An annual prank could cost homeowners and Realtors not only the cost of missing yard signs, but loss of prospective buyers.

    Randy Spencer, a Realtor and associate broker with Gate City Real Estate in Pocatello, said to his knowledge, up to 15 yard signs from 10-15 area Realtors have disappeared from the front yards of homes across the Pocatello area.

    “It seems that the prank normally occurs this time of year,” he said, adding that all signs point to adolescent antics. “Some group of high school students think it is smart to steal signs. They either get destroyed, thrown away or end up on property that is not for sale.

    Unfortunately, many of the signs are never recovered and that is a major expense for Realtors.”

    The “escapade” tends to die down after high school graduations, but is not funny to homeowners who contract with Realtors to attract the right buyer. Spencer said the metal yard signs that adorn front yards sometimes have features sheet boxes — that are often destroyed when handled improperly. Some reflective signs that catch the casting of headlights at night are a greater investment. Many metal signs are placed in yards and some are hinged to wooden poles in the ground. Past signs that have been recovered have been scratched, bent or completely destroyed. Each sign costs between $50-$100 to have made.

    “Were we try to have a positive impact on the community to help people relocate,” he said. “It turns out to be a (great) time and a critical time when families are hoping to market and sell their homes.”

    The Pocatello Police Department had at least one completed theft report from the past few weeks on-file, which reported two to three yard signs stolen. PPD Community Service Specialist Dianne Brush said this type of prank occurs about the same time every year, but is more common in larger cities.

    “If people have property in front of their house that isn’t secured there is always a problem,” Brush said, adding that gnomes and other lawn ornaments are often high jacked if not secured. She suggests, “Leave a light on the property. Thieves are less likely to steal something if they think someone is going to see them.”

    She said if a home in unoccupied, homeowners could ask neighbors to look out for the signs and if one goes missing to notify the Realtor as soon as possible.

    Spencer said this year’s theft seems to be worse than in years past, and individual Realtors lose time and money replacing signs, not to mention potentially loss of home sales. For Realtors who may depend upon prospective buyers driving through neighborhoods, a missing sign could be a missed opportunity to notify passersby of available property, Spencer said.

    “We don’t like to see this kind of hiccup that could be detracting from what is happening,” he said adding that “good things” are happening in the local real estate market.

    Often times signs are thrown in the back of trucks, in car trunks or tucked away in garages. Anyone who sees a theft in progress is encouraged to call the Pocatello Police at 234-6100. If someone sees a suspicious gathering of yard signs or who may have information is encouraged to call the Realtor or real estate agencies displayed on the signs or the Pocatello Police.

    Spencer said the hope is that the signs would be returned unharmed, even scratched signs are typically retired, since they do not best reflect the industry.

    The time of graduation may be an exciting time for high school graduates, but Spencer believes their energy might be better spent doing a good deed rather than doing a great disservice to the local housing market opportunities for sellers and buyers.

    “I recommend some seniors who want to have some fun, have them do a good turn for their neighbor and have a their excess energy to put a smile on people’s face rather than a frown,” he said. “There is plenty of need for our community to have good turns.”