Last week I had an appointment to look at a townhouse close to downtown, no big deal, do that all the time. The Realtor told me he wanted to meet me there. Ok, I have no problem with that. Then he said he wanted to meet me somewhere before we got to the townhouse and for me to follow him. Again, I didn't think too much about it, sure no problem. When I met him, he said to follow him he didn't want me to go alone. Hmm...now that started to sound a little strange. He tells me the street is a one-way, and we would be turning down it the wrong way so park as soon as I could. We get to the street, he pulls into the first available spot, as there was construction trucks parked everywhere. So here I go down this one way street to find the closest spot available. Getting honked at, and flipped off in the progress! I see him out in the street, looking at me with this panicked look on his face. I get out of my Suburban, not paying too much attention and start walking down to the townhouse, still not totally aware of my surroundings ( was walking and checking in my bag to make sure I had everything). I finally make it down to him, and as we are standing on the front porch I start looking around, and see at least 6 huge, very intimidating men in white undershirts sitting on the front porches and sidewalk of several old dilapidated shacks across from the property. He hurries me into the door and locks it. I go inside and look out the front seeing a woman looking through my windows of my suburban and quickly realize this was not an area I should be in. He then proceeds to tell me, he had made the same mistake I had going down the one-way street, a week before, but had kept going about 3 more blocks, stopping at a red light. He was sitting there when out of no where 6 big "dudes" as he called them, ran over to him, in his BMW and jumped on his car, pounding it, and trying to break his windows with their fists, screaming and yelling at him. He threw it in reverse, and floored it, luckily no one was behind him. He said he had never been so afraid of dying in his entire life. He was still visibly shaken up, and kept looking out the windows checking on his car outside. Then I find out, the rather large men had been getting paid to "watch the place" so nothing would be stolen. It was a high crime "crack" area, and these people will stop at nothing to get their next high. I couldn't believe the investor of the property wanted it staged, their was no alarm, no security fence, nothing to keep these people out. It was a great place too, had a fantastic view of downtown, all the amenities, but it was in the wrong location to say the least. Obviously, I didn't feel comfortable doing this job, and knew the furniture and accessories would be stolen the minute I left. And I certainly would not have gone their alone, or with even two other male figures for protection. These people would not have thought twice about harming us to get what they wanted. When I left, the builder walked me to my suburban, and I was told to make a very quick u-turn and get out of there fast. Later, I told the Realtor how I felt, and he said he understood, and apologized for scaring me, he said he was scared too.
The Realtors seemed like nice people and they were only trying to please their client, but If I had been told about the area, I would have never even considered it. This was another lesson learned, and I'm sure there will be plenty more, but if you are not familiar with a particular area, don't be afraid to ask specific questions before venturing out and taking a chance with your safety. It's just not worth it!
This not only applies to home stagers, but to Realtors or anyone going to visit a property for any reason.
Luckily, the day ended on a positive note. I had another appointment in a gorgeous affluent area and safety was not an issue!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
© Redesign Etc.,Inc. 2006-2012. All Rights Reserved.
Redesign Etc. of Houston is a Full-Service real estate staging company. We stage vacant, occupied, builders specs, condos, townhomes, vacation rentals and commercial property. We offer furniture & accessory rentals at competitive rates. Insured & Incorporated with the State of TX.
Owner, Cindy Bryant has earned the RESA-PROTM designation, holding professional home stagers to the highest industry standards, ethics, integrity and proficiency in staging techniques while protecting Homeowners and Real Estate Agents.
Please visit our portfolio of before and afters and website for more information. Check out our profile page too! Check out our sister sites for the Houston Bay Area League City Home Staging and Galveston Home Staging. Please contact Cindy Bryant for more information or call 281-748-2170.
