Realtor Safety 911

I had a very high compliment email this evening and I wanted to share it with my readers. At times, you are not aware of who is actually reading your posts and when you find out, sometimes you are very humble. Tonight I got this email from  Robert N. Bass, Esq and he said some very nice things about our site www.realtorsafety911.com. I wanted to say Thank You and to post his comments. If you are ever in need of Robert’s services, or know of anyone who would be, please pass his information along.

Hello, Beth:

I want to compliment you on your Website!  Below is an article I wrote which will be published tomorrow in the weekly newsletter for HomeSmart Real Estate, the largest brokerage in the Southwest, with more than 3,200 agents.  I hope it gets you some traffic!

I have a particular interest in the subject for 2 reasons: I am a broker defense lawyer who has spent the last 25 years defending REALTORS® in E&O claims and license complaints, and as a real estate educator teaching them how to reduce risk.  http://activerain.com/rnbesquire

I have also learned, practiced (and for 20 years taught) martial arts. I began studying karate in 1959 when I was 8 years old- under Grandmaster Robert A. Trias, who actually founded the first martial arts school in the United States, here in Phoenix.  This was long before anybody in the West had even heard of martial arts – I was very lucky! http://www.shuri-ryu.com/trias.htm  I earned money through college and law school by teaching self-defense to women.

I know that what you are doing is largely a labor of love and service to the industry, and I truly admire that!  I wish you all the best and will do all I can to publicize your site!

Cordially,
Robert N. Bass, Esq.
1715 W. Northern Ave.  Ste. 110
Phoenix, AZ  85021
602.274.9452    Fax: 602.274.9326
Robert@BassLawFirm.com

Confidentiality Note: This e-mail, and any attachment to it, is LEGALLY PRIVILEGED, CONFIDENTIAL, PROPRIETARY, OR OTHERWISE PROTECTED BY LAW FROM DISCLOSURE. If you are not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, please immediately return it to the sender and delete it from your system.

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From the Lawyer’s Desk:

REALTOR® SAFETY: Practicing “safe real estate” means more to me than risk reduction and paperwork/disclosure issues.  To me it extends beyond the legal realm and also encompasses being aware of your personal safety.  Nobody likes to think about a situation in which you will need to defend yourself against a potential attack, but with so many foreclosures, abandoned properties and deteriorated neighborhoods out there, safety has to be a top-of-mind concern.  Just as with claims and lawsuits in general, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to personal safety.

I came across a Website that contains a lot of useful information and useful, practical tips involving security and safety awareness, specifically tailored to the work you do as agents.  I found informative videos, articles and even commentary from agents who have been involved in incidents and are happy to share their experience with other Realtors®.

http://realtorsafety911.com

Please spend a few minutes on this site and I hope you will incorporate some of their tips into your daily practice.

Have a great weekend… And Hey - Let’s be careful out there!

Attorney Bob Bass offers his tips and advice on reducing risk and improving your professional service, and is a great source of attorney referrals!  Bob invites your questions and comments at Robert@BassLawFirm.com, or you can call him at 602.274.9452

Courtesy of Florida Realtor Magazine, April 2007 | by Richard Westlund

7 Tips for Staying Safe

• Always keep a mobile phone at your side; program emergency numbers into speed dial.
• Meet all new clients at your office; verify their identity.
• Whenever possible, avoid being at the office alone.
• Take a personal safety course.
• Install deadbolts with full one-inch bolts on all entry doors to your home and the door to your home office.
• Make sure you know your route to and from each property you visit.
• When you’re alone getting into your car, the first thing you should do is lock the door.

This information is from a previous post but the information is so good, I wanted to post it again!

The 10-Second Rule

One of the most common reasons that people find themselves in dangerous situations is that they were not paying attention. Take a few precious seconds during the course of your day to assess your surroundings.

• Take 2 seconds when you arrive at your destination.
  Is there any questionable activity in the area?
  Are you parked in a well-lit, visible location?
  Can you be blocked in the driveway by a prospect’s vehicle?
• Take 2 seconds after you step out of your car.
  Are there suspicious people around?
  Do you know exactly where you’re going?
• Take 2 seconds as you walk towards your destination.
  Are people coming and going or is the area unusually quiet?
  Do you observe any obstacles or hiding places in the parking lot or along the street?
  Is anyone loitering in the area?
• Take 2 seconds at the door.
  Do you have an uneasy feeling as you’re walking in?
  Is someone following you in?
• Take 2 seconds as soon as you enter your destination.
  Does anything seem out of place?
  Is anyone present who shouldn’t be there or who isn’t expected?

Safety in Just 10 Seconds

It takes just 10 seconds to scope out your surroundings and spot and avoid danger. Make this “ten-second scan” a habit in your everyday work as a REALTOR. ^® Then share it with someone else.

I want to say Happy Father’s Day to my own dad. He lives in Indiana and I won’t be able to actually see him and hug him today but I definitely will call and talk with him and let him know how much I love him!

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY DAD!!!

Happy Father’s Day to all fathers out there. I wish you the best day and the most fulfilled day with your kids. Enjoy your dad today and enjoy being a dad today, Its All About You!!!

Always wear visible company identification such as a badge. It is also best to drive a vehicle clearly marked with your company name. These will be invaluable for identification if you need to get assistance.

Fall Backward - Spring Forward!

Spring is right around the corner!!!  Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour tonight before you go to bed!

The 10-Second Rule

One of the most common reasons that people find themselves in dangerous situations is that they were not paying attention. Take a few precious seconds during the course of your day to assess your surroundings.

• Take 2 seconds when you arrive at your destination.
  Is there any questionable activity in the area?
  Are you parked in a well-lit, visible location?
  Can you be blocked in the driveway by a prospect’s vehicle?
• Take 2 seconds after you step out of your car.
  Are there suspicious people around?
  Do you know exactly where you’re going?
• Take 2 seconds as you walk towards your destination.
  Are people coming and going or is the area unusually quiet?
  Do you observe any obstacles or hiding places in the parking lot or along the street?
  Is anyone loitering in the area?
• Take 2 seconds at the door.
  Do you have an uneasy feeling as you’re walking in?
  Is someone following you in?
• Take 2 seconds as soon as you enter your destination.
  Does anything seem out of place?
  Is anyone present who shouldn’t be there or who isn’t expected?

Safety in Just 10 Seconds

It takes just 10 seconds to scope out your surroundings and spot and avoid danger. Make this “ten-second scan” a habit in your everyday work as a REALTOR. ^® Then share it with someone else.