Don’t Forget to Lock the Door(s)….a Cautionary Tale of What Could Happen

Ok, so this post may seem a little basic for most of the professional real estate agents/brokers that read this site. But, even the most experienced, professional, and respectable real estate agents that I know can sometimes use a quick reminder about the basics.

So, you’re showing a house, talking to your clients about all the great (or not so great features), and you are ready to leave the home and move on to the next home….or maybe head back to your computer to write up the offer! In all the hustle and bustle of the showing and talking with your clients, you forgot that you went out the back slider door to check out the yard. When you came back in, you simply slid the slider door shut and moved on with the rest of the showing. As you leave, you follow the normal protocol of locking the front door, putting the key back in the lockbox, and even trying the door again to verify that it is locked. The effort was made to lock the front door, but the backdoor might as well have an open house sign attached to it because it is still unlocked.

So what could happen? Unfortunately, lots of negative things could happen from this. Here is a brief list that I have compiled of possible negative consequences:

***Keep in mind, most lockboxes keep records of the last agent to use the lockbox.

#1 – House gets robbed. You and your broker are sued for negligence and the replacement value of the property

#2 – Your broker gets an angry call from the listing agent or the list agent’s broker. Your listing broker decides that you are too careless and terminates your employment contract

#3 – The listing broker reports you to the local association for reprimand

#4 – The homeowner comes home and finds the door is unlocked. The homeowner decides that this would be a golden opportunity to recoup something that they lost or broker, and then they file a police report. You and your broker are sued for negligence and the replacement value of the property….eventhough nothing was actually stolen

So, here’s the bottom line. Just take my advice and be extra careful to make sure that ALL doors are locked before you leave. It just takes an extra minute to re-check all the doors, but it will give you peace of mind that you did not open yourself up to liability. Make this part of your routine for every house that you show, and you will never have a problem!

Pete Reese, Broker/President
License #01739054
Sale Pros Realty
www.JoinSalePros.com
reese@JoinSalePros.com
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