Realtor Personal Security & Safety Awareness
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Courtesy of Fox6.com
There are many professions that are considered “risky” professions, but none (other than our great soldiers) are as risky as the real estate profession. There are sales professions that I would also consider risky – such as in-home sales – but the Real Estate Profession over the last 20 years has been marked with sexual assaults, brutal physical attacks, and murders. Enough so that the National Association of Realtors (NAR) has placed Realtor Safety among its’ top priorities.
Let’s consider the Real Estate Profession:
• The Real Estate Profession is made up of more than 60+% women who for the most part are trusting individuals.
• Real estate professionals are independent business agents and tend to work and meet clients alone. Many agents occasionally go into an office but primarily work from home. They come and go without others always knowing their whereabouts.
• Real Estate agents advertise in many venues – billboards, magazines, newspapers, flyers, and corner benches – and usually have their picture and phone numbers out there for everyone to see and know how to contact them.
• Many real estate agents still use “old” glamour shot photos dating back 5-10 years or more on their business cards and advertising material. Back then these photos were more on the glamorous/sexy side and are probably not the best photos to use today. Displaying a professional business photo is the type of photo to use – indicating a more professional image.
• Many realtors are very busy and have become complacent about their personal security and safety. Sometimes without giving a second thought they quickly accept an invitation to meet a prospective client without following the proper safety precautions and guidelines.
• With the real estate market so volitale – agents are taking prospects who are looking to buy a home without doing the proper background check. Follow the prescribed real estate safety guidelines before meeting with new clients. Criminals can be very savvy. They may consider this criminal activity “their” business and think that real estate agents are an easy target. While the real estate professional is trusting and thinks the prospect is a potential buyer, he on the other hand may be contemplating his next criminal move. Read more
Self-Defense and Safety Scenarios For Realtors
Safety Scenarios For Realtors - What Would You Do?
Courtesy of www.aaronline.com/forrealtors/safety/scenarios.aspx
The following scenarios are typical REALTOR® situations. Think about what would be your normal response, what possible dangers are indicated, and what you could do better to lessen the risks. Find the answers suggested by NAR at the end.
Scenario #1: Open House
You are hosting an open house by yourself on a winter day. As the sun is setting and you are locking up, a nicely dressed man pulls into the drive and quickly hops out of his car. He apologizes for coming so late and says that he is very glad to have arrived before you left. He begs you to let him see the property as he has wanted to buy this style of home in this neighborhood for some time now. You had very few prospects visit the open house, so you would hate to miss this opportunity. What do you do? Read more
Realtor Personal Safety Awareness Program
The following video gives excellent safety tips for realtors. Many of the safety tips will seem pretty obvious. But we all can become a little complacent - especially with our home and personal security. Just when we let our guard down the unexpected happens. That’s why it is a good idea to review personal safety habits that should be a part of our life… and could help save our life in dangerous situations.
On Wednesday my business associate from ADT Security and I will be giving a Realtor Personal & Home Security Safety Awareness Program to one of the largest Century 21 offices in Northern Indiana. Our program provides targeted personal safety and home security strategies that each agent can use on a daily basis. We believe that personal security starts in the home. Therefore, your home must be a safe haven whether you or family members are home or away.
Experts agree that the single most important step towards ensuring an individual’s total personal security is to make the decision to refuse to be a victim. That means you must have an overall personal safety plan or strategy in place before you need it and be able to aggressively defend yourself if attacked.
Our goal is to provide a program of personal safety and security, self-awareness, and empowerment that will enable real estate agents to protect themselves and not become a victim of an attack by a perpetrator, an unruly prospect, or customer.
We all need to make personal safety and security a proactive habit 24/7. We can then ensure we’re one step ahead of a predator who preys on defenseless women.
Remember, Stay Aware…Stay Alert…Stay Alive!
Self-Defense For Realtors-Stay Ahead Of The Predators/Perpetrators
Unfortunately, there are a few sick people out there looking for an easy victim. What industry makes their job easy? The real estate industry for one. For the most part, real estate professionals are independent agents –predominantly women - who work alone and will jump at the opportunity to get a new prospect – especially in these crazy times.
Don’t let the lure of a new prospect or sale make you forget the safety knowledge that you already know. There were many times when I was an independent security consultant that I would get a call on short notice to meet a stranger (prospect) at a new home construction site or at the person’s home to give a security review. Mind you – I met with many single men over the past 20 years and for the most part never felt a concern for my own safety. However, when I did get that little tug in my stomach that this did not feel right – I listened and either did not go on the appointment or took someone with me. Be sure to follow your gut feelings or your inner instincts. They are usually right! Read more
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