This is a very serious subject, thefts which occur at Open Houses, but this story struck me because it is just so funny--and sad!
Recently a man was arrested after stealing panties from an Open House. He was caught by the Realtor, rummaging through the homeowner's drawers. Later when detained by the police, they found 8 pairs of women's underwear in a plastic bag. Upon further investigation, they found over 50 more at the home that he shares with his parents. He moved in with them following his divorce.
He said that he stole the panties because he missed his ex-wife.
Realtors have always known there is an inherent theft risk to holding an open house. But most work with their sellers to put away all valuables, and personal items, in an effort to minimize the risk. We usually focus on items like jewelry, checkbooks, credit card statements, cash and the like. Most recently, prescription drugs being stolen out of medicine cabinets has been a problem, so now we advise our homeowners to pack them away or remove them from the home.
But having our homeowners secure their underwear drawer? It never occured to me.
Of course, there is no accounting for what someone who is suffering from depression or mental illness will do, and I guess that is the lesson we should learn from this story. One of the agents interviewed said that the man made her uncomfortable and she jotted down his license plate. Her instincts about this man were good and she was smart to listen to them.
So then the question becomes (once again), do we continue to hold Open Houses?
I still see some value in Open Houses. Getting the neighbors in to see a new listing can be a great tool...presumabley they love the neighborhood and will be a great sales force to send out in to the public domain. But with each of instance of theft or crime that occurs at an open house, I become just a little bit more wary of their value. I like to lead off each of my listings with a first weekend Sunday Open. I am very clear with my sellers that the open house will very likely not result in a sale, but that it is just one of many marketing tools
We all know that often the value in an Open House is a chance to meet eager (and unattached) buyers.
I wonder if I the time has come to modify my marketing plan and just get rid of the Sunday Open all together?
Certainly, my seller's underwear drawer would be safer!
For more about this story: Man Charged in Panty Raids At Real Estate Open Houses
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I am guessing that he was not a preapproved buyer? :<) Do your best to secure anything because you just don't know about some folks............ ~Doug
I cannot comment on your experience and still have an Activerain membership. However we are listing a home with Civil war stuff in cases and I am advising the seller to either remove them(my first choiuce) or lock the cabinets
Good Lord, you have to think of everything these days.
They should g String him up for that! But seriously this is something you have to be careful of, especially with presciption drugs. Aaron
Never a dull moment in the world of Real Estate!
If the panty pincher liked the house, he should have just asked for them in an offer!!!
Obviously that Realtor followed her gut instincts. I think that is the key to a good safe Open House. Many of my clients spend their Sundays visiting Open Houses and the attendance lately has been very good. Tough to shut them down all together.
lol!
After reading the title I had to read your post
your friend in Charlottesville Virginia!
It just amazes me the troube people get into and for the silliest of reasons. Usually a simple thing. He may have gotten divorced because of his little fobias...
Just another reminder that we cannot control it all. Funny story.
Underwear! I certainly hadn't asked sellers to lock up their underwear! What an amazing story - I'm so glad the agent was alert enough to catch him.
Holly, I was surprised when I moved to Lewisburg that the agents did not do open houses...I have seen some, but not many, as compared to what we did in Northern Virginia.
Amazing.....just another reason not to do open houses.....Hope you have a great day!
Great story. Thanks for sharing.
What a hoot, I needed a good laugh and thanks for providing one.