Mckenzie Standerfer's Blog

Home Maintenance: Questions & Answers

Mckenzie Standerfer (ERA Realty Center) — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 13:55:48 -0700

I came up with a list of questions that are oh-so-important that I think every homeowner needs to know, but neglects to ask. I've combined some tips and advice to help you stay safe and save money!

Can proper maintenance increase the value of my home?

Yes. There's no question that careful maintenance can pay off when it's time to sell your home. As we explained in the "Selling" section of this book, a neat, well-maintained house can be expected to generate more traffic, and quite possibly a faster sale for a better price, than a comparable house in less desirable condition. The same goes for home improvements, even smaller ones like minor kitchen remodeling or new bathroom wall coverings.

Even if you're not planning on moving in the foreseeable future, keeping up with routine maintenance will pay big dividends in the long run. For one thing, it will save you considerable time, trouble and expense when you are finally ready to sell. And it's certain to make homeownership a more rewarding, worry-free experience for you and your family.

Best of all, home maintenance doesn't have to cost a lot, in terms of either time or money. Even if you're not a weekend do-it-yourselfer, there are steps you can take right now to keep your home in top shape, inside and out.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

How can I increase the energy efficiency of my home without spending a fortune?

Making your home more comfortable and efficient doesn't have to take a great deal of time and money. For a good start toward saving on your home heating, cooling, and other energy bills, here are five easy steps you can take:

Keep your thermostat set around 78 degrees in the summer, 68 degrees in the winter. By avoiding constant adjustments you can stabilize your energy bills.
SAVINGS: You'll stay comfortable year round, and your heating/cooling bills won't make you uncomfortable either.
Dripping bathroom faucets and leaky showerheads are obvious waste culprits. Fortunately, they're easy to fix with a do-it-yourself book. Toilet tank water-savers can mean significant dollar savings, too.
SAVINGS: An average family can save about 20,000 gallons of fresh water a year with a few easy bathroom fix-ups.
Compact fluorescent lighting costs more than you're used to paying for the standard incandescent bulbs, but fluorescents last more than 10 times longer (over five years in many cases) and use just a quarter of the electricity.
SAVINGS: Over its lifetime each compact fluorescent bulb will save you $40 to $60 on your electric bill.
Fireplaces can be a big energy leak. Check dampers and screens to make sure warm air isn't escaping when the fireplace isn't in use. Consider installing an energy-saving firebox to help circulate heat. If the fireplace is just for decoration, cover the chimney.
SAVINGS: An energy-efficient fireplace can be an economical and cozy source of supplemental heat.
Help your home systems and appliances do their jobs by keeping filters clean and operating parts oiled. Clean air conditioning filters and wall units each year. Change furnace filters frequently, and keep your furnace motor oiled. A professional inspection once a year will keep things running smoothly.
SAVINGS: Doing the little things adds up to lower electric bills and fewer appliance replacement costs.

What's one sure way to keep my home energy bills under control?

Insulating your home is one of your best protections against high heating and cooling bills. It's also the best way to keep your home comfortable in every season.

Start with any unfinished attics and crawl spaces - that's where you'll notice savings of heat and money. Then consider adding insulation to the ceilings and walls between your living space and an unheated basement or garage.

Finally, don't forget that windows and doors can be some of your home's biggest energy wasters. Check weather-stripping, replace broken parts, and use storm windows and doors to stay draft-free.

What kind of insulation do I need?

The main considerations when selecting insulation for your home are ease of installation; cost; and durability. Because there are several different materials and forms to choose from (blanket, board, loose, etc.), it's best to talk with a building professional or salesperson to determine your particular needs.

HOW TO MEASURE INSULATION FOR YOUR HOME.

How much insulating material you need to protect your home depends on the material's "R-value." That's the rating of how well the material can block the flow of heat.

The higher a material's R-value, the better it is as an insulator. For example, fiberglass has an R-value of 3.1, while urethane board has an R-value of 5.9. Therefore, 12 inches of fiberglass and six inches of urethane would give you roughly the same amount of insulation.

Is it worth the money to call a professional just to handle maintenance?

When everything in your home seems to be running fine, it's very tempting just to let maintenance go until next year. Do your best to overcome that temptation.

