According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Member Safety Survey, almost half of female Realtors and one in four male Realtors have experienced a situation in the past year that made them fear for their personal safety or safety of their personal information.
Every job has its hazards. As a real estate agent, you are in a precarious position because you may be meeting clients you know nothing about. You may be alone while showing houses. You may have to hold an open house in a remote area of the city. Other than taking a self-defense course or keeping pepper spray in your briefcase, here are a few other tips to help you stay safe.
- Never show a vacant home alone
- Don’t sit in an open house alone
- Meet new clients at your office and get a copy of their ID, take a picture of their car and get their license plate number
- Make sure your cell phone has service in the area the home is located
- Don’t wear expensive jewelry, watches or clothing that might attract attention
- Have the police department on speed dial
- Let someone know the list of homes you plan to show, and the time you will be back
- Ask a coworker to call you at a specific time to make sure you are okay
- If working alone in your office, draw the shades and deadbolt the locks
- Never put your home address, home phone number or personal email on your business card
- If you post your open house notices on social media sites, state that there will be assistants who will also be helping you host the event.
If you feel uncomfortable or you sense there is something wrong, get out of there immediately. Tell a lie if you have to. Always go with your “gut.”
We would be happy to help with your open houses. Contact us today!
