Questionable behavior?
 

Ok, so I'm from the city/suburbs. I'm still adjusting to the country. I know things are done a bit differently out here and wanted some outside opinions on this situation I found myself in today.

We have our farm on contract for deed till June/July. We already have insurance set up on all buildings and the house. Well, it seems the couple we have our contract with also have a policy set up on the house now. An insurance agent came out and gave me his card this morning. And proceeded to take pictures of the house and all buildings.
I wasn't expecting that since we have a policy I don't know why they feel the need to have one as well, but ok. I went inside and text my husband asking if he knew anything about it. Since I wasn't sure if in the contract it stated they too would hold insurance on it. Seems like overkill to me.

Anyway, while the agent is taking pictures a truck comes racing down the driveway. I was puzzled and thought maybe it was my husbands boss giving him a ride over to talk to the insurance guy. So a minute goes by and the back doorbell rings. Dead giveaway it wasn't my husband since he would have just let himself in since the door is unlocked. After kenneling the barking dog I go to the door and was a bit shocked. Inside my breezeway is an older gentleman about to open the door to my garage! He seemed a bit surprised and said hi. Then asked if I knew where such and such a church was located.
I told him no I don't know the area that well. He asked again if I was sure because it should be close by in the area. I again said no. At that point my two kids come running out to greet the stranger and he says hi to them then leaves. And he drives off just as fast as he came flying down. Along with the agent that had just finished taking pictures.

Does this seem odd to anyone else? Or am I being paranoid?

I don't understand why he would come through my screen door and the main door into the breezeway/mudroom. Then instead of coming up to the house door(all the doors have windows) he goes to the one that clearly goes into the garage. You can see our truck parked right on the other side of the door.

It just seems weird to me and left me feeling edgy. But is this just how people in the country are? Is walking into a strangers house normal?

Nope, not normal regardless of your locale.
The question is, did this guy just have a screw loose and always act this way, or was it some kind of emergency for him and he didn't have time to explain his odd behavior?
Either way, the only relevant question now is, does he live around there or just passing thru?:shrug:

I'd call the number on the agent's card and see if he was legit.

I don't think he lives around here. I've never seen his before, but then again I've only met two of my neighbors in the area. But he was asking for the location of a church so if he lived close I'd assume he would know where it was. It was just so weird. And it's Thursday. If it was Wednesday or Sunday I'd truly believe he was looking for a church. He was in a suit and looked well put together.

The insurance agent showing up and taking pictures is typical. In my experience, when you get property insurance, one of the stipulations is that you provide access to your property by the company for "underwriting purposes". I wouldn't worry much about that. And even though you have insurance on the property, I would carry it just as the current owners do until I was no longer the legal owner. Just to cover my butt.

The other dude? I would have greeted him with some lead and steel and yes, I agree his behavior sounds suspect.

By deed do you mean purchase?

If you Don't yet own it, the actual owners would keep Insurance till Deed transfers,In which case I am sure you it would already be in place.
I could see a agent or inspector coming out on a existing policy.
Kind of odd both where there at the same Time, and left together.

Did you contact the other couple? verify the "Agents" story...
Did you look into if a church exists by that name?

If the insurance pans out, get the name and call the agency and verify that it was their man visiting.

If not I would say you have good reason to worry.

I will if it turns out that insurance agent wasn't sent out here. He did know the other owners names so I wouldn't put it past them to do it. And it's not really the agent that upset me as much as the guy just letting himself into my house. It only took me less then 30 seconds to get out to the door and he was already inside. Why ring the bell if you aren't even going to wait?

I am not to worried about the owners having another policy. I would be asking why someone did not let me know about the insurance agent. As for the other guy, I would be a little concerned. Could be nothing, if he had came to the front door. However sounds like somebody who thought no one was home and knew the owners had moved. I would have been asking some questions of my own like who are you and what are you doing at my back door. Definitely ask around if you can about the guy to some of your neighbors.

I will be honest, somebody comes down my road more than once that I do not know and I am finding out who they are and why they are there?

