Realtor Killed in Foreclosed Home: An Inside Perspective

“So anyway, this is the kitchen - beautiful isn’t it - and in the living room you will notice the, um, the dead body on the floor?”

Many of you telephone us, having seen something you like the look of online, and ask us to just meet you there at the property for a viewing. We’ve never met you, you’ve never been to our office - you’re not even a client.

Some buyers are surprised when we want to “pre-qualify” them before meeting them at an empty house or putting them our cars; that is, make sure they are ready, willing and able to purchase a home before they we show them homes.

This period is also an opportunity for the buyer to decide if they would like the Realtor in question to represent their home buying interests, while the Realtor also has an opportunity to decide whether or not the buyer is likely to be um, an axe weilding psychopath? You see, meeting random strangers who want to go see houses isn’t really part of a Realtor’s job description, although many agents are willing to take the risk in the hope of finding a client. But in reality, a buyer should become a client first, get pre-qualified for a loan second, and look for houses last of all. But I digress.

Back to the story: the dead man on the living room floor is 45 year old Ricardo Contreras, a California agent that had gone missing the week before. In this case, the victim was actually male - which only goes to prove that equal opportunity is alive and well in the murder business. 

And which is why an agent might respectfully ask to meet with you at the office before showing you homes. They’re not being awkward, they just don’t know you from Adam. Chances are that you’re not a homicidal maniac but you might not have a penny to your name, which is far, far worse. Personally, I don’t mind being found dead on my own living room tile, but on a dirty carpet in a foreclosed home? Mamamia… the indignity of it all!

Original news post

website translation

Orlando Home Sales Increase Again

Orlando home sales in the market grew more than 43 percent in June 2009, according to the Orlando Realtor Association.

Association members sold 2,131 homes last month in the Orlando metropolitan area, and the sales growth has finally helped bring down area inventory supply to single digits.

Nearly 46 percent of the homes were either bank-owned or distressed property sales. Homes in the Orlando area spent an average of 104 days on the market before being sold in June, and the average home sold for 93.8 percent of its listing price - which may surprise many.

About 184 single-family homes sold in the $200,000-$250,000 range, while 10 homes sold for $1 million or more.

Along with stronger sales, 7,230 homes were awaiting closings, more than double the 3,329 that were pending at this time last year.

Duplex, townhome and villa resales also jumped nearly 32.8 percent, from 131 in June 2008 to 174 last month.

website translation