Special offer
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate, Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker (Fred Griffin Real Estate)

Spam prevention
Rainmaker
716,049
Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Phoenix Scottsdale. Sellers, Buyers & Relocations

Yep, had this happen with clients and with no clients - exactly twice.

#1 - call the listing agent for the correct code and instructions to turn off.

#2 - wait for the police and explain. Last time I did this, I waited for them by the front door of a luxury home and waived them down myself.

Sep 01, 2017 10:14 PM
Rainmaker
2,390,620
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Call the listing agent first and if necessary call the police to let them know it's a false alarm and you will be there to answer questions. Those of us who carry may want to put our weapons in the car while waiting Fred Griffin .

Sep 01, 2017 06:12 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Normalle the police are coming so I have stayed.

Sep 01, 2017 05:39 PM
Rainer
509,449
Susie Kay
Ultra Real Estate Dallas Fort Worth - Plano, TX
North Dallas Specialist

I did that and I called the listing agent.  Wait to see if someone would come or call me back.

Sep 02, 2017 06:45 PM
Rainmaker
1,543,823
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

I stay, call the agent and wait for the cops. I may sell the police the house, why leave?

Sep 01, 2017 07:44 PM
Ambassador
2,061,864
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

I have had it happen, more than once.  I stay.  I wait, to greet the police (if they're coming)... and, once I can be heard (it's hard to be heard when the alarm is blaring)... I call the agent to see if we can turn the alarm off, and make sure the owner knows it's not a break-in).

btw... if it was my fault... I will pay any fee... but only if it's my fault.  usually, they knew they had a showing, but forgot to turn off the alarm.

Sep 01, 2017 06:50 PM
Ambassador
5,230,113
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I've had this happen - I phone the showing service, the LA and we simply wait outside until the alarm stops sounding or we get the disarm code - then tour the home. 

I've never not heard back from someone right away with a disarm code but, if that happened, I would expect that the police would arrive. If they don't, we would leave.

Each time I've set off alarms, there was nothing in showing instructions about an alarm even existing! 

Sep 01, 2017 06:17 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

I hang around for the cops & let the buyers go. Calling the agent is of no help unless they can get the seller right away.

Sep 02, 2017 06:05 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I call the listing agent and do stay, it is worse to run

Sep 02, 2017 05:30 AM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

It's happened to me - I called the listing agent, who actually had bad instructions re: disarming it. Luckily, no police showed up... We got the alarm under control and continued with the showing. Another time the listing agent couldn't disarm the alarm and had to call the owner, who was away.

Sep 02, 2017 05:01 AM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Run for it. actually, just wait. Call listing agent about getting instrcutions. i wouldn't call police. let them come and fine the homeowner. Even if you did call the police, they might just say " how do we know you're not the one breaking in"?  Let the LA handle it, who should call seller, who will call alarm company, and either homeowner or alarm company can call police.

Sep 02, 2017 03:41 AM
Rainer
213,263
Dennis Swartz
Full Circle Property Management - Columbus, OH
MBA, GRI...experience counts!

I would notify the listing agent and stay to see if cops show up to explain...

Sep 02, 2017 03:33 AM
Ambassador
2,436,099
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

My clients want to see the house! If they are game, we'll stay and get it resolved.

One time I was already inside a vacant house and we were opening a door to the outside and this really loud alarm went off. I called the agent and he had no clue what I was talking about. The noise eventually stopped and no police came, so we kept up our tour. We found out later that there used to be a family living there and they put some sort of alarm on that door so they'd know if the kids went outside. 

Sep 02, 2017 02:41 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,283
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Stuff happens.  When this has happened, I will contact the listing agent...and/or wait for the police to arrive.  I'm trying to recall how this situation was handled with buyers and my memory escapes me.    

Sep 01, 2017 10:15 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Fred,

I agree with all who said stay.  And the listing agent should be contacted also. A

Sep 01, 2017 09:26 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I stay and call the agent or listing office. I have met some very nice policeman.

Sep 01, 2017 09:22 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

I stayed and then called the alarm company who would not for any reason accede to my request. My logic? If I was robbing the place, why would I stay here and talk with you on the phone? Tell it to the police they responded and when the cops came, they laughed seeing me and my car parked right there waiting for them. Criminals don't wait for cops and I told the Alarm folks that and they responded with...how do we know? 

Sep 01, 2017 06:54 PM
Rainmaker
1,525,616
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

I contact the listing agent and or the seller if I have their contact information. If all else fails, I wait for the police!

Sep 01, 2017 06:33 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I would call the listing agent and get the code to shut it off.... 

Sep 01, 2017 05:38 PM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

I advise my buyers to

 

Sep 02, 2017 03:00 PM
Ambassador
3,383,334
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Been there.  Done that.

Stay.  Call the listing agent and/or seller, depending on whose information i have.  If I can't get through, I call the security company and tell them what's happened.  Worst case, call the police and let them know.  

Would never dream of leaving that scene with an alarm blarring.

Sep 02, 2017 02:25 PM
Rainmaker
711,852
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

Call the listing agent and then the police to let them know about the false alarm.

