To not understand why someone was taking photos of my house and trying the door handle in broad daylight?

[Alexindisguise]

I don't really think they were trying to break in, as it's a busyish road and it was 4:30pm. But what on earth could they have been doing?

My neighbour spotted a couple hanging round my house yesterday, they were in their 50's, man wearing a hat, woman wearing sunglasses. He took photos of the house, then of her stood in front of it. She then tried the front door.

My neighbour went out and asked what they were doing, they ran up the road and sped off in a car.

Any guesses what they were up to?

It's unsettled me.

A possible rental scam?

man wearing a hat, woman wearing sunglasses

Spies, for sure

Maybe she used to live there as a kid or something?

We’re they sat on a bench across the road reading a newspaper with holes cut out for eyes too?

In all seriousness from them trying the door handle seems like they are really cheeky burglars ?

I think she lived there as a child.
Or its a scam.

At first I would have said perhaps it was their first home or a childhood home or something. But the fact they ran off would make me question that.

Maybe one of them used to live there and want to revisit? Although if thats the case then trying the door is weird. Are you friendly with any of your neighbours? Anyone you can ask to keep an eye out when you're not there?

I've seen similar round where I live. Always puzzled me. We live in a touristy town in Hampshire. The other day a random Chinese guy in a tracksuit was doing similar outside my neighbours house.

My XFIL had form for this sort of stuff. Thought it was funny and asked for photos. On one occasion he stood outside of chocolate box type cottage pretending to put a key in the door whilst we watched/took photo.

Owner opened door . XH and I walked away.

Do you look like a celebrity op??

Burglars can be any age

Burglary can take place at any time of the day or night

Burglary can take place anywhere, busy or quiet, burglars do not care!

Burglary myths debunked

Ha ha yes I thought spies too from the description. My neighbour has lived here 30 years, me over 15 years and she didn't recognise them. Could have lived here before that I guess, but like pp said, why run?

Well they were obviously up to no good otherwise why run away?

Asian tourists perhaps? A bunch of them like taking photos outside interesting houses.

Nope unfortunately I don't look like a celeb and even more unfortunately my house is just not worth taking a photo of.

I think burglars and they took the photos to camouflage the fact that they were checking it out, because these days it's more normal to take photos of something than to stand and stare at it.

I'd keep an eye on the rent section of gumtree and the likes for a couple of weeks in case it's a scam.

I think burglars too I'm afraid and I'd report it to your local police team.

Oh dammit. I will log it just in case. My neighbours are fab, lots are around in the daytime so would keep an eye out.

Hope they don't come back!

You stood there taking photos, MrsPavlichenco?! What did you find amusing about it? Can't believe there's more than one loola who does this

Maybe they used to live there

Absolutely report it. Apparently lots of people don't lock their doors during the day - thieves knock and if no answer, try the door. The homeowner may have popped into the garden/loo/upstairs etc - the thief then opens the door and makes off with car keys/purse/ whatever is near the door.

So I googled 'strangers taking pictures of my house' and a whole heap came up. Yikes.

((((Hugs)))) OP

Probably for a website. There are websites that make me mad. They photos of your house and how much it is worth (real estate type of thing). You do not have privacy these days. But don’t know why they would try to see if the door is lock though. Do you own the house or does it belong to someone else?

Do you have a pretty house? Maybe instagrammers, although 50s is a bit past the usual age range for this