Realtor Safety 911

Your Personal Safety Is Up To YOU!

There is a price reduction on a Sprint phone which has been certified as compatible with the real-time tracking & emergency distress technology. The phone is the i670 by Motorola, which normally retails for $179.99, is now on sale for $29.99 with a 2 year contract. The price breakdown is $1.25 a month. This device can bring you TrekServ tracking and emergency distress for $16.25 a month, not including your communication package.

The phone has the following features:

• Nextel Direct Connect
• Group Connect
• GPS enabled
• Web, email capable
• Speakerphone
• Voice Activated Dialing

Here is a previous entry from RealtorSafety911.com - Read the rest of this entry »

Even though this article was posted in 2003, you can still see how the same things are so important, day in and day out today. Don’t take your safety for granted. Even though you can say, ‘hey, that has never happened to me”. Count your lucky stars that it hasn’t, but don’t take it for granted”!

This article was published on: 09/01/2003

POINT OF VIEW: Whatley Report

Put your safety first

We don’t ever think it can happen to us. We feel terrible when we read news stories about innocent victims of a crime or see people on TV grieving for lost loved ones. We think we’re immune from such misfortune. Unfortunately, we’re not. Every year, men and women in our profession are robbed, raped, or murdered on the job. Read the rest of this entry »

Realtors are in one of the most dangerous high-risk professions and every day they meet with strangers, taking them out in their cars and driving them all over town showing properties. But what happens when something goes wrong? How can you protect yourself? What if you cannot protect yourself, how would anyone know where you are?

There is a new technology that has just been introduced that solves that problem. This new technology tracks the realtor at all times using their cell phone. A small application is installed on the realtor’s cell phone and one button can be designated as the one that activates an emergency beacon. Help can be easily and quickly summoned to an exact location. Read the rest of this entry »

To all my Realtor Friends, I got this email today from Cheryl Watterson - Self Defense with an Attitude and she has some very good safety information that we all need to check out on carjacking. As we go out into our daily real estate business, we must stay very aware of what is going on and aware of our surroundings. One of the things I started doing, when I go out to make marketing calls, is to lock the car door immediately once I got into my car and never, ever just sit there making notes or whatever. I start driving right away. You never know if someone will come up and tap on your window and then things could go wrong, right in the Kroger parking lot. Read on and please, share with me and Cheryl, your thoughts on this article, I think it is fabulous and I definitely will take heed of all the information she has presented to us.

From: cwatterso@comcast.net [mailto:cwatterso@comcast.net]
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 6:59 PM
To: beth@realtorsafety911.com
Subject: Carjacking Safety Tips-Self-Defense with an Attitude

Beth, you will be getting this email but I wanted to send it to let you know this is an important criminal problem in a lot of areas.  With our changing economy, more and more people are going to be out of work and some may be desperate enough to rob or carjack individuals.  Both men and women need to be aware and alert 24/7 when they are on the road and follow the carjacking tips. Read the rest of this entry »

Courtesy of  Cheryl Watterson with Self Defense with an Attitude

Realtors-How Prepared Are You For The Unexpected Predator Visiting Your Open House?

   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??     

Read the rest of this entry »

Below are some safety tips from some of my Realtor friends. I hope that you can get a little bit of information and use it in your own business.

Hi Beth, one thing I almost always do is take my wallet out of my purse and leave it in my locked car when I’m doing an open house. I also check out prospective clients by doing an internet search on their name, just in case there’s something I need to know about them. Usually, when I enter a house to preview it, I lock the front door behind me so that no one can follow me in. I don’t worry about safety too much, but I just try to be aware of my surroundings. Julia

Hi, I just found your blog and I think it is great what you are doing. I am always giving my friends little lectures on safety and have gotten in some bad situations myself. I actually use a mobile blog and send photos and messages to it so that people know where I am because I work alone and forget to tell anyone where I am. Our jobs are dangerous and we do some stupid things. I am going to put your blog on a couple of my bog roles and like I said I am happy you are doing it.