Nope- most country people know better than to just show up at someone's house and not make their presence known. If it weren't for the ringing of your doorbell, I would have been really upset, thinking one might be distacting me whioe the other gains entrance in the rear. But it could be coincidence. But still suspicious. Maybe a driveway gate is in order.
However, I would not have locked up the dog before anwering the door. Have my hand on the collar but I always liked strangers to know my dog was watching too.

I know this is typical for an a durance company. My husband told me when ours was coming out and she did the same exact thing this guy did. It's just the random guy showing up and letting himself in that bothers me. I think it just happened to be at the same time this guy was out.

And sadly I have a very bad selective memory. I forgot the churches name almost as soon as he ask me about it:/

My husband sees the couple that we have our contract with(and yes to purchase) nearly daily at work. So I'm sure he will be asking them about it to confirm.

Yes, that is something I'm kinda regretting. I should have let my dog come with me. And from now on I will. And a gate is something I'm really considering now. I hate people showing up unannounced. I was still in my pjs for crying out loud.

Hmmmmmm.......I dunno.......but it DOES remind me of a joke, lol.




A young minister was asked by a funeral director to hold a graveside service ...
...for a homeless man with no family or friends. The funeral was to be held at a cemetery way back in the country, and this man would be the first to be laid to rest there.

As I was not familiar with the backwoods area, I became lost; and being a typical man did not stop for directions.

I finally arrived an hour late. I saw the backhoe and the crew, that was eating lunch, but the hearse was nowhere in sight. I apologized to the workers for my tardiness, and stepped to the side of the open grave, where

I saw the vault lid already in place. I assured the workers I would not hold them up for long, but this was the proper thing to do. The workers gathered around, still eating their lunch. I poured out my heart and soul. As I preached the workers began to say 'Amen,' 'Praise the Lord,' and 'Glory'! I preached, and I preached, like I'd never preached before from Genesis all the way to Revelations. I closed the lengthy service with a prayer and walked to my car.

As I was opening the door and taking off my coat, I overheard one of the workers saying to another, "I ain't never seen anything like that before, and I've been putting in septic tanks for twenty years."

Haha! I have heard that one recently actually. Very funny!

That well dressed guy was confused and running late. I believe it was just a coincidence that they were both there at the same time.
Yes my dog would have met him first and he wouldn't have even tried to come through the door. After I got there I would have told him to not drive so fast on my property or next time I will just let this dog outside to greet you.

I've lived in the country all my life and there are some people that I really don't care if they walk right in, even if I wasn't at home.

I would not expect someone I didn't know to make any attempt to enter my home or any of my outbuildings without my allowing them in and I would be uncomfortable with it as well, especially with him pushing so hard once you told him you couldn't offer directions.

I'd be calling the owners and asking if their insurance guy was coming out.....and I'd ask that they have him schedule next time.

I'd really be calling that number on the card to see if he was legit. The other guy....I think I'd be glad I was home.

Just a caution on the insurance. We were still working in VA when we bought our current home, so it was rented out till we gave tenants notice and moved down in 2011. Last year we redid all our insurance policies, and when we received our CLUE report (reports losses) we found that the last tenants bought renters insurance and began filing multiple claims for 'lost jewelry'. When we talked to the agent we were told the losses follow the house, not the person filing the claim. We had to have her go to the underwriter several times before they would remove the claims. That dropped our premium considerably.

Don't know if that's a common problem, but we learned a lesson about the impact other people's insurance can have on us.

Get and install game cams now. Make at least one of them visible.

A few months back I was getting the mail and a couple guys stopped to ask me about an obscure civil war encampment. I knew where the area was, asked them where their maps were (they had none and pulled out a phone with a map on it), but noticed that one of them in particular kept eyeing the game camera he had suddenly noticed was aimed right at them. After they left, I went to the area that they were supposedly seeking and there was no sign of them.

I suspect you may have had someone who thought there was easy pickin' and used the "Where's the church?" excuse as a diversion.

Also - get on the Walmart site and order a "Mighty Mule" vehicle alarm for the head of your drive. FWIW, you can extend the range of it by adding a metal reflector to the side of the transmitter that is away from your house.

Sadly there are thieves in the country, just like the city. Seems worse than ever around here, since the meth problem. The insurance guy sounds legit...The other guy?

No, country folk don't walk in unanounced.

