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Jeff Pearl, Full Service Full Time Realtor (RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA)

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Rainmaker
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Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

And THIS IS WHY these 'door opener services' will drop like a rock.

They were given permission to VIEW the home, not MOVE IN LOL
But this is the unintended consequence of NO AGENT ACCOMPANIMENT.

Sep 13, 2019 01:53 PM
Rainmaker
5,240,021
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Not everyone is a good apple. This couple is proof. They have more issues than just being squatters!

Sep 13, 2019 01:27 PM
Rainmaker
1,847,051
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Well we hashed this out years ago in this forum about buyers having access with a code to a lockbox. Voila .... squatters.

There was just something getting pitched on Shark Tank that was the same disaster. Buyers deserve to get into the properties right away was the reasoning.

If they moved in without a lease or sales contract they are squatters.

Sep 13, 2019 01:13 PM
Rainmaker
637,484
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®
Carmel by the Sea, CA
Rothwell Realty Inc. CA#01968433 Carmel-by-the-Sea

Several years ago now I was showing a vacant house and there was a squatter's stuff all over the living room. Called the brokerage and agent but no one answered the phone, it was a long weekend. Buyer immediately didn't want to have anything to do with this house, and they ended up making an offer on another house that we saw that same afternoon. PS. No one ever got back to me on that issue

Sep 13, 2019 12:42 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,328
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I have never seen a squatter anywhere in my town or surrounding area.... however, when we have a vacant home, we check that home every day.... 

if a seller leaves in the winter, we want that home "winterized"..... all water drained....no heat in the home.... no bathrooms functioning....

everything will be turned on prior to the inspections..... 

there's nothing more horrifying than to see a frozen house with sheets of ice on the walls and more....

 

Sep 13, 2019 12:31 PM
Rainmaker
4,582,434
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

"Opportunity" reveals itself in a variety of ways.  Some positive.  Others quite negative.  

Sep 13, 2019 12:22 PM
Rainmaker
1,206,616
Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

Interesting story, Just when you think you have seen it all.  they were given permission to view the property but not to stay,  One strike against online agencies becoming a player in this country.  

Sep 13, 2019 12:04 PM
Rainmaker
934,302
Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com

I once had a vagrant move into the back storage area of a listing. Of course, he was quickly discovered but it's an issue we will continue to face with home or storage areas that are more easily broken into. In this instance, it's sad that children were put in harms way- not just those who are interested in the property. Sad and tragic.

Sep 13, 2019 02:41 PM
Ambassador
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Another reason to hire a local agent that shows up ‘in person’ rather than an online company that is unable to protect the clients best interests. Wow!

Sep 13, 2019 02:02 PM
Ambassador
6,418,755
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Need to tighten up our laws and procedures.

Sep 13, 2019 12:37 PM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

When we worked in south florida, we found many squatters.  Now that we are in Central Florida have not seen a squatter at all, thank goodness.

It is unnerving to find a stranger in a home who is not fully dressed...creepy.  I would stop, leave...and would not finish showing.

Eve

Sep 13, 2019 12:09 PM
Ambassador
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Well, who on EARTH would have EVER predicted this, Jeff?!

Oh, that's right, WE DID - long ago! 

Sep 13, 2019 09:52 PM
Ambassador
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Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

I haven't personally experienced this in my area but would not be surprised if it's happened.

Sep 13, 2019 12:36 PM
Rainmaker
4,272,934
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

It has been a problem for some time here in my area..

Sep 13, 2019 12:19 PM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Wayne Martin 

You are right!

Sep 15, 2019 09:57 PM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

Yes, Candice A. Donofrio 

Agree with you!

Sep 15, 2019 08:25 PM
Rainmaker
556,536
Greg Cremia
Shore Realty of the Outer Banks - Nags Head, NC

Job security for real real estate agents

Sep 14, 2019 05:07 AM
Rainer
347,523
Kris Collis, Associate Broker
Smart Way America Realty - East Stroudsburg, PA
Professional Results you Expect 570-801-5525

When arriving at unoccupied property some time after settlement, found toilets clogged and stained.  Had to be replaced.  Neighbor advised it was squatters but did not report. 6 neighbors had easy window view of property.

Also this...

Dated yesterday, Are iBuyers Opening the Door to Squatters?  With private, personalized showings and no agent, does iBuyer change code after each show?

Sep 13, 2019 08:42 PM
Rainmaker
2,784,726
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

The only one that can authorize occupancy is the lord of the land or landlord/owner....Ignorance of the law doesn't work with traffic tickets, small claims, assaults and the like why would ignorance work here?

Sep 13, 2019 04:45 PM
Ambassador
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Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

I'm surprised they were able to get them out.

Sep 13, 2019 02:04 PM
Rainmaker
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Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Through an "online real estate company" really wish they'd have named the company.  This just goes to show the value of using a professional agent to list and sell your home.

Sep 13, 2019 02:00 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,587
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Jeff,

It pays to have the agent visit property.  Online is not the end all be all,  I don't know why this doesn't equate with so many..A

Sep 13, 2019 01:26 PM
Rainmaker
2,400,425
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

That's very intriguing Jeff Pearl 

Sep 14, 2019 07:22 PM
Ambassador
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Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

As long as people agree to allow anyone to enter a home without a licensed real estate agent this will continue to be a problem. We cannot fix stupid. 

Even if the code were changed it does not prevent those who entered to case the house or create a means (window, unlocked door) to re-enter and make their self comfortable. 

 

Sep 14, 2019 04:41 PM
Rainmaker
1,728,256
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

It will certainly be a concern and one that we all must be vigilant about. Never engage with them without the police present

Sep 14, 2019 06:48 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

YES and why only licensed aents shoul dget codes to bring their buyers in. These new services that anyone in who asks, is asking for trouble. 

Sep 14, 2019 05:18 AM
Rainmaker
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

There's a difference between having permission to enter a home to look and staying in a home to live.

Sep 13, 2019 03:39 PM
Rainmaker
7,864,157
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

An interesting issue.

Sep 13, 2019 11:43 AM
Rainmaker
759,485
Peter Testa
Nationwide Homes - Danbury, CT
PETER TESTA

I have heard about agents experiencing problems with squatters. I just have not seen that here. Send in a couple of goons to take care of the problem. They're living there illegally & we're here to evict you illegally. Nothing a punch to the face can't fix. 

Sep 14, 2019 07:32 AM
Rainmaker
2,192,058
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Always have to make all doors are locked on empty homes

Sep 14, 2019 06:35 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

WE often hear 'You get what you pay for," in an effort to disparage those offering limited services.

In this case they got what they didn't pay for.

In cultures not based on the 10 Commandants, it is the responsibility of owner to protect/secure their treasure. Failure to do so give liberty for others to redistribute the treasure. In St Petersburg FL, the owner who does not lock the car, in their own driveway, gets the ticket. It is a perversion, but reflective of the road 'justice' is traveling.

Will this become more of a problem? Of course. Until all trace of trust and expectation of civil behavior are gone.

 

 

Sep 14, 2019 05:28 AM
Rainmaker
4,961,536
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

I figure this was over with but guess not.

 

Sep 17, 2019 09:25 AM
Rainmaker
1,323,529
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Squatters in vacant, for sale, houses is not a new happening. Having a service open the door for squatters is new. Might be time to re-think the business model.

Sep 18, 2019 03:23 PM
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