I went to show a foreclosure this afternoon, there was a car parked in the lot but since the door was locked I figured it was a neighbors car using the parking space. Instead of going directly to open the lock box we walked around the property & the buyer went to show me a shattered door which she had noticed several days prior (she had already seen this property). While we were outside we heard loud banging & I thought it might had been workers fixing up the property. I said "hello" several times & the noise stopped. So we just stood outside kind of concerned. Then we heard the car engine running & as I looked over the wood fence I saw a young couple drive off in the parked car. I freaked because I thought how about if we just walked in through the front like we all normally do & encounter these people! They are up to anything, they were probably the previous owners pist off & are not thinking straight. By what we saw, the attic was left open & there were shadows of light in it, the banging was coming from that area. I called the police & reported it. I told them maybe they should keep an eye out due to the door being broken. I also left an email for the agent. Scary... I am sure some of you have experienced scary situations, but this one was my first. My main concern is the agents showing the property & coming accross a situation like this.

Vacant homes attract the worst sorts. I have had several scary situations while checking on my vacant properties

When I see a vehicle that doesn't appear to belong in the subjects area, I write down the license number, prior to proceeding any further.......Prior to entry, I will make my best effort to insure the property is vacant(especially if I have clients with me). If I'm still unsure, I have the clients wait outside while I make a visual inspection. Experience and commmon sense can be your best friend.

Go in and say "Is anybody in here and then RACK your gun". If anyone is in there they will run really fast!:)

I've got a new toy called "flash bang"......seems to get the job done...lol

I use the "XXXX police, come out or I'll send in the dog".

Hey that's my opening line........lol

What if both of my guns are already racked before I enter? Maybe a couple warning shots will do the trick

And, if you hear them rack their gun, the correct answer would be......."you run faster"....

All kidding aside.....some of these orders take us into a "war zone".......I had a brief encounter last year with a 350 lb. monkey....walked away from that one.....too Irish, too Aries, and too stupid....just don't care for bullies.....

wow, the x-rated police. how did you find that job? are you looking for amateur film stars?

hmm...you have to wonder what the phrase "send in the dog" really means.

Dog Chapman and Snoop Dog and Michael Vick

If you are an REO agent and enter vacant homes, you are nuts if you don't carry a firearm or at least police quality pepper spray.

Any of you folks use a Taser? I think its a ntch above pepper spray, won't do permanent damage and can be worn on your belt. I think just the appearance of something can help deter bad guys. I do believe some stays have stricter regaulations on these than other states do.I am giving thoughts to just having one of these at my ready....I get into some pretty fundky areas...

I do both... and a knife...

I unlock the door, act like I forgot something and send the client in first.

ROFLMAO!!!

A few weeks ago I pulled into the driveway of a run down house in the hood for an interior. Just as I shut off the engine, this urban youth runs right in front of my car and freezes. I look over, and two cops have drawn on him and are ordering him to his knees.

If I had been there 30 seconds earlier I would have been right in the thick of things.

Wow! Scary stories. Next time I will be much more careful & take down the tags.

I used to just go right up to the door,open the lockbox and go in. Duh. Now, I walk around the exterior, checking all doors and windows, and if anything is unsecure, I do not enter. I call the police radio room, tell them I am an agent and they show up really quick. Doesn't matter how bad the area is. Last time, it was a duplex, the cops showed up, opened the door and with what only can be described as "the biggest @*!# rifles" I have every seen, yelled into to the open door "POLICE - if you are in there, sound off, guns in the house". They stayed while I took my pictures. I have never felt so safe.... I never enter an unsecured property. If I do not have time for the cops, I report it to the company that sent me out there, and tell them that I need an extension until the property is secure. I have never had anyone object to the extension. In fact, I have gotten calls telling me that they are glad I did not enter. I do not carry a gun - but I am seriously thinking about getting my permit - its getting really bad out there.

LOL..................I would like to do that for a couple of clients that what to look at every house.

I went into a property this winter. It was a cold day. I went in and started taking pics and I noticed a steaming Cup-O-Soup and a full 40 oz of beer on the counter. This house had been on the market for months, had no utilities and there was no conveince store around to heat up a Ramon Noodle. I heard foot steps upstairs, I got the heck out of there.

Seriously, I really did laugh out LOUD! Thanks for the funny.