You've gotta be kidding me right? You are looking at the outside of the house BY YOURSELF. The owner isn't showing you around; you are snooping/trespassing.
/end thread
Capt Caveman
Lifer
- Jan 30, 2005
- 34,543
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- 126
Whoozyerdaddy
Lifer
- Jun 27, 2005
- 19,216
- 1
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You were absolutely wrong to do that. People hire RE agents specifically to avoid creepy shit like that. If you want to see the house contact the agent OR get your own (buyer's agents are free) and make an appointment. If you are just going to refuse to get an agent then go to a mortgage guy, get a pre-qual letter and make appointments directly with the listing agents of the properties you want to see. (They won't talk to you unless you are qualified to buy the house)
It's OK to drive around and look but stay on the street. Never trespass onto the property.
I think the deciding factor is whether these houses you looked at were occupied or not. If they're vacant, I don't see a problem with what the OP did. If they're occupied, then I'd consider it trespassing and would agree with the cop.
I've found it best for my health not to argue with a cop. After all, he WILL win the argument. Why let your pride get in the way and end up in jail?
Now, if my life were in danger or something like that I'd tell him to fuck off, but for something like that I'd say yes sir, calmly explain my position and ASK kindly if I can continue to look around without getting on peeps property. If he says no, guess what, my arguing with him "about my rights" isn't going to change his mind. To think otherwise is asinine
Now, if my life were in danger or something like that I'd tell him to fuck off, but for something like that I'd say yes sir, calmly explain my position and ASK kindly if I can continue to look around without getting on peeps property. If he says no, guess what, my arguing with him "about my rights" isn't going to change his mind. To think otherwise is asinine
yeah, frankly you were on private property without permission and definately looked suspicious even if you were just checking out houses. You either need to get a street view of the property or setup a time with the buyer to check the property. The cop did what he needed to imo.
Whoozyerdaddy
Lifer
- Jun 27, 2005
- 19,216
- 1
- 61
If you really wanted to push things i would have gotten his name and then called the person selling the house and told them you were harresed by a cop.
If I was a seller i would be pissed, esp. in this market.
And no he was not in the wrong. When a house is for sale it is pretty much expected to be looked at. We had people walk around our house when it was for sale. We did not care, its for sale we want people to look.
If I was a seller i would be pissed, esp. in this market.
And no he was not in the wrong. When a house is for sale it is pretty much expected to be looked at. We had people walk around our house when it was for sale. We did not care, its for sale we want people to look.
I'm glad I have gotten away with the crime of walking around a home for sale/rent hundreds of time without arrest!
Dress? Blue jeans & denim jacket. Bike? Honda shadow.
I realize the cop was just doing his job. I knew perfectly well why he was there. To make sure I wasn't trying to break in. This is why I was very polite and tried to be cooperative with him. I guess my hang up is when I was told I have to pay for an agent 'Because thats what you do'.
LOL at all you people saying the OP should have gotten a badge number.
So if I am crook casing a house that has a for sale sign I look different than someone interested in a house that has a for sale sign?
If I am casing the house is that illegal, can they arrest me for that?
Also, so if I have a for sale sign in front of my house you can just come look the in windows and check things out, but if I don't you can't?
People, please think about the answers to these questions before you keep bashing a cop legimately doing his job to keep a neighborhood safe from trespassers.
Note: I have done the exact same thing as the OP, gone around back, checked things out at a house that was for rent. However, if a cop stopped me I am not going to think that he is the one in the wrong.
So if I am crook casing a house that has a for sale sign I look different than someone interested in a house that has a for sale sign?
If I am casing the house is that illegal, can they arrest me for that?
Also, so if I have a for sale sign in front of my house you can just come look the in windows and check things out, but if I don't you can't?
People, please think about the answers to these questions before you keep bashing a cop legimately doing his job to keep a neighborhood safe from trespassers.
Note: I have done the exact same thing as the OP, gone around back, checked things out at a house that was for rent. However, if a cop stopped me I am not going to think that he is the one in the wrong.
lokiju
Lifer
- May 29, 2003
- 18,526
- 5
- 0
I've gone even around to the side of a house before.
I even was looking over a fence of a house for sale when the home owner pulled up and invited my wife and I into the house to view it.
People just get all worked up over stupid shit IMO.
If the house is for sale and someone is driving around neighborhoods looking, sees one for sale and wants to check it out a little closer without breaking down any doors or anything, then I see no issue with it whatsoever.
If it was 11PM at night, that'd be a different story.
I even was looking over a fence of a house for sale when the home owner pulled up and invited my wife and I into the house to view it.
People just get all worked up over stupid shit IMO.
If the house is for sale and someone is driving around neighborhoods looking, sees one for sale and wants to check it out a little closer without breaking down any doors or anything, then I see no issue with it whatsoever.
If it was 11PM at night, that'd be a different story.
The cop wasn't wrong for checking, the cop was wrong in saying the OP had to get an agent and not come back without one or he would be arrested.
I'd get the badge number in case I got stopped when I came back again.
You need permission to enter private property. An agent would have secured that before showing the property. The cop is correct, you need to get an agent if you wish to enter the property. If you insist on checking them out your self, you need to contact there realtor to arrange a showing. He could have arrested you right there and charged you with trespassing. He did not, so he did you a favor.
Whoozyerdaddy
Lifer
- Jun 27, 2005
- 19,216
- 1
- 61
You don't pay for a buyer's agent... the seller pays the commission to the listing broker who then offers a percentage of that commission to the procuring broker who then offers a percentage of that to the selling agent who gets you access to the house sans angry cop.
Get an agent.
I want to quickly take your side but the owners had no previous knowledge of your visit, you were tresspassing and the cop may have been witness to similar instances where perps were staking out homes with for sale signs posing as buyers.
heh - do you think the press is going to give 2 $hits about this? Nope. You'll just spend a few hours in jail and end up paying some fines with nothing to show for it. Unfortunately too many officers are and ego trips. Yes, there are many good officers too and I respect the tough job they do. However the fact still remains that many like to just throw their power around b/c they can.
You're lucky you're still alive. The officer could easily have "Been in fear for his life and the life of others" and shot you dead, no questions asked.
wheresmybacon
Diamond Member
- Sep 10, 2004
- 3,899
- 1
- 76
If you're interested enough in the house to warrant walking around their front and back yards just call the agent. If I were a neighbor of theirs I would've called the cops too.
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