Realtor Safety 911

Courtesy of Massachussets Association of Realtors

Safety on the Road

As a REALTOR^®, you spend a great deal of time in your car. These tips may help protect you from dangerous situations on the road or while waiting in your car. 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 »

Don’t Walk ahead of the prospect.  When showing a home, always have your prospect walk in front of you. Don’t lead them, but rather, direct them from a position slightly behind them. You can gesture for them to go ahead of you and say, for example, “The master suite is in the back of the house.”

Your Personal Safety Is Up To YOU!

Choose Flight Over Fight 

While it is recommended that every Realtor should take a basic self-defense course, the primary goal in any threatening situation is to escape from immediate danger and call for help.

Remember, Your Personal Safety Is Up To You!

As a real estate professional, you are faced with potentially risky situations every day. Meeting new clients, showing homes, and even walking to your car at night can be dangerous. It is essential that you make safe decisions and know how to react when confronted with trouble.

Remember, Your Personal Safety Is Up To YOU!

 Take 2 Seconds when you arrive at your destination to check out potential dangers -

-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?

Be on guard at all times. Make safety your first priority. Be aware of your surroundings and who you are meeting with so you can make your best decision if anything should happen. Always choose Flight over Fight. Your primary goal in any threatening situation is to escape from immediate danger and call for help!

Remember, your personal safety is up to you!

Keep your office safe: When working in the office, alone at night, ensure all doors are secured. Always have an escape route. Make sure there is a security type bell or buzzer so if someone did enter the building, you are aware.

Courtesy of the mortgagenewsdaily www.mortgagenewsdaily.com

Realtor Safety Tips:

1. Always meet a client for the first time in the office. Introduce him or her to coworkers and make it clear that they know you are taking him out of the office. Try to take separate cars but if that is not possible you will have slightly more control if you drive. Do not meet a client at the property, particularly if he is calling on a yard sign. He will already have had a chance to note if the property is vacant.
2. Get a license plate number and leave it at the front desk. Just explain that it is office policy; a customer who means no harm won’t mind. You might also leave an itinerary for your house tour.
3. Don’t identify a property as vacant to a caller on an ad or sign.
4. When showing property to a stranger, follow rather than lead him through the house. Don’t let him get between you and the door. At an open house, take up a position as close to the door as practical.
5. Always carry a cell phone where it is easily accessible (not in the purse you left in the car or stowed in a kitchen cabinet.) Make sure emergency numbers are programmed into the speed dial.
6. Ask the office manager to control keys to the office and to place deadbolts on the doors. If you are alone in the office at night draw the shades and do not admit anyone you do not know well and trust.
7. Go with your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, if anything raises the hair on the back of your neck escape the situation immediately. You might feel like an idiot but don’t worry about it.

Police have also noted an increase in crimes where a woman sets up the victim, even for sexual assault. Women agents tend to be much more trusting of another female and let down their guard. Until you really know a customer, remain vigilant regardless of the gender, appearance, dress, or charm. It could save your life.

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.

When you are planning your open house, this is a good thing to do - call the local police department and ask them to have a squad car drive by during your open-house hours.

You should always be aware of the time of day that you meet a client to show vacant property. Showing a property at dusk or after dark, with or without electricity on, is never advisable.

Always carry a charged mobile phone. Clip your phone on and make it part of your everyday apparel for immediate accessibility. Carry an extra battery and/or have your car charger in your car so you will have access to your phone all day.

Nothing Personal - When talking with your clients and prospects, be friendly but still keep your personal information private. Keep your business life and personal life separate.This means avoid mentioning where you live, your after-work or vacation plans and similar details. Remember your Personal Safety is up to You!

You can learn what is available and then make a decision about finding a good self-defense class. Health clubs, martial arts studios and community colleges offer some type of class. Ask your fellow Realtors, friends and family if they have taken a self-defense class that they would recommend.

Ask these 5 questions of the self defense instructor:
#1 - Is the person an expert in Real Estate Safety or are they a self proclaimed “general safety guru” who attempts to teach EVERYTHING about EVERY aspect of safety to EVERYONE?
#2 - Does the person have a black belt or similar martial arts teaching credentials? Do they really teach students, or are they a glorified bar bouncer who travels from city to city performing speeches?
#3 - Is the person currently active in the fields of self defense and real estate and knowledgeable about current trends, or are they a retired “consultant?”
#4 - Is the person you are considering hiring available for continuing education, consultations and support? Do you really want your questions about safety issues addressed by someone who is not there for you?
#5 - Is the person trying to sell their products or educate Real Estate Agents?

A St. Louis self defense trainer interviewed a number of rapists and date rapists in prison on what they look for in their victim and here’s what he found:

The #1 thing men look for in a potential victim is hairstyle. They are most likely to go after a woman with a ponytail, bun, braid or other hairstyle that can easily be grabbed. They are also likely to go after a woman with long hair. Women with short hair are not common targets. Read the rest of this entry »

When you are alone and going to your car, be observant when approaching your car; look underneath and in the back seat before entering. Once in your car, the first thing you should do is lock the doors. The second thing the ladies should do is put your purse in the passenger floor, do not leave it on the passenger seat. A thief can break the window, grab your purse, and you will be too afraid to do anything. The third thing to do is drive away. Do not sit there and make a cell phone call, etc., immediately drive away.

9 Must-Know Safety Rules

Never be a victim in real estate. Sharpen your safety skills. Here are some of the potentially life-saving tips to know.

1- Know your prospects. Never meet a prospect at a home alone. Meet them at the office first and get the required personal inforamtion.

2- Create a distress code and let co-workers and family know that code.

3- Don’t be too flashy. Wear conservative clothing and avoid ostentatious jewelry that could make you a target for theft. Read the rest of this entry »

Be Prepared to Leave the Scene:

Be prepared to deal with a threatening situation by having ‘an out’. Prepare a scenario in advance so that you can leave - or you can encourage someone who makes you feel uncomfortable to leave. Examples: Your cell phone or pager went off and you have to call your office, you left some important information in your car, or another agent with buyers is on his way.

Always be prepared and ready to take action. Your safety could depend on it.