Hi Beth - You know what I do? Sadly it’s not very good but I really go with my gut. 24 years and that is what I rely on.
That said I always make sure my back is to the door and that I am not boxed in. The customers go in 1st, they go down the stairs 1st and my back is always to the door…so that I can escape.
I also always make sure my car is not blocked and that I have my keys in my hand and not in my purse. I also always close all my windows and sunroof when parked at a showing that way if I need to make a run for it I won’t have to struggle to lock the door and close the windows at the same time.
If meeting someone for the 1st time at a property I tell them that another showing has been scheduled and that I just noticed the other brokers car driving by but that they probably won’t come till we leave but just in case they pull up not to be alarmed.
Beth, my gut is what I depend on…if it does not feel right I am not going to do it. The money is simply not worth it to me.

Hope this helps.

Moni

Hi Beth: I sold real estate for 7 years and right when I got my license, there was an agent who was kidnapped and killed. I almost did not continue with my real estate career, I was pretty scared. Back in 1995, my office did not provide much training or information on safety for us. I got a stun gun (which I never had to use, thank you Lord), and kept it in the side pocket of the door of my car. There is a time when I had a listing presentation on a piece of property way out in the country. I took my 7 year old son. When we got there to meet the seller at his 2nd home, 2 guys came out of the house to meet us. I got that ‘gut’ feeling andshould have left but you know what I did? Nothing. Again, thank God nothing happened, but it could have. We have got to listen to our ‘gut’ feelings. Its better to feel silly later on and reschedule the listing or heaven forbid, lose the listing altogether, but what if something bad had happened? My son would have been involved in it too. All I can say is, follow your company procedures and if you get that ‘gut’ feeling, get out of the situation. Thanks for allowing me to give my 2 cents worth. Julie

Do you have some good safety tips or information to share that you use in your day to day real estate business? If so, leave a comment. So many others would love to know what they can do that will help keep them safe while conducting their real estate business.

Remember, Your Personal Safety Is Up To YOU!

Courtesy of www.realtor.org
About REALTOR® Safety Week

The safety of our more than 1.2 million members is always a top priority for NAR. We are committed to helping our members stay safe while on the job, at home, and on the road. To raise awareness about this important issue, September 14–20, 2008 has been officially designated as the fifth annual REALTOR® Safety Week.

Find a wide variety of safety tips, resources, and products from NAR specifically for association executives, brokers, and REALTORS®. Visit REALTOR® Magazine Online for a collection of safety features, an interactive safety quiz, and other information.

New for 2008
View the NAR safety video, “Safety Strategies For You and Your Clients,” to see these safety tips in action.

Learn about the online Safety Course from REALTOR® University.

Materials for your safety campaign or training include training instructions and talking points, handouts, graphics, customizable articles, and valuable tips to help members stay safe on the job, on the road, and at home.

Real Estate Agent’s Guide to Choosing and Using Your Safety Tools Properly

Courtesy of Tracey Hawkins of www.safetyandsecuritysource.com

As a former agent and currently a safety trainer specializing in agents, I always include education on “safety tools.”

I teach realtors how to be aware, how to screen clients, creating a safety plan, how to host a safe open house, safe showing techniques, etc., but my inclusion of safety tool training is just as important.

Many agents choose to carry a defense spray. This is the most popular choice. Know that all sprays are not created equally. Know what you are carrying. Know the difference between pepper spray, mace and tear gas. Know what they will and won’t do.

For Example - Read the rest of this entry »

Realtors, 8 Safety Tips to Protect Yourself

December 18, 2007 · Courtesy of MarkLomas.com 

 It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.  Here are 8 tips for Realtors to consider so they can protect themselves. We work in a very unusual work environment, where occassionally we are meeting strangers.  Recently, in a Mill Valley, California Real Estate office, a well dressed couple walked in, and robbed the floor agent.   Another couple with a similar profile has been also robbing houses throughout the Bay Area.    If you feel this information is helpful, please pass it on to someone you know.

      1.  (Tip from Tae Kwon Do)  The elbow is the strongest point on your body.  If your close enough to use it, do!
      2.  From a tourist guide in New Orleans.  If a robber asks for your wallet or purse, Do Not Hand It To Him!  Toss it away from you…chances are he’s more interested in your wallet or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet or purse.  Run like mad in the other direction!
      3.  If you are ever thrown in the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy.  The driver won’t see you, but everybody else will.  This has saved lives.
      4.  Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, ect. and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, ect. Don’t Do This!  The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go.  As soon as you get into your car, lock the doors and leave! Read the rest of this entry »

Daily Record (Rochester, NY), September 25, 2007 by Danielle Derringer

Real estate agents are often in situations that call for them to be alone, unprotected and surrounded by people they don’t know.