Get into the habit of sticking to a regular schedule of maintenance for the systems and equipment in your home. You'll catch most little problems before they get big, and that can add up to enormous equipment and energy savings. Of course, the added benefit is the peace of mind that comes with being sure that everything in your home is running the way it was meant to.

If your home is covered by an ERA® Home Protection Plan® and you need assistance, simply follow service instructions included in your warranty contract. If you have any questions, or need professional repair service, help is available to you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

What maintenance records do I need to keep?

For easy reference in case of a repair or maintenance question, it's a good idea to keep a record of the brand, model number, and serial number of your major appliances and systems. Your records should also show the equipment installation dates (when known), as well as performance checks and service calls. Keeping these records can help you keep your home running smoothly the way checking your odometer can help you keep your car in top shape. Having such a handy reference source can help protect your investment for as long as you own your home, and it's impressive proof of consistent maintenance to prospective buyers.

Do-It-Yourself Home Maintenance

Mckenzie Standerfer (ERA Realty Center) — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 13:43:54 -0700

You can get more enjoyment in your home, and save money along the way, just by making a quick inspection every few months. The following inspection checklist includes some important safety, economy, and comfort considerations that you shouldn't overlook.

Also, keep a record of the maintenance performed on your home with the Service Schedule I have provided below this article.

INSIDE CHECK-UPS

Make sure handrails and posts on stairways are secure. Replace when necessary with inexpensive bracket hardware.
Test all household alarms, especially smoke alarms; change batteries frequently. And don't forget the doorbell.
Make sure drains are running smoothly. Check traps and basement waste pipes, then check the main water line and shutoff.
Inspect the basement for any damp spots, especially in corners. If you catch these areas early, a little waterproofing compound will usually do the trick.
Wrap your cold-water pipes with foam rubber insulation. It prevents pipe "sweating " in the summer and freezing in the winter.

OUTSIDE CHECK-UPS

Keep gutters sloped toward the downspout, and keep them free of leaves and twigs.
Keep basement windows in good order. Consider window well covers to keep out leaves and rain.
Flashing is where a roof or wall meets a chimney or skylight. Check the seals in these areas to see if they're secure.
Replace individual shingles when worn or loose.
Use wire screening to keep insects and birds from nesting in roof ventilation areas.
Lubricate garage door hardware and hinges.
Fill and seal driveway cracks when necessary.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, BE PREPARED!

Make sure that everyone in the house, including children who are old enough to be left alone, knows where to find the following:

The closest fire extinguisher, and how to use it.
The fuse box or main circuit breaker, and how it works.
The main gas shutoff valve, and how to turn it off.
The main water shutoff valve, and how to turn it off.
Emergency-services contact numbers (fire, police, ambulance) in your area.

MAINTENANCE TIP
Eliminating heat loss will not only save you money now, but may add value to your house when it comes time to sell.

SERVICE SCHEDULE

Keep Your Home in Good Working Order and Watch its Value Grow!

Model	Serial #	Installed By/Date
Heating
Natural Gas Furnace	_____________	_____________	_____________
Heat Pump	_____________	_____________	_____________
Fuel Oil Furnace	_____________	_____________	_____________
Interior Oil Tank	_____________	_____________	_____________
Air Conditioning
Central Air System	_____________	_____________	_____________
Indoor Evaporator	_____________	_____________	_____________
Outdoor Condensing Unit	_____________	_____________	_____________
Wall Units	_____________	_____________	_____________
Plumbing
Gas/Electric Water Heater	_____________	_____________	_____________
Oil-Fired Water Heater	_____________	_____________	_____________
Pipes	_____________	_____________	_____________

SERVICE/CLEANING SCHEDULE

Heating	Last Serviced
Natural Gas Furnace	Early fall (professional)	_____________
Heat Pump	Early fall (professional)	_____________
Fuel Oil Furnace	Early fall (professional)	_____________
Interior Oil Tank	Check for leaks and rust	_____________
Professional cleaning/inspection early each fall	_____________

Air Conditioning/Central Air System
Indoor Evaporator
Check filters each month during cooling season; Check for proper draining at condensate line	_____________
Outdoor Condensing Unit
Clean before cooling season; professional inspection when warm temperatures are constant	_____________
Wall Units
Pull out and have cleaned professionally in fall or early spring	_____________

Plumbing
Gas/Electric Water Heater Flush out sediment every 6 months	_____________
Oil-Fired Water Heater Professional flush and clean every 6 months	_____________
Pipes Flush out every 3 months	_____________

Home Staging Tips & Ideas for the Motivated Seller

Mckenzie Standerfer (ERA Realty Center) — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 12:39:53 -0700

Staging a home that is for sale is one of the most important and observable actions a seller can make. Home staging can turn a dull and lifeless property into a warm and inviting home in the potential buyer's mind.

