And Yet Another Safety Issue When It Comes to Vacant Homes

I could not believe it, as I was doing my morning surf of the web looking for relevant industry news on what is going on in the housing industry across the country I come across a short blurb from the Aldine/North Houston News

Unfortunately, this is a very short article of only 116 words - but powerful words that got me to sit up straight in my chair and take notice. Powerful enough for me to put out a warning - not only to my own team and office but to everyone in the real estate industry that reads what I share.

The short version is that 3 people went to a vacant home for sale at 8 o'clock t night, 2 were let in and then ambushed once inside by a pair of armed gunmen. They were robbed at gun point. When the crooks fled, apparently they were not counting on the 3^rd person waiting outside by the car - a woman whom the thieves shot in their get-a-way. The woman was treated for a non-life threatening injury - but just the same, she got shot looking at a house she wanted to buy. The bad guys got away.

I wish there might have been another 100 words or so top answer some of the questions I have. Apparently the woman was the sister to one of the men and the other was a friend that they wanted to show the home to. The article says ‘another man' let the pair in. He later disappeared and has not been found.

So who is this ‘other guy? A bona-fide agent...or? Was he in cahoots with the bad guys? What kind of neighborhood was this...multiple-million dollar homes - working class neighborhood or inner city ghetto?

Does it matter? No, what matters is your safety - so please be careful whenever approaching a vacant home.