According to local and national organizations, Realtor safety is a top priority. Earlier this month, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) conducted its fifth annual Realtor Safety Week. According to NAR, the week was implemented to recognize what Realtors are doing to stay safe and continue safety education. Read the rest of this entry »

Realtor Safety Week-

September 14-20 is National Assocation of Realtors Safety week - September has been declared by the National Association of REALTORS® as “Safety Month for REALTORS®.” To remind you of what needs to be considered for your personal safety the following is suggested:

“Keep Your Phone at Your Fingertips” (Always carry a charged mobile phone. Clip your phone on and make it part of your every day apparel.)
“Nix the Glamour Shots” (All your marketing materials should be polished and professional. Don’t use alluring or provocative photography in advertising on the internet or on your business cards. There are many documented cases of criminals actually circling photographs of their would-be victims in newspaper advertisements.)
“Be Prepared! Pre-Program!” (To best prepare for an emergency, pre-program important numbers in to your cell phone. These may include your office, your roadside assistance service or garage and most important…911. Have an ICE (In Case of Emergency number also, most police and emergency technicians look for ICE on a victim’s cell phone for a quick and direct contact. Have ICE as your spouse, office or closest contact’s number)

Check out this video - Safety Strategies for you and your client!

Best to you, be safe and remember, Your Personal Safety Is Up To YOU!!!

Every agent, seasoned and experienced or brand new, should be taking a safety course and there should be refresher courses taken also. You have got to be aware of what is going on while you are conducting your business of real estate. Too many times realtors get relaxed in their day to day business life. Life is good and the guard is down. But you have got to stay aware at all times. Here is a video on just what you can expect in a Realtor Safety Course. This one is ‘hands on’ as a safety course should be. There should be the class room information given but the ‘hands on’ is what is important. You must be able to go through an actual session of what could happen and how you need to respond.

If you take a course on safety, God Bless You. If you have never taken a course on safety, then now should be the time to think about doing so. It just might save your life. Remember, Your personal Safety Is Up To YOU!!!

Sid Cameron went well beyond his ‘call of duty’ to bring together some very good and thorough information that should definitely be an ‘eye opener’. These acts of violence against realtors have happened to others, doing the same type of real estate transactions as you. Please don’t ever think that it cannot or will not happen to you. Always be on guard and aware of what is going on - Your life could depend on it!

Courtesy of Darin “Sid” Cameron, posted on September 8, 2006 @ http://www.stlagent.com/blog/agentsonly/2006/09/crimes_against_real_estate_age.shtml#more

Crimes Against Real Estate Agents

If you’re not from St. Louis (or haven’t read the news lately) there were two real estate agents robbed at open houses in the St Louis area last week. One had their car stolen; the other was kidnapped at gun point where he was forced to take money out of an ATM. A suspect was apprehended yesterday. Now, it’s easy to shrug that off and say, “It was a one time occurrence,” or, “It was in a different town; I’m safe where I’m at.” However before you do, I would encourage you to read the rest of this article.

Read the rest of this entry »

Courtesy of www.warealtor.org

Below your will find some very good Safety Information for the Real Estate Professional. Sometimes we tend to forget, in our busy lives, to remember our own personal safety. We have so much going on but your personal safety should be your number 1 priority. When you are planning a showing, setting up an open house, working late on a contract, etc, always have your options available. Know what you are going to do so you don’t have to think about what you are going to do. Read the rest of this entry »

Self Defense Tips

Courtesy of Protect Your Home and Family

Do as much as you can to avoid a confrontation - “anticipation and avoidance” are the key words. If you get caught up in a situation, try to talk to an aggressor without provoking them. Practice relaxation, as appearing fearful or stressed can actually provoke an attack. Remember that body language is important in aggressive situations, so maintain a comfortable distance between you and the aggressor. Read the rest of this entry »

Have you ever been out and witnessed an unsafe situation and wondered how you would have reacted if that had been you? and you were glad that you didn’t have to make that kind of quick decision right then? Just so you know, you have more power than you know. Watch this video below, you will see what I mean. Read the rest of this entry »

I was on the internet and found this article about the real estate professional being at a risk with their safety! As a real estate professional, you have got to be aware and on guard at all times. Whether you’re on your way to the office, meeting a prospective client, sitting at an open house, working late in the office, at any time, you must be aware of what is going on around you. It seems that real estate professionals are singled out because criminals seem to think they are loaded! As a professional, you should always know what is going on around you; check things out and if you have a bad feeling about anything whatsoever, then go with that feeling and get out of there.