Some sellers hesitate to spend any money on home staging, but that is usually ill-considered. So many studies has found that the increase in the purchase price of staged homes far more than covers the cost of staging. Not only does the home sell for more, staged homes usually sell much faster, and with happier buyers.

So here are some simple tips, great for someone planning to sell, also great for agents to hand out to thier clients!

Home Staging Tips for the Outside of Your Home

1) Git rid of any and all clutter. Trim back overgrown bushes, and just do a thorough clean-up.

2) Some people don't realize how much a good fresh coat of paint makes a difference. Be careful not to pick too strong of a color. The idea is to appeal to the greatest number of buyers as possible, so you want to keep it nuetral.

3) Fresh sod or landscaping can really make your home stand out, while your homes on the markwt make sure your landscape stays maintained.

4) Rid of any other weak points that stand out like oil stains on the driveway, an old T.V. antennae on the roof, etc.

5) Putting out some some simple flowers in a pot on the front porch, and a new doormat can create an inviting feeling to buyers.

Home staging tips to improve the inside of the home:

1) Remove all clutter. Homes look bigger and more stylish without it.. Many stagers have the clients move out entirely, and the stagers bring in their own items. Take all of the pictures off of the refrigerator, remove any stacks of paper on your desk, etc. Also, having a professional house cleaning service come in and do a thorough once-over is almost always well worth the cost. You want potential buyers to be able to picture thier own things in the home.

2) Fresh paint can make a real difference. It can completely switch around the appearance of your home. Use colors that will appeal to the greatest number of people-again nuetral. You may prefer something bolder or outrageous for yourself, but when selling a house, neutral-colored interior paints work best. Also, replace any worn carpets or other flooring. If you have hardwood floors that are in rough shape, having them refinished can often return many times the cost of the refinishing, and sell the home much faster.

3) In many parts of the country homes are shown with no window coverings at all. This creates an open and airy feeling.

4) Make sure there are no unpleasant pet or cooking odors. A good idea is to bake cookies for the open house, creating a warm feeling in they buyer's mind.

5) Use size-appropriate furniture. If you have a small bedroom, don't put a king-sized bed in there. Conversely, if you have a huge master suite, putting a single bed in there would look unbalanced.

6) Leave the lights on even during the day to make the home as bright as possible.

All of these home staging tips are really geared towards making the whole package seem as pleasant and comfortable as possible. One would think that buyers buy with their heads, but it's often their hearts that make the decision!

So much going on in Cedar City!!!

Mckenzie Standerfer (ERA Realty Center) — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 21:32:03 -0700

My goal in this, and many of my other posts including future posts, is to inform not only present Cedar City, Ut residents, but anyone else interested in this great booming town of all the activities, business info, community info, current events, and even city government!

Industrial Parks

Location, location, location! Cedar City is a distribution center strategically located in the western states. With several business parks and excellent access to all major western markets, Iron County makes it possible to reach the large markets at a cost that makes doing business easy.

The Airport Industrial Park site is about two miles from the Interstate, using Airport Road and State Road 56. The Cedar City Industrial Park site is about 4 miles from the Interstate using its own access road and State Road 56. A well-maintained highway, State Road 56 offers excellent access to the Interstate and runs East and West. The Coal Creek Industrial Park is less than two miles from Interstate 15 on State Road 56.

Airport Industrial Park

This 30 acre infrastructure-ready area has been designated for light industrial, manufacturing, and distribution center use and is primarily owned by the city. Located directly next to the new multimillion dollar Cedar City Regional Airport Terminal, it is currently home to several businesses and manufacturers including Fabral, Western Quality Foods, Integrated Process Systems, White Wave Soy Milk Co., and North America Packaging Corporation.

