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Realtor warning: Suspicious woman casing homes during open houses

Hundreds of realtors on the North Shore have received letters warning of a suspicious woman police believe may be casing homes during open houses.

As busy season is picking up for realtors, they're being warned to stay on high alert.

"Forty-five percent of people purchasing a house go to an open house first," said Susan Kline, North Shore Association of Realtors CEO.

Sometimes, realtors believe people have only one intention for being on the property.. and it's not to buy a house.

"There have been instances where realtors have been assaulted, actually lost their life because of showing, so we want to do everything we can to prepare members so they don’t have that situation happen here," said Kline.

Kline sent an email to hundreds of real estate agents out of an abundance of caution, warning them of a suspicious woman who appeared at several open houses along the North Shore this past weekend.

The woman reportedly identified herself using several different names, phone numbers, and email addresses. She is also believed to have combed through homeowners' items.

"Anything you don't want to lose, you need to take it with you and it's not your entire everything your jewelry box your most important possessions," said Henry Pizzo, Lux Realty North Shore President.

Pizzo says there are red flags realtors look for during open houses.

"You can tell when someone is not even asking questions or if they are interested or not or if they're asking leading questions about the home or are they just looking around not at home like they are casing it," he said.

Police aren't releasing the names of the North Shore towns where the suspicious woman attended open houses because they don't want to tip their hand.

As of now, no charges have been filed. Police say it's more of an oddity, but they are investigating. They also say they will keep an extra close eye on open houses this spring.

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