Woman claims Realtor used home as an office during escrow

A Laguna Beach homeowner reported to police that she believed her Realtor was squatting in her vacant home while the sale of her home closed.

The woman reported on Sept. 25 that she and the Realtor who had helped her sell her Loretta Street home had a “falling out” during escrow, according to Laguna Beach Police Lt. Jason Kravetz.

She could not fire the real estate agent because she was contractually obligated to continue with the sale, Kravetz said.

The woman reported that documents that required her approval had forged signatures on them. After noticing this, she went to her home to retrieve a key from the lockbox, Kravetz said. It was when she arrived that she noticed that cable and gas were set up for the home, indicating someone was staying there.

She reported that she saw her Realtor’s desk and chairs inside her home, indicating he may have been using her home as an office.

Detectives are investigating, Kravetz said. Charges have not been filed.

Escrow was due to close Saturday.

— Joanna Clay

Twitter: @joannaclay