Click here to download PDF (472 kb) of Industrial Park Area

General Description
The Airport Industrial Park is an infrastructure-ready area located directly next to the Cedar City Regional Airport and is currently home to several manufacturers including DHS Corporation, Fabral, Western Quality Foods, Integrated Process Systems and NAMPAC. Also, several smaller users are located within the park boundary.

There is a new segment of the park that is open for business which includes over 30 acres of improved Industrial Park Property. The area has been designated light industry and airport services use within the city limits. The major landowner within the park is the City and Coca-Cola.

Zoning
The Airport Industrial Park is zoned I&M-1 and has been established as a district in which the primary use of the land is manufacturing, fabricating, processing and warehousing establishments. This zone is characterized by flat, open land suited for industrial uses because of the proximity to major transportation routes. Uses which give rise to excessive noise, vibration, smoke, odor, dust, fumes, or danger of explosion have been excluded from this zone; certain regulations concerning the external appearance of buildings and structures, and the maintenance and use of land have been adopted.

Access & Location
Located in the heart of southwestern Utah along Interstate-15, Cedar City is accessible to 40 million people and 92% of the major western cities within one-days trucking. Your products can be shipped from the Cedar City locations and arrive at the destination all on the same day, resulting in lower costs and satisfied customers. Situated 2 1⁄2 hours north of Las Vegas and 3 1⁄2 hours south of Salt Lake City, the quiet high-plateau desert setting of Cedar City makes for an incredible business, distribution and manufacturing location. The Airport Industrial Park is located directly next to the airport and is only minutes away from the I-15 on-off ramp. The daily arrival and departure of Fed Ex and UPS aircraft as well as other contracted freight and transportation companies provides next-day delivery service and the convenience of immediate shipment in & out of the area. The new rail-spur that has been added to the park makes it an ideal site location.

Pricing
The value of the land within the park is determined by an outside appraisal. The completed appraisal is presented to the Cedar City Council members. After review of the use, company and employment opportunities the Council will accept appraisal value for the site. The City will consider any offer that meets or exceeds a value of $100,000 per acre subject to appraisal.

Businesses Highlights:
White Wave Soy Milk Co. expanded into the Cedar City area and has teamed up with Western Quality Foods, a dairy producer, to produce soy milk for west coast distribution. White Wave chose Cedar City after looking at several locations because of the amazing distribution location, bond opportunities, and the quality of life in Cedar City.

NAMPAC is the principal manufacturer in North America of a wide range of rigid industrial packaging. An extensive product line includes industrial plastic pails, plastic tight head containers, large plastic bottles, plastic paint cans and open and closed head plastic drums. With nine current plants strategically located throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, they offer a diverse line of industrial packaging to meet a wide range of needs. Since producing their first plastic pail in 1967, they have earned a reputation for innovative packaging.

Fabral is the premier supplier of metal roofing and siding for agricultural, post frame, architectural, industrial, commercial and residential applications. Over 30 different profiles and a wide variety of popular finishes and substrates including galvanized steel, galvalume, aluminum and copper give Fabral one of the most extensive product lines in the industry.

For more information contact:

Bryan Dangerfield

Cedar City/ Iron County Economic Development

435.586.2770

Cedar City Industrial Park - Port 15

Located just west of Cedar City, this 800-acre site enjoys an established infrastructure that includes municipal sewer, water, power, roadway and rail access that could easily be extended to new plant sites. The major landowner for the park is the State of Utah Trust Lands Administration. The park currently houses two primary manufacturers: Cerro Copper, which produces copper tubing, and Longview Fibre Company, a manufacturer of corrugated boxes. Lozier Corporation, a manufacturer of retail store fixtures, purchased a 540,000 sq. ft. building in this industrial park and began production in 2004. Click here for a map of Port 15.

General Description- Cedar City Industrial Park
Located approximately 4 miles west of the Cedar City entrance to I-15 and adjacent to State Road 56, this 800-acre site enjoys an established infrastructure that includes municipal sewer, water, power, roadway and railway access that could easily be extended to new plant sites. The park currently houses two primary manufacturing businesses: Cerro Copper and Longview Fibre Co. The major landowner for the park is the State of Utah School Trust Lands Administration. The property is being marketed with their joint venture partner, Quantum Development (http://www.port15utah.com/). Southern Utah University, O'Sullivan Industries, Bullock, Sevy and Gilbert own other property for sale in the area.

