Coins Stolen - Is Real Estate That Bad?

[Walter_Middie]

A real estate agent stole about $300 worth of coins from my house Wednesday (Feb 18th) afternoon. Our house has been for sale and on the market for about a week. We had an open house on Sunday, and received 2 offers. That’s pretty good in this market, but our house is really nice, and it was priced right. We accepted one of the offers and our sale is pending.

On Wednesday, the house was technically still on the market, as our real estate agent did not have time to change the listing yet. About 12:30, 1:00 pm, my wife came home from running errands, and found a real estate agent in the house. She said he was surprised to see her, looked nervous for some reason, and his hand was shaking when she introduced herself. The real estate agent left, and we didn’t think anymore about it. Last night I noticed that a large glass jar that we keep our spare coins in had the top off of it. Looking closer, I noticed that it was almost empty – it had been almost full of quarters – several hundred dollars worth was missing.

The real estate agent had left his card, but the web site on it didn’t work, the phone number was disconnected, and the business is no longer at the address shown. Our key lock box is a GE IBox Supra, which logs everyone that enters the house. My real estate agent said that whoever entered the house did not update his info, so we don’t know who it was. The picture and the name on the real estate agents card matches a local Keller Williams real estate agent. I wonder if my wife can identify him in person. She can’t tell from the lousy picture on his business card.

The Sherriff was at the house and tried to get finger prints off the glass jar, but they were mostly smudged. The Sherriff was very nice, but also said that the crime lab was probably too busy to worry about this anyway. In the big scheme of things, this isn’t a huge crime, but it burns me up to think this real estate agent is going around to houses for sale and stealing stuff.

[masraum]

wow, my guess is that it's someone who does this regularly.

[red-beard]

Yeah, the issue isn't the $300 stolen from you, but that this person is probably doing it all over town.

[Walter_Middie]

Red-Beard, I agree. You could say that my real estate agent stole a lot more money than this from me. The difference is that I signed up for that, this other guy didn't have permission.

I think he could deny the whole thing, say someone else must have done it. Is there anything I can do?

[crustychief]

I agree with red-beard, it has been going on for a lot longer than the real estate crunch, since the lock box technology has gotten better they crooks just have to be a little more creative.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by Walter_Middie

A real estate agent stole about $300 worth of coins from my house Wednesday (Feb 18th) afternoon. Our house has been for sale and on the market for about a week. We had an open house on Sunday, and received 2 offers. That’s pretty good in this market, but our house is really nice, and it was priced right. We accepted one of the offers and our sale is pending. On Wednesday, the house was technically still on the market, as our real estate agent did not have time to change the listing yet. About 12:30, 1:00 pm, my wife came home from running errands, and found a real estate agent in the house. She said he was surprised to see her, looked nervous for some reason, and his hand was shaking when she introduced herself. The real estate agent left, and we didn’t think anymore about it. Last night I noticed that a large glass jar that we keep our spare coins in had the top off of it. Looking closer, I noticed that it was almost empty – it had been almost full of quarters – several hundred dollars worth was missing. The real estate agent had left his card, but the web site on it didn’t work, the phone number was disconnected, and the business is no longer at the address shown. Our key lock box is a GE IBox Supra, which logs everyone that enters the house. My real estate agent said that whoever entered the house did not update his info, so we don’t know who it was. The picture and the name on the real estate agents card matches a local Keller Williams real estate agent. I wonder if my wife can identify him in person. She can’t tell from the lousy picture on his business card. The Sherriff was at the house and tried to get finger prints off the glass jar, but they were mostly smudged. The Sherriff was very nice, but also said that the crime lab was probably too busy to worry about this anyway. In the big scheme of things, this isn’t a huge crime, but it burns me up to think this real estate agent is going around to houses for sale and stealing stuff.

Follow him around. when he stops at a property to meet homeowners wait for him to leave, then explain to them what he did.

And then take time to hit the "Enter" key between paragraphs when you're telling us how you ruined his business.

[andrew15]

I suspect your wife interrupted a full on buglary - the 'agent' was using an old card with outdated info - was he actually an agent or a common burglar that had some stolen or reprinted business cards?

I suspect he may have been an imposter posing as a realtor to gain access to listed houses - the card only ads to the cover story and put you wife at ease enough to let him get out of the house. It's pretty smart when you think about it. When I was selling a condo, my agent would call and say a viewing agent would be stopping by at a particular time. I'd clean the place and vacate for a few hours - more than enough time to get my stuff taken.

I would shift from - 'times are tough for re agents' to 'wow, I'm lucky it was only a few hundred in coins'

[Walter_Middie]

Follow him around. when he stops at a property to meet homeowners wait for him to leave, then explain to them what he did.

And then take time to hit the "Enter" key between paragraphs when you're telling us how you ruined his business.

M21 - Sounds like harassment (the following him around part, not the paragraph part ) But I like it.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

Follow him around. when he stops at a property to meet homeowners wait for him to leave, then explain to them what he did.

And then take time to hit the "Enter" key between paragraphs when you're telling us how you ruined his business.

If he's a legit agent (part time burglar) and your comments cost him listings then you just gave him grounds for a defamation suit.

Just sayin.

[Dantilla]

This is why I refuse to have a key box put on our home. I don't want strangers to have access 24/7.

I also don't allow the "For Sale" sign when I'm buying or selling fixer-uppers. Keeps looky-loos from traipsing all around, peeking through the windows.

[Walter_Middie]

This is why I refuse to have a key box put on our home. I don't want strangers to have access 24/7.

I asked about this exact thing when they put the lock box on the door. I was assured that they could tell who was getting in and when. I guess they really don't know who is getting in unless that person wants to give his info.

[id10t]

What was the website on the card?

[Walter_Middie]

The web site on the card was:

www.DLA-RealtyGroup.com

[kstar]

Originally Posted by Walter_Middie

The web site on the card was:

www.DLA-RealtyGroup.com

That domain is not registered.

Totally fabricated.

You are on the trail of a real thief, not a wanna-be.

[Heel n Toe]

1. That dude must've had some Captain Kangaroo sized pockets.

2. Aren't you glad he wasn't a feelthy rapist, too?

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by Walter_Middie

I asked about this exact thing when they put the lock box on the door. I was assured that they could tell who was getting in and when. I guess they really don't know who is getting in unless that person wants to give his info.

I bet the cops could find out. You can edit the info that the box "sees." BUT, each of those Supra "e-keys" (lockbox openers) has a tracked serial number, and you have to register with GE/Supra to get one, and I believe a credit card is also required. Here is their main contact #: 1-877-699-6787. Hope you find the dirtbag.

[id10t]

Originally Posted by kstar

That domain is not registered.

Totally fabricated.

You are on the trail of a real thief, not a wanna-be.

Not only is it not currently registered, but apparently it never has been... archive.org has nothing for it, even going back to '96

[Walter_Middie]

Here is their main contact #: 1-877-699-6787.

Thanks Eric - I will call them.

[Noah930]

Heck, call the local television news stations. See if they'll pick up the story and maybe do some of the investigative legwork with/for you. Go find that Keller Williams agent and arrange for a meeting at his office. See if your wife recognizes him as the guy she bumped into in your house. You may or may not want to let him know that someone's going around posing as him while commiting burglary.

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by Noah930

You may or may not want to let him know that someone's going around posing as him while commiting burglary.

Or worse.