What would you do if $150,000 was stolen at an open house?

That’s exactly what one Southern California agent is asking right now after a team of thieves hit an open house they were hosting!

Details haven’t been released, but it seems that a couple entered the open house on the $1.6 million listing posing as buyer and distracted the agent while 2 accomplices came in and bee-lined upstairs where they stole an expensive watch collection that was lamely hidden in the closet and an iPad and camera.  This was all caught on surveillance video.

One question that always comes up is “is the agent liable?” and the answer really is I don’t know.  There might be room for some kind of a negligence civil suit… but it’s easier just to discuss how to prevent this right up front.

1. Don’t do open houses alone. period.
2. Talk to your sellers about REMOVING valuables from the house during showings and open houses, or lock them in a secure safe.
3. Hire law enforcement to park their marked cruiser and stand guard in uniform.  (yes it costs a few hundred dollars, but look at what it would have saved in this case, not to count the marketing position it would put you in!)
4. Have a nice sign at the front door “Video surveillance in use and ID required for all showings”
5. Actually have video camera’s in use (the seller did) and require ID from all guests.

These are a few very simple steps that most likely would have prevented this theft.

What other steps do you take on your open houses?

Here’s the link to the story:  http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/08/30/real-estate-agent-reportedly-lets-in-jewel-thieves-during-open-house-150000-in-loot-stolen.html