Realtor Safety 911

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??     

When you schedule an Open House with your clients, do you give much thought to your personal safety?  When your new construction builder asks you to work an Open House in an isolated subdivision or development, do you give much thought to what you would do if confronted or attacked by a perpetrator or predator that unexpectedly shows up at your Open House?

Many realtors work Open Houses by themselves.  However, with crime on the rise against realtors – especially women - the trend may be moving towards working as teams or at least having someone else with you (a spouse or a friend) during your time at the Open House.

If you are like a lot of realtors who have had no issues or confrontations with potential perpetrators, personal safety may not be high on your priority list.  If you live in a city with a very low crime rate, the tendency may be to shrug off the thought of being attacked thinking “it won’t happen to me”.  This type of thinking may cause you to let your guard down leaving you vulnerable and at risk to being attacked because you didn’t recognize potential danger signs.

Whether meeting clients in their home to take a listing, showing homes to new prospects, or holding Open Houses  – what can you do to stay safe on the job and make yourself less of a target to the criminal predator?

First you must be Prepared and have a Personal Safety Plan of Action!  Be prepared - both mentally and physically - for the unexpected situation (and hope it will never happen).  But if it does, you are now prepared and have developed a safety plan of action to know exactly what you will do if put in a dangerous, confrontational situation.

Read the 7-Point Personal Safety Plan of Action

Remember, Stay Aware…Stay Alert…Stay Alive!