By James Koh FOX 5 San Diego Staff

10:54 a.m. PDT, April 20, 2011

SAN DIEGO --  Local real estate agents and brokers say they are finding more squatters living in foreclosed homes, and the encounters sometimes turn violent.

Several local brokers contacted by Fox 5 News recounted personal stories of being attacked by squatters while inspecting supposedly empty properties.

"I was checking one of my vacant properties, and I was on the phone with police because there were signs of someone living there," said Patrick Hale a broker with SD Homes. "A guy jumped out and told me to get off the phone, and before he even tried to grab the phone, he punched me."

Another broker, Kyle Whissel, said a property he just sold on the 3000 block of Polk Avenue in the Normal Heights neighborhood of San Diego has been broken into at least four times. In one instance, Whissel saw evidence that there was possibly a squatter on the property. He called police, who then walked through the small home and declared it empty.

"So we walk into the house, open the door to the water heater closet, and sure enough there's a guy sitting there," Whissel said. "Luckily he wasn't aggressive but it's just a matter of time before I get into a physical altercation."

Now when Whissel checks on the condition of one the foreclosed properties he is trying to sell, he always goes with at least one other person, and both come armed with mace.

"The first time we walk into a house, the scariest part for us is always the closet," Whissel said. "You never have any idea of what might be in there."

When squatters break into a vacant home several times, Whissel says he has been forced to take extreme measures. Rather than boarding up windows, he will bolt metal plates over the openings from the inside. He will replace the front door with a much heavier metal door and security bolt.

"The bank decided they wanted to use this security system, which basically secures the property like a bank vault," Whissel said. "Since it's been on the property, it's been safe and we feel a lot more comfortable coming out here."

In houses that don't have armored security, Whissel tries to fool would-be squatters with radios and lights he sets to timers.

"It just gives the house the appearance of being occupied," he said. "If people know a home is vacant they are much more likely to break into it."

Despite the dangers, both Whissel and Hale say they are doing what they have to for their work.

"It's a risk we have to be willing to take if we want to get the business," Whissel said. "People think realtors drive around in fancy cars and go out and play golf. It's just not the case and sometimes it's dangerous."

Sign up for FOX5 Breaking News alerts