a prospective buyer in a rural area near Little Rock. Prosecutors said Lewis and his estranged wife set up the fake house showing with Carter, then kidnapped her.” This is obviously a situation you want to avoid. I’m not suggesting the Realtor’s® death was her own fault; rather, it’s a cautionary tale for homeowners to do their research before letting strangers into their home. I don’t know what steps the Realtor® took beforehand, but perhaps if she had done more research into Arron Lewis, she would have realized that he’s a criminal and exercised more caution (such as meeting him at her own suggested location, with someone else with her), and perhaps her life would have been spared. It’s a daunting story, but it’s a true one, and these things can, and do, happen. Learn to protect yourself and your investment. Here are more safety tips: • Let someone know where you’re going to be when showing your property. Tell someone (a family member or close friend, or business associate) where you’re going to be. Just let them know you’re showing your house, give them the address, and tell them you’ll contact them at a certain time, and if they don’t hear from you, to contact you (and possibly the police). • If anything seems “off ” beforehand, don’t show the house. Trust your gut. If something feels “off,” if you’re getting a strange vibe, if you feel uncomfortable or unsafe for any reason, then abort the mission. Don’t set up a meeting. If you already have, cancel it. If you’re already meeting the person, find an excuse or fake an emergency and don’t show your property. • Be aware of your surroundings at all times. When you go
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