Below are two recent stories related to real estate and realtor safety that appeared in the *Vienna VA Patch.
*(Story #1). "An employee on the 500 block of Church Street NE reported he had discovered two individuals sleeping in a vacant office in the building around 9:41 a.m. Oct. 30. The individuals had gained entry by using a ladder to climb onto the third floor balcony and then entered the office. When the employee confronted the two individuals they retreated to the balcony and made their escape using the same ladder. Officers located the two individuals, who were positively identified by the employee as the same individuals he had found in the office. Abdel Hamid Ouardi, 20, of no fixed address and Mr. Richard Alexander Bethea, 20, of no fixed address were arrested for unlawful entry. A search subsequent to his arrest found Ouardi to be in possession of marijuana and other drug paraphernalia. Both Oardi and Bethea were transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. Oardi was charged with unlawful entry and possession of marijuana and was held on a $1,000 bond. Bethea was charged with unlawful entry and held on a $500 bond."
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*(Story #2). "A realtor reported that when she arrived at a property on the 500 block of Windover Avenue NW around 1:20 p.m. Oct. 28 to show a perspective buyer, she noticed a?door was unlocked and soda cans and a pizza box were found inside.?Officer Tremont and PFC Ruddy entered the residence and found no one inside. The realtor also?walked through the residence and determined nothing had been damaged or taken. She?suspected another realtor had left the door unlocked after a previous showing."
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In story #1, I suspect that the two men were homeless and trying to stay warm? In my opinion, the employee should not have confronted them. He should have just called police, then decided what to do afterwards. Suppose the two had been armed and violent? How long would it take before someone discovers a dead body in a vacant office building, especially if the employee hadn't let anyone know that he was stopping to check on a vacant office building? These guys climbed a ladder to a 3rd floor balcony without being noticed, which brings up another point. If you are selling a vacant property, don't leave ladders or other tools sitting around that can be used by burglars.
International Squatter Symbol
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In story #2- I think the agent did the right thing. I would have went to my car and called police as well. Who knows if she would have encountered a burglary in progress, or a violent squatter? I wonder how long the door had been sitting open? The furnace could have been running continuously for a few days or more since the previous showing agent left. Also, anyone could have stumbled across the open door and decided to go inside and snoop around, and might have decided to steal something while they were there. Did the previous agent and buyer decide to have a pizza and soda lunch at this house, or was that just left behind by homeowner? I don't think it's good business practice for an agent and buyer to eat lunch at someone's house, even if it's vacant. These scenarios could turn out? worse if the vacant property is in a rural area like Loudoun county VA.
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So better safe than sorry. Police do not mind getting calls like this from agents, or anyone else. That's what they live for and get paid for. I suggest walking around vacant houses before entering. Look for broken windows, open doors, or anything that doesn't look right. If something looks suspicious, go back to your car, leave, or get in position to drive off in case someone comes out of the house. People are stealing copper and everything else they can sell from vacant houses these days."
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Jeff Pearl / REALTOR / Lic in VA
Re/max Distinctive - Reston VA
703-727-4876
Homes / Land / Farms
myhomesdb.com/jeffpearl
Equal Housing Opportunity Provider
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