Zoning
The park is zoned for light industry use within the city limits and has been established for the primary uses of manufacturing, fabrication, processing, distribution and warehouse-type establishments. Being located within the city limits guarantees municipal services and access to Cedar City's infrastructure system.

Access & Location
The industrial park offers an excellent location, with easy access to State Road 56 and I-15. State Road 56 borders the property on the south, providing excellent surface road access. Once on I-15, Las Vegas is only 2-1⁄2 hours south and Salt Lake City is 3 1⁄2 hours North, allowing trucks to arrive at most western destinations within one day. The City center is located approximately four miles east of the park. In addition to major roadways, the site also benefits from access to the Union Pacific Railroad and the Cedar City Regional Airport.

The Union Pacific railroad runs diagonally through the park, opening up acres of land for direct rail access. Many companies and businesses have benefited by using rail to transport raw goods and materials into their manufacturing plants at much lower cost than by bringing raw products by truck.

The Cedar City Regional Airport (CDC) is only minutes away from the industrial park and offers daily flights via the Salt Lake City International Airport and McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada to more than 300 destinations world-wide. Fed-Ex, UPS and other contracted freight transportation carriers make daily flights, allowing next day package deliveries so you can be guaranteed next day package delivery. Charter flights are also available on-site to facilitate immediate and personalized air transportation to destinations of your choice. FBO services are on hand to fuel your aircraft and take care of your grounds needs.

Pricing
The land is owned by the State of Utah School Trust Lands Administration and pricing varies depending on the location. Contact Quantum Development for detailed cost and information (http://www.port15utah.com/).

Business Highlights
Longview Fibre Co. produces a broad range of paper and containerboard products. In 1995, the Cedar City plant was built to distribute to the west and to service the surrounding communities. Longview has a network of 15 efficient converting plants stretching coast-to-coast producing quality containers and bags. Longview has over a half a million acres of intensively managed forest resource growing on Company Pacific Northwest Tree Farms backing up the operations. Looking to the future, Longview Fibre plans to continue the expansion and modernization of existing facilities, involving many million-dollar investments annually. Longview constantly strives to produce paper products fast and more economically.

Cerro Copper is a copper-tubing manufacturer, expanded its operation into Cedar City in 2000 and began production during 2002. The new Cerro tube manufacturing facility, the first of several planned, will be completely integrated from raw material through finished tube, and will feature a unique Cerro-developed tube manufacturing process incorporating the most automated equipment available.

"We selected Cedar City because of its ideal strategic location as well as the intense commitment by local government to bring us here, clearly making this the ideal choice for Cerro," stated Henry L. Schweich, President of Cerro Copper Co.

Antelope Valley

General Description:

Located West of Cedar City in the county, this 1,500 acres site has both rail service and access to I-15 and over 40 million customers. Musket Corporation (Loves Fuel), and WECCO are on site as well as Iron Springs Raceway. Photo

Zoning

This area is zoned I&M 1 by Iron County, which establishes the

area for manufacturing, distributions, warehouse, and

fabrication type businesses.

Additional

Utilities include gas, power, phone, and water. This property is

served by 5 miles of railroad by Union Pacific.

Map of Property is also available.

Contact Frank Nichols at Mountain View Real Estate's website or at 435.586.2424.

Coal Creek Industrial Park

With lots ranging from 1/3 acre to 2 acres, this infrastructure-ready area offers an excellent location just south of the Airport Industrial Park. Its extra wide streets makes for easy delivery access. The park enjoys many established businesses, and includes natural gas, three-phase power, phone, sewer and City water.

General Description
With lots ranging from 1/3 acre to 2 acres, this infrastructure-ready area offers an excellent location just south of the Airport Industrial Park. Its extra wide streets make for easy delivery access. The park enjoys many established businesses, and includes natural gas, three-phase power, phone, sewer and City water.

Zoning
The Coal Creek Industrial Park is zoned I&M-1 and holds restrictions against salvage yards, automotive repairs, and animal rendering plants. This zone is characterized by flat, open land suited for both business and industrial use because of the proximity to major transportation routes. Certain landscaping requirements do exist.

Access & Location
Excellent roadways and access already exist off of Airport Road to this site, located just .75 mile off of I-15. The site also benefits from being located less than a mile from the Cedar City Regional Airport.

