved in real estate anywhere I would have a reason to be nervous about something like that.
Can you legally take a gun into someone's house without their permission? I could see that either not working or not sounding very good.
Actually, you have no business at all going on any property unil you know what's going on, maybe you think you have the right to go inspect a property but you don't. And, it's a waste of time snooping around without knowing there is a chance of making it a deal.
Believe me, I know it's a temptation, but it will work out better if you ask around first.
Be prudent, inquire, be professional..... :)
Your thoughts are good Bill, though, I was definitely thinking of the scenario of having met with the owner, and at some point in the discussion/negotiation, moving to do some inspecting of the house to see what I'm getting. That takes 2+ hours and is very distracting. Now, I get that someone who thinks you might relieve them of their financial misery is very unlikely to harm you, just like a person on a rope bridge with you is unlikely to cut the rope bridge, but you know, if you meet 50 new people a year and turn your back on them in their house, you might have one with nefarious motives.