Zero Value

I was watching reruns of the TV show Criminal Minds, when a thought for a post occurred to me. In that episode, the serial killer pretended to be a potential customer. He got the real estate agent (a woman) alone in a house for sale in a secluded neighborhood. The rest, as they say, is history.

While it is highly unlikely that you will find yourself in that exact same situation, it is quite possible to be in unsafe circumstances when you look at houses. Reverse the scenario. After all, you may not know who you are dealing with, and who is to say that unscrupulous individuals are not pretending to be real estate agents?

If you think about it, both real estate agent and potential buyers can be in danger. You never know exactly who it is you are dealing with. The only thing you can really do is to take certain steps to stay safe.

A cardinal rule is to always let people know where you are going and with whom. As much as possible, do not visit houses alone. Actually, even if you are with another person, it does not ensure your safety. At the very least, tell someone else what you are up to.

Another important thing is to find out everything that you can about your real estate agent. If you have been using this agent for a while, or he/she has been personally recommended, then you should be okay. But if you are dealing with a new agent, make sure that he/she is from a reputable agency.

You can also suggest a meet up in a neutral, populated area first. The real estate office is the best place. This way you can check out the legitimacy of their operations.

Do your homework. Stay safe.

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