Dear Monty: We went to look at a home that was for sale by the owner. When we arrived, the owner greeted us at the door and asked to see my driver’s license. I was surprised, but I complied. My wife and I are wondering if this practice is something new. We saw a home earlier with an agent, and a driver’s license did not come up. We bought the house. Why would a seller ask to see our driver’s license when the real estate agent did not?
Monty’s Answer: In many areas of the United States, the real estate industry requires a driver’s license before a home showing. The practice began years ago in the real estate agent community primarily due to agents being robbed, assaulted and in several cases, murdered. Criminals committed these crimes in vacant, isolated homes, putting the real estate industry on high alert. The sector developed several safeguards to protect agents from harm, and the driver’s license requirement is one such protection….