Realtors - Become Proactive In Your Home Security & Personal Safety
Posted on June 3, 2008
Filed Under Home Security Protection, Personal Safety, Realtor Safety Awareness, Realtor Safety Tips, Security and Safety Tips, Videos
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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.
Protecting Your Home And Office
If you don’t already have a home security system, consider being proactive and installing one before you become a victim of a burglary, home invasion, or a targeted crime. If you have your office at home, you will end up spending more time there than at your main realtor office. Make sure you are safe while at home.
One benefit of a home alarm system is when you leave your home and set your alarm, you always know you’re coming back to a safe home. If you have a burglary or a fire at anytime, there’s someone on the other end 24/7 to get the local authorities immediately to your home. That’s peace of mind!
Let’s take a minute to consider the best type of security protection for your home:
1. Once you’ve installed your security system, be sure to place your warning stickers/decals on your door with glass and all vulnerable windows. Be sure to place a warning security yard sign in the front and back areas of your home.
2. All entry doors should have contact sensors so if the door is opened when the alarm is on – it will set off the loud siren. If the alarm is turned off, it will beep/chime or let you know in a voice that someone has entered.
3. If you have vulnerable windows, by all means consider protecting those windows with contact sensors. You can also protect a full room and more with a motion detector. A consideration not to use motion sensors might be having cats in your home since they could accidentally set off a false alarm.
4. You should have at least one operating panel to arm and disarm the security system at the main entry door everyone uses. You can have additional keypads for convenience and safety. My recommendation would be to install a keypad at the front door and one in the master bedroom. You then have the ability to press the panic button on the keypad if you need the police immediately. Most alarm systems come with a duress panic feature in case you are forced into your home by an intruder. It should be a 4-digit code that is easy (especially under duress) for everyone to remember. Be sure to set that up with your alarm installer. You never know when you may be forced to turn off the alarm under duress and putting in that duress code shuts off the alarm (just like you were told to do) but sends a silent call to your alarm company to send the police immediately!
5. Wireless remote panic buttons are excellent options for personal security. These panic buttons can alert authorities to your home with one press of the button. Plus you can arm and disarm the system. The upgraded panic button will talk to you in a voice when depressed. There are also wireless remote panic buttons that hook to your car keychain.
6. Fire protection is an option you don’t want to forget. Smoke detectors should be placed outside the bedroom hallway and on each level of your home. If you had a fire, you most likely would lose everything. Having a monitored fire system means someone will be notified well in advance to get the fire authorities to your home.
7. Be sure your entire family follows personal security and safety rules for your home. Don’t open the doors if you’re not expecting someone and always ask for identification first (even if you are expecting someone). Keep doors and windows locked when you leave and always turn your alarm system on as you leave - even if you are just running to the store for 30 minutes. It’s a good habit to get into - becomes second nature.
The peace of mind you have with a security system is tremendous. It’s knowing help is on the other end – whether you’re home or away! Having had an ADT system for over 22 years, I would never be without one. The cost is minimal compared to what you would lose if you had a burglary or fire without a security system. Plus it’s hard to put a dollar value on your life or a family member.
Be proactive and consider installing a security system if you don’t already have one.
Remember…Stay Aware…Stay Alert…Stay Alive!
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9 Responses to “Realtors - Become Proactive In Your Home Security & Personal Safety”
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Syndicate
Great advice. It’s very upsetting to me that so many women ignore their instincts and stay in situations where they feel are unsafe or uncomfortable in order to be seen as professional. Home security can do a lot to protect a home and the people who live in it, but listening to one’s intuition is very important.
Thanks for this. A Realtor in my area recently had a very scary experience - she received a call from a woman who wanted to see a property right away. The agent tried to get the person to come into the office but the woman refused. So, the agent thought it was a little fishy so she asked a male agent to go along with her to the appointment. Upon arriving, a car was parked outside of the home and immediately took off when the driver saw the agent pull up. Who knows what could have happened.
Thanks Jessica for stopping by and commenting on my site. Realtors have one of the riskiest jobs. Stay Safe and listen to your gut when things don’t seem quite right.
Stay Safe!!
Cheryl
Really great advice for people who put their safety on the line, but might not realize it.
Thanks Dave. Appreciate the positive comments.
Cheryl
Cheryl,
Great posting! People often take for granted
their personal safety until they are reminded
just how fragile it is. Once broken, it impacts every aspect of personal as well as their business lives. As a 32 year law enforcement veteran, I commend you on your efforts in your delivery of how important personal safety truly is. Keep up the great work!!
Captain Steve
Thanks Steve. I’m sure you see all types of asaults and violent attacks against both women and men. Being aware of your surroundings, having some self-defense awareness skills, and carrying some type of addtional personal protection may ultimately save someone’s life.
Thanks for the comment.
Cheryl
Hi, I was looking around for a while searching for security signs and I happened upon this site and your post regarding s - Become Proactive In Your Home Security & Personal Safety | Self-Defense With An Attitude, I will definitely this to my security signs bookmarks!
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