A good dog is a great idea, as are the game cams. And depending on your natural disposition, a 20-gauge pump or a .22 rifle is not a bad thing to prop above the door.

I don't really understand why you have not or will not call them??

Sinse I'm totaly confused. Are You sure the two guys were together? Call the guy on the card and ask.
No, it's not "normal/ok" for someone to just walk in your house.
................................for someone to walk/hunt/drive on your land.
................................for someone to bulldoze your trees on your fenceline.
................................tear your fence down and remove it.
................................remove survey markers.
................................go in your garage/barn and "borrow" something.
......................................

I'd say someone is being nosy. If you just moved in from out of town, some folks need to find out who the new people are.

I had something like that happen to me.
When we bought our house, we worked all the time. Never talked to the neighbor's, most were at work when we were home.
My wife's car registration was never changed from her parents address. (different last name, and different town than my truck registration)

Well a month or so after we moved in, Someone knocked on the door. They were asking my wife if our basement was finished, and if the home was now a duplex.
We had a life long town resident across the road from us, that was also a local cop. I bet he ran our plate #'s, and they didn't come back with the same last names.

Keep your guard up for awhile anyway. Some people just have to find out who the "new people" are.

Thank you for the referral! I hadn't thought about something like that. Cheaper and more helpful then a gate. Although at some point I still think I want a gate. Not sure how long our driveway is. More then 400ft I'd imagine, but that's ok. Halfway up would work too.

I have now. The insurance guy was legit. I just have no clue who the other guy was.

Sorry if it was confusing. I don't think they were together. It's just the insurance guy showing up was the beginning of my story. I really didn't have any concern about him at all. Just trying to tell the whole story how it happened. But most everyone took it as I was worried about the agent showing up too. I was just caught off guard.

The guy letting himself in was my concern. I was so shocked I didn't ask him any questions about why he'd do such a thing. And a big part of me was just hoping he'd leave right away.

I could see that if we were really new to the area. But come June we'll have been here a year. And if he was a neighbor I'd imagine he would have introduced himself. Not ask where a local church is. If he lived here he would know.

I defiantly have my guard up now.

In my home, Mr. lethimself in , would be in the Obituarys. That is what you need to think about, because for your safteys sake, your thinking needs to change. I am not being mean or whatever, but someday you might need to protect yourself AND family from someone that seem innocent. Have you ever heard people say-he seemed so normal-right after he became a mass murder?
Please change your thinking, you cannot change others. I want you to be safe and alive.

I agree. I do need to stop being so trusting. Honestly I don't know why I am. It's not how I was raised.

Example: My dad made my mom talk to people through our bathroom window. She wasn't allowed to open the door for anyone we didn't know. And the bathroom window was right next to the door.
Anyway, one day a sales man shows up. He made fun of my mom for not opening the door. Called her names, bad mouthed my dads "rules", and cussed at her. Got in his truck and sped off. A littler while later my mom saw his picture in the paper for murdering a local woman[emoji15]

I think maybe I felt a little too secure with so many close neighbors in the city. One across the street was the neighborhood watch dog. Lol. If something happened he knew about it. I haven't really felt alone out here till today. This has really been a wake up call. Next time might not be so lucky. I appreciate all the advise from everyone.

I only read through half of the responses. I too hate being popped in on. I ALWAYS keep my doors locked. I also keep a loaded gun handy just in case. My dogs are loose. Even if it's someone I know, if I don't feel like answering the door I don't!!! I would NEVER pop in anyone and I think it is very rude of people to do it to me. I am very busy with our homestead and I don't have time for untimely visits! My advice, keep your doors locked and a watchful eye.

u just can't be too careful.always take the dog with u.while checking sap buckets today 2 strangers pulled in my north driveway (right past the posted signs) sank their pkup in the mud.proceded to ask for a tow from my plow truk_(no).I volunteered to call the sheriff and a tow truk!no thanks-they pushed it out-that was fun to watch...their reason for stopping? selling meat out of a freezer in the bk of truk.....nope.

Bigjon-

I'm in Central NY and I just had a couple guys pull into my driveway selling meat a few days ago. Wonder if it's the same crew. (Honda Ridgeline?). I gave him a firm "no thanks" and he was off in a huff. It was a bit odd I didn't see him pull into any of the neighbors' driveways.

