Friday, October 17, 2008

Seller Assulted by Man Posing as a Buyer in Austin

And this is not the first such case in Austin. Sellers: Please be safety conscious.

In 2001 a woman who had her home for sale in the Great Hills, Austin neighborhood was strangled to death by a man who knocked on her door and asked if he could come in and see the house. IF THEY AREN'T ACCOMPANIED BY AN AGENT, DON'T LET THEM IN. In addition, this same man had previously strangled 4 other women with the same rouse. One of them had survived to identify him. I don't recall why he was not in prison when the Great Hills murder happened but I do remember the eerie feeling when I toured the home a year later on a property tour.

Most recently, a woman in Austin was assaulted and robbed by a man whom she admitted to her home under the same circumstances. Her home was for sale. He knocked on the door and asked if he could see the home. She let him in.

Here is a list of safety tips for sellers:

1. If someone knocks on the door and wants to see the house, tell them to call the phone number on the for sale sign and make an appointment.

2. If you are at home when a Realtor comes, ask them to access the lockbox which electronically records their name, contact info and time of entry.

3. Remove any valuables from view or easy access. That includes account information, jewelry, prescription drugs, weapons, etc.

Robin Scott, Broker. Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Seller's Representative Specialist.

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