Areas Served: Houston, River Oaks, Tanglewood, Bellaire, Piney Point, Mid-Town, The Heights, Montrose, Texas Medical Center, The East End, West Loop/Galleria/Memorial, Downtown, Museum District, West University, Spring Branch, Royal Oaks-Lakeside, League City, Clear Lake City, Friendswood, Kemah, Seabrook, Pearland, Sugar Land, Spring, Cypress, Tomball, The Woodlands, Kingwood. And all areas down to Galveston Island.
Wow Cindy! I would have been just as scared! You did the right thing of not taking the job where you don't feel comfortable. It's not worth the risk.
I glad you could end your day on a positive note!
Yeah, I actually staged one of these properties and didn't actually even know about it until I was done - when the homeowner & agent asked me to make sure the curtains were closed so nothing got stolen (no this isn't the house everything did get stolen this weekend!)
I left very unsure of the security of my items..... After 1 year of staging not a single renovated unit sold (there were 8). Was this bad staging? Was it the staging that was unsuccessful? NO! It was not the right location for this beautiful renovation.
Don't risk yourself for this job (or your stuff frankly).... no way no how!
Julia,
Funny, I was just discussing that point the other day. Your absolutely right, someone should know your schedule, whether it be a family member, friend, or even neighbor. At least give them names, phone number and addresses if possible. So if something happens they idea of where you'd been. Great point!
Melissa,
It really does give new meaning to location, location, location! Nobody in their right mind would buy in an area like this, the Realtor even said, they would never sell this place. It's a shame to, because this property was gorgeous inside, but no amount of staging could change the location.
I'm so sorry to hear about the theft of your furniture. Unfortunately, vacant staging is a dream come true for thieves. I hope this is not a future trend in vacants we are going to see.
Tara,
Your right, always follow your gut, mine has never steered me wrong. That's not to say I've not always followed it, with usual regret though!
Cindy,
I have had several calls lately that made me think is this person really looking to stage their home. One of them had not even gotten a realtor yet, but wanted me stage his home. I told my husband before I met with him where I was going and I even left my cell phone on with 911 dialed in so I could just press the dial button. Once I got there he gave me a big sob story about how he and his girlfriend had just broken up and his business partner had taken off with a bunch of money etc. etc.etc. I think we all need to ask more detailed questions when potential clients and realtors call us. I,m glad you are safe. Please let me know where in Houston or what realtor called you so I know not to go there.
Hi Cindy,
I am in Houston/Conroe/Woodlands area and I am very careful about making appointments with clients. I leave the address and contact information with my husband and sometimes my parents in case I don't return. I also try to take someone with me for the consultation to get a feel for the clients and the area. You just have to be so careful. My parents had a friend when we were growing up and her sister that was a Realtor was murdered in a vacant home she was showing to a male client that she went there to meet. He had given her a fake name and said he was a former client of another Realtor who used to work at her office so she felt safe meeting him. Come to find out the other Realtor had never heard of him so he had just used her name. I guess the sister never checked with the other Realtor. Anyway- lots of areas in Houston are questionable so be careful. Thank you for posting so that others will be more aware.
Your story gives me goose bumps. Before there was a HAR in the Woodlands we got lost down in Houston going to HAR. We were riding the feeder and all of a sudden it disapperared. We ended up in a not very nice area and spent the next 30 minutes trying to find our way back to I-45. I was so glad I was not alone. Now I have my trusty GPS to get me out of those types of situations but this was quite a while ago so those were ridiculously expensive back then.
We can't be too careful in this profession and I have learned to stay in the areas that I know. I learned that lesson the hard way.
Ann- Having your phone on 911 is a good idea. The realtors decided not to stage the property, so you don't have to worry about going there. Thanks, makes you a little more aware of your environment.
Anthea- Good point, I can't believe the Realtor would go back to that place.
Maureen- Yes, your right, always follow your gut. And pay attention to your surroundings.
Tracy- That is horrifying. And I have an appointments with several "single" men next week. I'll be more cautioius from now on.
Marchel- I know the area around downtown can be very confusing, and down right scary!