As If This Crappy Real Estate Market Wasn’t Bad Enough
One of the potential hazards of working with the public – is that you have to work with the public. Most of the time, it’s a great social experience – and you’ll find most agents to be outgoing and friendly. But working with the public can bring some unexpected – and unwelcome – surprises.
July 1st started out as any other day for Troy VanderStelt, a real estate agent with Nexes Realty in Muskegon, Michigan. Robert Johnson, a former client whom VanderStelt represented in the purchase of his home, came to the Nexes Realty office where he was asked to wait for VanderStelt in a conference room. When VanderStelt arrived at the conference room, Johnson allegedly distracted VanderStelt with a portfolio of papers – then shot him point blank in the temple.
Apparently Johnson was getting ready to sell his home – and was advised by another agent that his home was not worth what he paid for it… so instead of considering the current real estate market conditions – Johnson decided he was going to take matters into his own hands.
Troy VanderStelt, 33, leaves behind a loving wife and four children… and a damaged community that feels the loss. This is the first murder this year in the county – and the first murder in 20 years in the town.
If you have a few extra dollars that you can spare, an educational trust has been set up for Troy’s children where you help this family in their time of need.
If you would like to read more about this tragic story, try here:
Sue says:
Doug, this is probably one of, if not THE most disturbing and tragic real estate story I have ever heard. 🙁
July 11, 2008 — 1:13 pm
Doug Quance says:
>Sue: Yes, very disturbing, indeed.
Society can not even get their pound of flesh off of Johnson, since he is 73 and not likely to live much longer, anyway.
So he who has lived a long life snuffs out someone in their prime with many mouths to feed.
We all lose in this scenario.
July 11, 2008 — 1:19 pm
Ann Cummings says:
Wow – how sad and tragic that story is, and how awful for Troy’s family. I just don’t understand people who think like that man who killed him think. You just wonder why he didn’t just go find another agent who would have listed his property for whatever price he wanted…..
So very sad…..
July 11, 2008 — 3:07 pm
Thomas Johnson says:
Realtors should always be aware of their own safety-first. One of the ways we can assure that we come home upright is to exercise our 2nd amendment rights. I doubt that if Troy had been armed, it would have made a difference, but the fact that he was thinking about his own safety might have changed circumstances…
We all should review our own safety behavior:
Don’t lead a prospect into a room so they can block the doors. Check buyers in at the office or a public place. Have a duress code if a situation gets weird. We all know these basics.
Our prayers go out to Troy’s family and colleagues.
I hope the prosecutor asks for and gets permanent rehabilitation for Johnson. He won’t die soon enough, but he will get to see the ruin of his own family while he waits…
July 11, 2008 — 8:08 pm
Sue says:
If you’re a woman doing an open house alone, keep your cell phone in your hand. If someone seems suspicious, hang near the door and ask another guest to stick around if that option is available.
July 12, 2008 — 6:16 am
Doug Quance says:
>Ann: Yes, it is tragic. Hard times make some people do some rather irrational things, sometimes.
>Thomas: You’re right… the 2nd Amendment wouldn’t have helped Troy in this instance. And unless you have wronged a client – who would expect this to happen?
>Sue: Female agents shouldn’t do open houses alone… they should get another agent or a loan originator to assist. Most predators choose to single out their victims.
July 12, 2008 — 6:49 am
Sue says:
Johnson is obviously insane and seeing what this does to his family may not even affect him.
I agree that woman shouldn’t do open houses alone. No one in my office seems to understand the risk of that. Sitting in a house with the door unlocked and signs all over the place to come on in…not to mention the ads in the paper and internet.
July 12, 2008 — 7:05 am
Doug Quance says:
>Sue: Not to mention that so many agents – particularly women – like to use their personal images in their branding… makes those open houses that much more dangerous.
July 12, 2008 — 7:12 am
Ken in Chicago says:
Wow. There is nothing that you can even do to prevent something like this. You already knew the person so you wouldn’t take precautions, plus it was in the office with people around so your guard is down no matter what.
After reading this I need to go spend some time with my family. Talk about a reminder of what’s important in life.
July 12, 2008 — 8:55 am
Doug Quance says:
>Ken: It is a wake-up call, no doubt.
July 13, 2008 — 10:48 am
Geno Petro says:
“One of the potential hazards of working with the public – is that you have to work with the public.”
…a phrase worthy of an entry in Bartlett’s Quoations.
On the other hand, such a sad, sad story.
July 13, 2008 — 5:20 pm
Judy Orr says:
Wow! I didn’t hear about this one. I’m in shock right now. I agree with Ken that in this particular situation there was no way anyone would have expected this to happen. It’s not the same scenario as open houses or showing properties.
This crazy man was on a mission and would have shot Troy with the door closed or open. Even if Troy were armed he certainly didn’t see this coming and wouldn’t have had the chance to protect himself. I’m sick to my stomach.
July 14, 2008 — 8:17 am
Doug Quance says:
>Geno: I coined a phrase that will suffice:
“It wouldn’t be a hosing – if it wasn’t a hosing.”
You can submit that to Bartlett’s on my behalf.
July 16, 2008 — 2:15 pm
Doug Quance says:
>Judy: Yes, this event would have been very difficult to predict and prevent. Only those close to Johnson could have made a difference.
July 16, 2008 — 2:17 pm