Crime Prevention Tip

Realtor Safety

REALTOR SAFETY DOs and DON'Ts:

DO take the safest and best-lighted route -- day or night -- while driving to appointments, keeping the car windows up and doors locked. Never pick up hitchhikers, male or female.

DO always inform your office of where you will be, who you will be with and when you will next be in touch. Make sure the person you are meeting knows that you've given your office this information.

DO be aware of the neighborhood in which you are showing a listing. If the neighborhood poses any possible threat to your personal safety, take another person with you.

DO allow the client to proceed ahead of you while showing the property. Make sure you have previewed the property and know all of the accessible exits. Leave the doors unlocked for easy exit. Carry your cellular telephone with you at all times.

DO establish a method of being able to relate an emergency situation to the office or a contact person. Establishing a "distress" code word or having a "panic button" in your possession to use, if needed, will give you alternate ways of alerting the office of your situation.

DON'T hold an open house alone, if at all possible. Working with a partner allows you the luxury of having someone available to call or go to for assistance, if needed, and someone to help monitor how many people are in the house. If you must do an open house alone, stay near the door and let the prospect look through the house alone. Keep all valuables in the home -- jewelry, money, guns, etc. - locked away.

DON'T host an open house at a property you have not already previewed. Know the location of all of the exits and how to contact the closest neighbors. Make sure that if you use the backyard as an escape route that there is an exit out of it. make sure all of the exit doors are unlocked during the open house.

DON'T wear expensive jewelry and, if at all possible, keep your handbag locked in the trunk of your vehicle while you are hosting an open house. Have your car keys readily available by keeping them either in a pocket or clipped to a belt.

DON'T assume everyone has left the premises at the end of an open house. Check all of the rooms and the backyard prior to locking all of the doors. Be prepared to defend yourself, if necessary.

DON'T show a property alone at night, especially if it is vacant.

Additional Safety Tips

• Each office should keep a file on each agent's vehicle -- make, year, model, color and license plate number.

• Each agent should leave a daily schedule of outside appointments with their office showing client names and times.

• Always meet your client, prospect or buyer at your office and have them complete an information form, taking a photo of their driver's license. The information form should contain vehicle information also.

• Have each agent carry a log to write down prospective client's name, driver's license and vehicle information.

• At open houses, a guest registry should be kept for all persons viewing the house. This registry should include vehicle information.

• Never show a property as a result of only a telephone call. Always meet them in the office and have them complete an information form.

• Do not list your home address or telephone number on business cards.

• All agents in your office should use only their first initial and last name on their "For Sale" signs to conceal gender and prevent anyone other than a personal acquaintance asking for you by name.

• Any behavior that makes you feel uncomfortable should not be ignored. Your safety, or even your life, may depend on you listening to your instincts!

Danger Signals

New client refuses to meet at the office first.  Always meet a new client at your office, never at a property. Make a copy of their driver's license and have them fill out an information form.

Suspicious Behavior. If you have any suspicions or uneasiness about a client, DO NOT got to the showing alone, no matter what time of day. Ask another person to accompany you. If you are at an open house and you feel that you are in danger, leave the home and seek assistance.

Client wants you to ride with him/her to property. Always drive your own vehicle to the property. Keep your car locked while driving to the property and after you park it. If your client will not ride with you, make sure that the completed information form contains the client's vehicle information. Once at the property DO NOT park your vehicle where it can be blocked.

The buyer wants you to lead the way through the home. Always follow the prospect through the home and never let them get behind you. Your attention should be focused on the client, not on the house.

Are You a Realtor at a Model Home?

Here are a few tips that might help keep you safe:

• When a person comes through the office to view your model homes have them complete a guest register that includes making a copy of their driver's license. FAX the information back to the main office.

• Keep the keys to your vehicle and your cell phone with you at all times. Keep your handbag locked in the trunk of your vehicle rather than in your desk.

• When closing the model homes for the night, never assume that the home is vacant. Be familiar enough with each home to know the exits. Check the interior of the house prior to locking the doors, working from the top floor to the bottom, back of the house to the front, locking the doors behind you. Be aware of your surroundings. Be prepared to protect yourself.

• Enroll in a self defense education course to assist you in protecting yourself until someone can respond to your call for help. Never assume that you can talk your way out of a situation. Look for, and take, the first opportunity to escape.