It is with deep sadness that we report on the murders of two prominent Northeast Ohio REALTORS last week.
Andrew J. VonStein, with Cutler Real Estate Ravenna Office, was found dead inside a vacant property listed for sale in Portage County. According to news reports, the Portage County Sherriff’s Office has ruled the death a homicide and is undergoing an extensive investigation.
Vivian Martin, broker-owner of Essence Realty from Youngstown and a member of the Youngstown Columbiana Association of REALTORS was also the victim of a violent homicide. This case is also under investigation.
In addition to these situations, we have been informed that there was an additional incident this week involving another Youngstown REALTOR being held at gunpoint for over an hour by three males.
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Often, one of the last things on our minds when we show property is our safety.
Do you know who you're showing properties to? Did you meet them in your office first and make a copy of their photo ID? Do you let others know where you'll be showing? Do you have a 'code word' to implement in an emergency? Is your cell phone charged with you during showings? Would you walk into a vacant home where the door was already unlocked?
Always take a moment before going to show properties and ask yourself if you're prepared for an emergency.
You must also decide if you are going to do open houses and if so, how will you prepare for them and what steps will you take to protect yourself during an open house.
Andrew J. VonStein, with Cutler Real Estate Ravenna Office, was found dead inside a vacant property listed for sale in Portage County. According to news reports, the Portage County Sherriff’s Office has ruled the death a homicide and is undergoing an extensive investigation.
Vivian Martin, broker-owner of Essence Realty from Youngstown and a member of the Youngstown Columbiana Association of REALTORS was also the victim of a violent homicide. This case is also under investigation.
In addition to these situations, we have been informed that there was an additional incident this week involving another Youngstown REALTOR being held at gunpoint for over an hour by three males.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Often, one of the last things on our minds when we show property is our safety.
Do you know who you're showing properties to? Did you meet them in your office first and make a copy of their photo ID? Do you let others know where you'll be showing? Do you have a 'code word' to implement in an emergency? Is your cell phone charged with you during showings? Would you walk into a vacant home where the door was already unlocked?
Always take a moment before going to show properties and ask yourself if you're prepared for an emergency.
You must also decide if you are going to do open houses and if so, how will you prepare for them and what steps will you take to protect yourself during an open house.
Here is a great, blog post about safety on ActiveRain from Realtor M.C. Griffin Campbell:
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