8/20/2015 – 2:49 p.m.

As you may know, Realcomp has received multiple reports from different MLS Subscribers about their listings that have been broken into and burglarized of copper plumbing, hot water tanks, furnaces, appliances, etc.

We bring this to your attention to make you aware of the situation. Based on the number of B&E and burglary incidents that have occurred in the last couple of weeks, please CAREFULLY consider what information (i.e. if the property is vacant, etc.) you include in the Public Remarks of your listings.

Area police confirm that break-ins and burglaries have been happening all over the Metro Detroit area. All involve homes for sale with lock boxes. Police advise that home owners stay vigilant and be aware of suspicious people and vehicles in the area of their home for sale. Also, they encourage sellers to put their valuables in a safe or take them to a bank/safety deposit box or another secure place for the valuables while the home is up for sale.

If you/your sellers have experienced incidents like this recently, please be sure to file a report with the proper authorities. Additionally, if you would like to let Realcomp know about it (call us at (866) 553-3430 or e-mail us at support@realcomp.com), we’ll continue to keep you updated on what we hear from MLS Subscribers.

Thank you.

Listing Incidents Reported to Realcomp Recently (Sorted by Newest to Oldest Reports):

14.  Another listing in Redford was broken into five (5) days ago. The water heater, furnace & AC were stolen. The lockbox was missing, apparently cut off. The homeowner filed a police report.

13.  Our seller had a break in last night (8/16/15) in Redford. This property is one of our listings. They stole appliances and did it very carefully so they knew what they were there for!

12.  An MLS Subscriber reported two incidents where lockboxes were cut off of properties, one in the City of Grosse Pointe and one in Grosse Pointe Woods. A hot water heater was stolen from the property in Grosse Pointe. Both properties were rekeyed after the incidents.

11.  My Southfield listing was broken into. The lockbox was smashed and they kicked in the door. I listed new furnace, water heater, & plumbing. All of it was stolen. I got a call from the city a few days prior to it happening asking for the lockbox code. I didn't give them the code, as I could not verify it was the city. I have heard thieves are looking at listings online and that houses that show “0 days” occupancy, new furnace, etc. are being targeted.

10.  I too had a lockbox cut off and had extensive theft of plumbing, fixtures, carpeting, appliances, etc. This happened recently in Redford.

9.  I had two (2) lockboxes cut off in Hazel Park, it seemed like a scrapper trying to get the water heater and copper out of a completely rehabbed house.

8.  An MLS Subscriber reported that her office has experienced several break-ins with listings in the cities of Taylor, Dearborn Heights, and Detroit. All have occurred with their HUD homes. Locks have been cut, knobs removed completely, doors left open, and in some - squatters had moved in. In others, mechanicals were stolen.

7.  The same thing happened to one of my listings in Garden City. The lockbox was stolen and the key was left in the door. Luckily, the seller/client is a police officer and entered after the listing agent was informed of the incident. Everything in the house was safe and accounted for, but the lockbox has not been recovered.

6.  Another Realcomp Subscriber has reported that his Redford listing had the door handle torn off, along with the lockbox.

5.  Another agent reported that a break-in occurred (over the weekend) on one of her listings in Redford. The home was vacant. The sign was in the lawn and they were three (3) days away from closing. The thieves cut off the lockbox located on the front door. They got away with the stove and dishwasher, but must have been spooked at one point because they had moved the refrigerator to another spot in the kitchen to take out the back door. They had also begun removing the hot water tank, but left it behind. The homeowner filed a report with the Police, who said they are seeing three (3) break-ins a day.

4.  Another Realcomp REALTOR^® reported that her vacant listing in Berkley was burglarized. The thieves cut the lockbox and broke into the house. All the copper pipes were stolen.

3.  One MLS Subscriber experienced the same situation on a listing in Pontiac.

2.  Another MLS Subscriber said the same thing occurred at her Eastpointe listing. The lockbox was missing & the house was broken into. Nothing was stolen, but it was apparent the thieves tried to steal the hot water tank.

1.  An MLS Subscriber has reported an incident to Realcomp of a lockbox being "cut off" of the door of one of her listings located in the City of Redford. This agent immediately advised her client to have the entry door locks changed (which he did) and to report the incident to the local police.