Agent murdered after online house sale goes wrong in US

Media reports from the US state of Virginia say an 84-year-old man killed his estate agent after buying a property ‘sight unseen’ from an online listing.

Albert Baglione bought the bungalow from realtor Søren Arn-Oelschlegel last month for $160,000 without viewing the property in person.

Arn-Oelschlegel, who worked for the Long & Foster agency, had never met Baglione before visiting the property when the new owner complained he was unhappy with the purchase.

A police statement says: “Mr Baglione told police that he had killed his realtor. At the time of the encounter, Mr. Baglione had a weapon in his hand. 

“After his statement, he closed his door and police heard a gunshot. Police established a secure perimeter around the residence. 

"SWAT then entered the building to find that he had taken his own life. Police located 41-year-old Soren Arn-Oelschlegel inside the residence with a fatal gunshot wound.”

The agency has issued a statement saying: “Our Long & Foster family is devastated by the tragic loss of our beloved colleague and friend, Soren Arn-Oelschlegel. Soren exemplified our values of trust, family and excellence in all aspects of his life, and his loss will be felt across our industry and community.”

According to a survey published last year by the National Association of Realtors - the US equivalent of NAEA Propertymark - some 23 per cent of members reported working in fear.

The NAR reported that in just one year, 60,000 members were reported to be victims of violent crimes including assault, rape or murder.