Realtors-How Prepared Are You For The Unexpected Predator Visiting Your Open House?
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
She looks so happy go-lucky without a care in the world! What do you think she would do if confronted by a prospect who turns out to be a violent perpetrator??
When you schedule an Open House with your clients, do you give much thought to your personal safety? When your new construction builder asks you to work an Open House in an isolated subdivision or development, do you give much thought to what you would do if confronted or attacked by a perpetrator or predator that unexpectedly shows up at your Open House?
Many realtors work Open Houses by themselves. However, with crime on the rise against realtors – especially women - the trend may be moving towards working as teams or at least having someone else with you (a spouse or a friend) during your time at the Open House.
If you are like a lot of realtors who have had no issues or confrontations with potential perpetrators, personal safety may not be high on your priority list. If you live in a city with a very low crime rate, the tendency may be to shrug off the thought of being attacked thinking “it won’t happen to me”. This type of thinking may cause you to let your guard down leaving you vulnerable and at risk to being attacked because you didn’t recognize potential danger signs.
Whether meeting clients in their home to take a listing, showing homes to new prospects, or holding Open Houses – what can you do to stay safe on the job and make yourself less of a target to the criminal predator?
First you must be Prepared and have a Personal Safety Plan of Action! Be prepared - both mentally and physically - for the unexpected situation (and hope it will never happen). But if it does, you are now prepared and have developed a safety plan of action to know exactly what you will do if put in a dangerous, confrontational situation.
Read the 7-Point Personal Safety Plan of Action.
Remember, Stay Aware…Stay Alert…Stay Alive!
Realtor 7-Point Personal Safety Plan Of Action
The following Realtor 7-Point Personal Safety Plan of Action will help you be responsible for your own safety and survival. Become mentally and physically prepared to protect and defend yourself should you ever be put in a situation where your life is in danger. Due to the risky nature of the Real Estate profession, your personal safety should be high on the priority list.
7-Point Safety Plan of Action
1. Take a good quality self-defense class in your community. Check with the local police department to see if they offer the RAD Self-Defense Program. This is an excellent training program. Once you’ve completed the training, you can go back and attend as many classes as you want for free. Taking a self-defense class can give you a tremendous sense of empowerment and self-confidence. Knowing you have the fundamental skills and techniques that can help you protect and defend yourself is definately empowering. This is also a great opportunity to become physically fit. Read more
Realtors - Become Proactive In Your Home Security & Personal Safety
x
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
-
Women Internet Marketing
-
Feedburner
-
Fav This Blog
-
Syndicate