Courtesy of http://www.resaa.org/

21 Realtors were murdered nationwide in the year 2000 alone, according to a survey by the Washington Association of Realtors!

Maybe it’s easy to shrug that off and say, “It was a one time occurrence,” or, “That was in a different town, I’m safe where I work.”

But before you do, I would encourage you to please keep reading …

Read the rest of this entry »

Beth’s Top Ten Realtor Safety Tips

#10 - If you are showing several properties, phone your office occasionally to check in, often, just to let them know that all is okay. If you’re suspicious or fearful of someone, use these calls as a reason to return to the office immediately – (BE CREATIVE)

#9 - Take a self defense course, through your local police department, private business or individual or through your local board of realtors. Knowing how to defend yourself - using whatever self-protection devise you have, this will ultimately save your life, if need be

#8 - Drive separate cars, when possible, if not, make sure that you drive But never let yourself get blocked in by another vehicle(s)

#7 - Limit the amount of personal information that you share about yourself to your client, until you get to know them a little better, (because you do want them to ‘know you, like you and trust you’) but then be selective

#6 - Ask a friend to join you when showing property with a client that makes you feel uneasy. Pre-plan your escape routes from each level of a home, before you show it

#5 - Have and Be Prepared to Use Safety Products – carry a personal alarm, pepper spray, etc

#4 - Always carry your cell phone, charged and programmed to 911 on speed dial. Use it when danger first appears. Do not wait

#3 - Always let your office know where you are, your schedule and who you are meeting when going to a property

#2 - Meet the prospective client at your office for the first time; never ever at a vacant property, and ask them to fill out the client identification form. Verify the client’s identity, photocopy driver’s license, obtain the car make and license number

And Beth’s # 1 Realtor Safety Tip…

#1 - Pay attention to your intuition - Never put yourself at risk to avoid social awkwardness. You have every right to be cautious

Remember, Your Personal Safety Depends On YOU!

When something bad happens in the real estate community, everyone tightens up on their personal safety and security. When things are going well, we stop thinking about it. You have got to be thinking and planning for your Personal Safety and Security ALL THE TIME! Make it part of your day to day business planning.

As a real estate professional, your primary job is meeting with complete strangers - in your day to day activities; you’re faced with potentially risky situations! Like every segment of your business, you need to consider your personal safety as the number one factor in your success. Just a little pre-planning and upfront knowledge will help you stay ahead of the dangers.

Another wonderful realtor, Leslie Spennato of Prudential Georgia Realty, Woodstock, Georgia, has taken the time to share with us her realtor safety tips; tips that she uses in her day to day showing and selling of real estate.

In our day to day lives, we get so busy that we tend to be a little lax on our own personal safety & security. Always be aware of what is going on around you and as they always say, trust your gut feelings, it could save your life.

Remember, Your Personal Safety Is Up To YOU!

We hate to think about it, but as a real estate professional, bad things can happen to good people. You must stay on guard at all times. Follow the safety procedures your office provides. Follow your ‘gut’ reaction to someone that you meet whom you are planning to work with. If it sounds too good to be true, it might be! No sale is worth your life.

Women are normally the main target because we are so trusting but men are victims also. Try to always know what you would do in a ’situation’. Review the scenario in your mind. Know what you would do or what you would say if you were put in a particular situation. No one wants to think about what could happen, but if you don’t think about it, and if it does happen, you will not prepared. The whole idea is to be mentally prepared to do what needs to be done to make sure you bring yourself to safety, by whatever means.

Below are some incidences that have happened to real estate agents and today, family and friends are still re-living what went on. Realtors have a wonderful job and most of the time, work with wonderful clients, but there is that dark side and by being in this profession, it is something that has to be dealt with. Hopefully, you will never have to deal with any kind of controversy in your real estate career, but if it happens, will you know what to do? Read the rest of this entry »