Sep 02, 2017 02:13 PM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Call the seller or listing agent to get the code to disable. 

Ask the seller to call off police arriving.

If above is not done in time then I wait for the police. Show credentials, etc.

Sep 02, 2017 01:15 PM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

If MLS has a security system listed I usually ask for a code. If it's incorrect I have alternate ways to silence the sirens.

Sep 02, 2017 12:56 PM
Rainer
117,135
Christine Kankowski North SD and Temecula
House Match Inc - Poway, CA
Excellent Sales and Property Management

I call the listing agent asap.  Typically the owner was supposed to turn it off, but didn't     A call usually gets you the vode to turn off.

Sep 02, 2017 09:08 AM
Rainmaker
544,014
Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

Call the listing agent and prepare your business card to show the cops when they show up to prove you have a legit reason to be in the house.

Sep 02, 2017 08:26 AM
Ambassador
5,049,450
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Happened once. I call the LA repeatedly but no answer. No police so after a few minutes we left

Sep 02, 2017 07:40 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,164
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I would try to call for the code to turn it off.

Sep 02, 2017 06:54 AM
Ambassador
2,684,109
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

 I asked the question, because I just took a listing where the Seller insists that the alarm remain active.  Family with pets, children, etc. I understand.  

This Seller can turn the alarm off remotely using her cell phone.  

 So far, so good.

 

Sep 02, 2017 06:33 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Fred Griffin I would call the listing agent for better instructions to turn it off.

Sep 02, 2017 06:28 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,409
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Call the listing agent and apologize to your customers. Nothing burns me more than an alarm set and no heads-up or instructions!

Sep 02, 2017 06:15 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I call the showing service to get the code. They call the listing agent. If this was a mistake by the listing agent in not providing the correct codes or any codes... it's their lookout.

Sep 02, 2017 05:58 AM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Run quick !!!!

Sep 02, 2017 05:58 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Fortunately has not happened

Sep 02, 2017 05:56 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Stay

Sep 02, 2017 04:22 AM
Rainmaker
129,698
sandy straley
Rindlesbach Homes - Salt Lake City, UT
Selling Homes for over 40 Years

Call the listing agent or broker. . . .they should be answering their phone, if not text. . . . .. . then if you have more homes to show. . . . take your buyers to the next home. . . . 

Sep 01, 2017 06:46 PM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

It happened I stayed at the house. The cops came I showed them my cardand my listing. Called the owner asking for instructions. He thought we realtors only show home during the weekend....

Sep 01, 2017 06:33 PM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

ASAP call listing agent and ask for help.

Sep 02, 2018 05:55 PM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Oh, yes, even in our office same agents would forget the code and ADT called me. Lucky me - have the camera in office

Sep 01, 2018 09:22 AM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Most of the alarms around here are Canine, never run from a dog, best to calm them down with a soft voice.  And if that does not work then growl back at them.

Sep 02, 2017 09:31 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I usually ask email or text instructions so I strictly follow them. If it happens I just text/call immediately to a listing agent. Fortunately, I had no such pleasure. 

Sep 02, 2017 07:18 PM
Ambassador
2,161,048
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Call the listing agent and hopefully, they can call the seller to let the alarm company know it's a false alarm.

Sep 02, 2017 08:14 AM
Rainmaker
577,750
Gloria Valvasori, Accredited Senior Agent
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS REAL ESTATE SIGNATURE SERVICE - Mississauga, ON
REAL Experience | REAL Commitment | REAL Results!

I've done that a few times over the years.. So annoying when he house is on the market and you have to deal with an alarm.  I just call the listing agent to advise them what has happened... Get the code to disarm it... and carry on.

Sep 02, 2017 07:27 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I first.call the police them the agent

Sep 01, 2017 06:11 PM
Rainmaker
1,045,440
Dave Martin (703) 585-4687
Fairfax Realty - Fairfax, VA
Making Realty Dreams a Reality #WeWillGetYouHome

Only had it happen once... years ago. I called the agent and the sellers and let them know.

Sep 28, 2018 08:12 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,554
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

This happened last Monday, no alarm code was given and went off on a vacant home once entering.  Called listing agent, he called the seller that turned it off by his phone.  We could then view the home and hear each other!  

Sep 05, 2017 06:20 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I call the listing agent and have them call the seller.  Most alarm companies now won't call the cops without first trying to call the owner first... plus there is a delay before they get alerted.  Typically you have enough time to make that call.

Sep 03, 2017 11:01 AM
Rainmaker
599,274
Nathan Gesner
American West Realty and Management - Cody, WY
Broker / Property Manager

They aren't common in my area but if one went off, I would probably wait on the front steps for someone to respond and correct it.

Sep 03, 2017 07:38 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I will call the listing agent and/or office and stay for a while far enough away so that my eardrums don't burst.

Sep 03, 2017 05:57 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Fred Griffin - Happened with me once. I stayed, cops came, and it was all set when listing agent and seller intervened.

Sep 02, 2017 09:23 PM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I stay until someone responds. Calling has never worked...

Sep 02, 2017 09:22 PM