Local Realtor attacked :(

[Fandango 1,440]

Flasschoen, 56, of Daytona Beach and a Realtor for Realty Xperts, was showing a home to Balazs Kris Gombos, 30, at 621 Elizabeth Place in South Daytona about noon Monday. He seemed like an ordinary guy, and they spent more than a half hour ambling through the one-story home as she showed off its charms such as the screened-in porch and fireplace.

In a front bedroom, Gombos asked her about an outlet missing a face plate, saying he was afraid his daughter might electrocute herself. She kneeled down to take a better look. She said he pulled out a hammer and hit her twice on the back of the head.

"I thought something fell from the ceiling," she said.

Never collapsing from the two blows, Flasschoen ran out of the room. But he blocked her path to the front door, pulling out a gun and ordering her back in the bedroom.

She said Gombos told her: "I want your money. I don't want to hurt you, but I will."

full story here

I screen everyone I show a house to....first, I meet them in my office...I take a copy of their driver's license. I also get them prequalified because A) it helps them know what the range of what they can afford and B ) someone with sinister intentions is not likely to sit down with a mtg broker & give all their information.

Then I make a schedule of where we'll be, attached with the dl...and give it to someone. We also have code words that when I am called to be checked up on, if something bad is going down, I say the codeword & somehow work in my location so they'll know to dispatch the police. I also don't take anyone in my car with me....they can follow behind.

Police officers arrested Gombos of South Daytona and found two knives, pepper spray, handcuffs, along with the hammer and the gun, which turned out to be a pellet gun. Gombos was charged with robbery and aggravated assault, and was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail where he was being held Monday night on $29,000 bail.

"It's a dangerous occupation," said Lt. Ron Wright, police spokesman. "The Realtor never knows who they're meeting."

Still, with all the precautions, it's so terrifying because let's face it, it IS dangerous

The realtor's hubby was on the news last night saying he's pushing for 'attempted murder' charges.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Wow.

[Yaads 0]

Thats scary I am glad you take so many precautions to keep yourself safe

[Carol&Marc 0]

Is there a way to have the ppl meet you in your office first?

[almaty 19]

that is terrible..sounds like you have a good idea how to keep safe

[munchkins 0]

Sounds like you are doing everything you can Lisa, but stay safe and never take chances

[Fandango 1,440]

I just spoke to a coworker of mine, and she's thinkin about goin for a concealed weapons permit

I mean I wanna be safe, but I'm not all 'annie get yer gun' or anything. But this has really thrown my profession into a tailspin, I'll tell ya that!

[pedroh 21]

get a tazer, or some pepper spray.. of course the good ole' baseball bat in the car has to be present in your inventory lol.. to add the final touch of 'dont touch me u motha!'

[Tiksman 0]

Not to add fuel to the fire but there were a few realtors killed a few years ago here in Atlanta..

Be carefull out there.

[ChristinaM 0]

It's a major concern in the UK too. I, like Lisa, had codewords and a published schedule within the office, although the pre-qualification thing isn't as big in the UK (like, it doesn't exist!) so we don't have that safety guard. I used to carry (and still do!) my Swiss army knife; it's heavy enough to stop someone in their tracks.

Stay safe, girlie!