Realtors - Become Proactive In Your Home Security & Personal Safety

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Courtesy of CA Home Security

If you’re a real estate professional, your primary job is meeting with complete strangers – showing homes, holding open houses, and even being out walking to your car late at night…all in the hopes that you secure a new client that you sell a home or property to.  You’re faced with potentially risky situations almost every day.  Because of the very nature of your job…..your safety should be a main priority for you.

There are crazy predators who seek out female realtors – not really caring who you are so long as you are a  female.  Then there are those crazies who seek out realtors who are high visibility agents.  These are the million dollar agents who are on the cover of magazines, on the billboards, in the newspapers – their name is highly recognizable.

These predators see million dollar agents and assume you must be earning that full amount for yourself.  There have been many realtors who have been followed to their homes by such predators and attacked in their own home.  Some agents have been stalked and had their homes burglarized.  Consider your safety and the safety of your home and family Priority Number 1.

First and foremost, be sure you follow all of the Safety Rules for your business:

1. Never have a first meeting with a customer at a property. Always meet customers in the office, where you can introduce them to the broker, manager or other colleagues. If you must, meet them at a public place to introduce yourself and conduct a buyer interview.

2. Leave an itinerary with the office. Let someone know what houses you will be viewing—and be sure the customer knows there is a schedule you’ll be following.

3. Carry a cell phone. Stay in contact with someone while you’re out in the field.

4. Don’t wear flashy jewelry or carry several credit cards. Carry only a small amount of cash or one credit card, and have a key ring with just your car key and lockbox key on it.

5. Use your own car. Be in control of the presentation and be the guide. If a customer wants to drive, have him or her follow you. And don’t park where you can be blocked in.

6. Always enter through the front door. If you have to use a side door, have the customers wait at the front door and let them in that way.

7. Inside the house, stay between the customer and an exit. Don’t ever walk into a room first. It’s safer and a better experience for the customer.

8. Have a secret code. Create a code word or phrase to let your colleagues know that you’re in need of help. Then, if you feel threatened, you could call your office and say, “Could you please call Mr. CODEWORD to cancel my appointment?” This let’s the office know that you need help without giving any indication to the listener.

9. Carry pepper spray if it’s legal in your area. This may be used for defense from animals, snakes or any predators and give you time to get to safety. Read more

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