Real estate safety
The Charleston MLS reports several recent incidents on its website to alert both Charleston real estate agents and sellers to take necessary precautions when showing homes for sale.
A number of suspicious incidents have occurred in recent days involving real estate agents and their clients in different parts of the tri-county area. Should you encounter a situation like the following, or if any other encounter which makes you or your clients uneasy, please use caution!
- Individual gaining entry to a listed home by appearing at a residence as another agent was showing it. He claimed to be previewing property and waited until the first agent was finished to go as she left. The homeowner later discovered missing medications and it was determined the second "agent" did not have an appointment.
- Individual approached a seller and asked to tour home w/o appointment. Presented another agents business card as his own, without a photo on the card to prove otherwise.
- Two individuals approached a seller's home unannounced and claimed listing agents office had encouraged them to visit the home without an appointment or agent present. Seller wisely refused entry and reported the incident to their agent.
Please exercise caution at all times and ensure your clients know how to do the same. Any suspicious activities should be reported immediately to CTAR and the proper authorities.
Realtors and sellers should be very careful, of most interest to me in the above scenarios were attempts by people to impersonate a real estate agent.