Some years ago a cute friendly girl showed up at my door selling magazine subscriptions. Part of a "mag crew" that I learned a few days later murdered their boss and dumped his body in a quarry.

There are a lot of shady operators out there.

The guy "looking for the church"? Really weird. All of these guys have some odd story.

I like the idea of the driveway alarm. A simple thing like that will spook 90% of the odd misfits snooping around.

Keeping a loaded gun by the door, as someone else recommended? With small children? I hope you have more sense than that. Same for the other poster who said he would have shot the guy dead. Please disregard such really bad advice.

David

I also am completely unembarrassed about taking a long, studying look at anyone who is the least bit out of place, as well as jotting down their plate number in an obvious way.

David

db4570, nope 2 wheel drive white Silverado.

Questionable behavior?
 

Yes I think the driveway alarm and some game cameras might go a long way to deter no gooders.

And there is no way I'd keep a gun out anywhere my kids could see or find it. Nor would I just shoot someone for coming over unannounced. I don't need extra trouble in my life[emoji6]

For now maybe my baby monitor camera could be of use. I haven't thought about that since I haven't used it in a few years. An obvious camera setup behind my locked door should be at least somewhat of a deterrent right? And give me a look at who is at my back door before going to answer it. Hmmm... Now to go find it.

@bigjon Yikes. I hope they didn't dig your drive up too bad. It's sad. People that live out in the country in my experience are so nice, helpful, and kind. But the loonies that venture out here are just nuts! And yep. The dog will be coming with from now on.

Hi. I've just briefly scanned through all of your replies and didn't read them thoroughly so somebody might have already mentioned this.

Did you actually call the people you're leasing from to make sure they sent the agent?

The reason I'm asking is there are what are often referred to as "Irish gypsies" who pull off a scheme in numerous ways and they have been preying on rural people lately. Sometimes they're pretending to sell those expensive vacuum cleaners, sometimes other stuff. They will often pretend that they're working for a legitimate company and even have business cards with the company's actual # on it to throw you off.

One will distract the homeowner with some scheme that takes a lot of time. Demonstrating the use of the vacuum, etc. Taking "insurance pictures" would fit the bill. While the one is doing the distracting, the other is casing your place. Sometimes they'll take small things during the casing, other times they don't take anything but they come back later to steal whatever they saw that was valuable.

ETA I know you said they knew the name of the other couple - they could have got that from the phone book or a platte map or somewhere.

I see you got the insurance thing figured out.

I was a little confused as to who owned the place.

You cannot insure something you dont own. So if you are living there as renters or prospective buyers then you must have "renters" insurance on the contents and liability.

The owners still have to maintain homeowners insurance. Insurance companies have the right to inspect the property at any time, however rarely do so without a call.

I spent a lifetime paying farm visits to farmers as part of my job. Most alway go to the side or back door. No one ever uses the front door. Sometimes there is no door bell and I will open a screen door so I can knock on the inner, main door. Beyond that he went too far.

Gene

We are not renting. We have a contract for deed just till July when we buy out the contract. So it is ours and we have regular farm insurance on all buildings. It is in our contract that we keep insurance on everything.
It turns out the couple didn't send him out. He came out because they have insurance through that company and they were scouting their properties they have placed insurance on to get them better deals. That would be why he had this address and their names.
And he was perfectly polite ringing the back bell and waiting for me to answer.

The other guy is the one who rang and walked in. And I completely understand coming to the next inside door if no one answered after a few minutes. Since you can't hear if the bell went off from out there. But he just walked in and went to open my garage door that was completely dark inside other then a little light coming in the window. It's not like a light was on and he might have thought someone was in there. I'm pretty convinced he was snooping. Not sure why. And very bold with someone outside already. I'm just taking this as a learning experience. I did a lot of things wrong and now next time I can handle a similar situation better.

And I've looked around. There are no churches in my area. Unless you go to town or the next one over. There aren't any out in the middle of all the surrounding farms.

The owner should have called you to inform you that an insurance agent was coming out. I would call the owner and tell them about both men, to see if they can offer insight.it could be that the older guy knows people who previously lived there, and didn't know they had moved.

maybe he was trying to get to a funeral