The other day I wrote this post that highlighted potential dangers of being a real estate agent because of recent bizarre activity by a guy from out of town who has been calling local female agents to lure them to vacant properties. If you don’t believe that the working life of an agent can be compromised, read an article that I was made aware of today via RE/MAX that describes the stabbing death of a young RE/MAX colleague, Lindsay Buziak, in Canada on Feb 2nd, less than 2 weeks ago. RE/MAX had their own article posted in our online news but it’s worth getting out to the general public and other agents as well as a reminder of safety awareness.
These kinds of horrible crimes are part of the discussions I have with clients when it comes to putting a home on the market. We discuss safety for our clients and for agents. It’s also a reason why we shy away from open houses unless they are for a specific kind of property that will benefit from that type of exposure. Because of the internet, open houses have become more of a marketing tool for agents rather than an effective way to sell a house. Now you’ll find opportunistic thieves occasionally attending these events to take items from homes or to perhaps case them for later burglary.
So, be careful out there!
I’m sorry to say that RE/MAX sent out a notice of a 2nd agent, Ann Nelson of Madison, WI, has been murdered. You can read the full news account about it here: http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/277819
It’s heartbreaking to hear these stories and to know that these are hard working people who are just out doing their job who are targeted. Ann was the same age as my dad and only a little older than my mother, who is also an agent. I can’t bear to imagine this happening to my mother and I hope it never does. My heart goes out to Ann’s family in this terrible time for them.
http://www.remax.net/images/wps/mugs/annnelson.jpg