In 2008, Lindsay Buziak, a Victoria Realtor® was murdered while showing a lavish home in British Columbia. Sadly, this murder could have been prevented simply by screening the people she was meeting with. Lindsay had never met the couple before.
Here is Lindsay's story...
Related: Case Timeline | Reporting Tips To The Saanich Police Department
7 comments • Colleen Lane Kennewick Realtor® 509.438.9344 www.LaneRealEstateTeam.com • September 21 2010 12:03AMThis blog does not allow anonymous comments
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Wow I just watched that video. Thank you for posting it, it could save a life.
That is great post we all need to be reminded of... thanks for sharing.
We all take clients out for the first time. I think we are all too trusting. A couple of times I have had bad vibes and asked my husband to come with me.
A great reminder of what we all know but seldom follow. As a precaution, suggest meeting the buyer in your office for a buyer consultation before showing homes. If you get a bb agreement signed, then you have a signature. If you still have reservations, introduce your buyer's to an associate and explain that he or she will be joining you on the tour. There are all kinds of reasons why this might be done. Another appointment following, etc. I personally never go inside an empty home alone with a client. I conveniently come up with an excuse to make a call while they tour the home. Go with your gut instinct. It's usually right.
For what it is worth, we ALWAYS know exactly who we are meeting. For one, the safety issue, but for two, we need to know if the client has been qualified to buy the home! We are WAAAY too busy to be showing homes to someone who will never qualify to purchase the homes we are showing them.
Colleen,
You're exactly right. As agents we need to pre-screen ALL potential clients. For safety reasons and so we don't waste valuable time with someone who is not able to purchase.
Amen to that Todd G!
Every single one of us at some point in our careers have shown properties to a client only to find they were not serious, could not afford the properties viewed, or both. Screening not only saves us time, but protects us as well.