Pricing
This site is owned by Connel Gower Construction and offers numerous lots varying in size and cost.

Businesses
Aero-Tech
Hackwell Machine Works
Premiere Heating & Cooling
Timberline Cabinets
Astonics
Six States Truck Parts
Mosdell Sanitation
Chrysalis L.L.C
Happy Factory
AAA Five Restoration
Connel Gower Construction
Estate Storage

For more information about the Coal Creek Industrial Park contact Connel Gower at 435.586.8449.

Cedar City, Ut's Economic Profile

Mckenzie Standerfer (ERA Realty Center) — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 21:25:29 -0700

I would like to thank the Iron County's Treasurer's Office for so much helpful information for this blog.

Economic Profile

Cedar City's 2006 Growth Slightly Lower than 2005

Cedar City experienced many changes in 2005 due to the enormous amount of growth that took place during that year. Overall growth increased by 8%. 1,000 new jobs were created between November 2004- November 2005. 753 new homes were permitted, and business license permits increased 28% in the last 18 months. Growth rate from 2005 to 2006 was 4.9%. Cedar City is very excited about all of the growth and opportunities that are coming to our City.

Standing at the forefront of the 21st Century, Cedar City has proven itself time and again to be on the leading edge of America's modern economy. Cedar City's unemployment rates are frequently below national and state averages while the area basks in its educated and motivated workforce. By encouraging a clean, well-planned, industrial-friendly community, the city provides retailers, manufacturers and distributors with an excellent infrastructure, available building facilities, low-cost industrial park property and a regional airport with daily service.

Along with its local government support and a savvy workforce, the area boasts a pleasant and inviting atmosphere in which to manage the day-to-day business operations. An Iron County experience includes high mountain wilderness mixed with warm desert scenery. One can ski in the morning and golf at the base of red sand stone hills in the afternoon. Surrounded by various national parks and monuments, the geography provides the ideal, scenic terrain for rock climbing, mountain biking, golfing, four wheeling, fishing, or snowboarding. In addition to the many recreational opportunities, the youthful academic energy of Southern Utah University makes for a pleasant environment to live and work. If you would like additional information, please contact the Economic Development office at 435.586.2770

Cost of Living - Third Quarter 2006

	100% All Items	13% Groceries	29% Housing	10% Utilities	9% Transportation	4% Health Care	35% Misc.
U.S. Average	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0
Cedar City, UT	95.1	100.0	91.6	85.3	97.6	88.3	102.2

Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Index, http://www.coli.org/

Utah StateTaxes - Source: Iron County Treasurer's Office

Utah's pro-business government has tried to keep the red tape and taxes to a minimum. With a 6.1% sales tax, Utah is among one of the lowest in the nation.

Local Taxes
Tax rates reflect the total taxes for service in the city or town, the school district and the county.
Cedar City	.010562
Parowan	.010858
Kanarraville	.008653
Enoch	.009410
Brian Head	.010518
Paragonah	.008544
Iron County	.007658
.
Industrial property is calculated by: Market Property Value X 100% gives Taxable Property Value.
Residential property is calculated by: Market Property Value X 55% gives Taxable Property Value.

2006 Current Ad Valorem Taxes

Tax Levied By Tax Rate
Cedar City	.
County General Fund	.000992
County School (State)	.001515
County School (Local)	.004533
County Library	.000055
County Public Health	.000057
Statewide A & C	.000139
Iron County A & C	.000300
Water Conservancy	.

Source: Iron County Treasurer's Office

The Agent's 911

Mckenzie Standerfer (ERA Realty Center) — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 21:33:39 -0700

The guys over at NACOM have come out with a new product for Real Estate Agents, The Agent's 911 . I was contacted early on in their design process as we covered attacks on agents such as Sarah Anne Walker on the site. Their company has been in the ATM security business providing a means for contacting the police quicky if a service agent for an ATM is accosted.

Obvioulsy, they understand the need for a a quick response in the face of an emergency.

And as the bad guys realize what an easy target a real estate agent is in the homes they are showing, security will become more and more of an issue for real estate agents.

So the team designed The Agent's 911 for Real Estate Agents. Essentially it is a live panic button in the homes that are for sale that places a call to the local police if an agent feels they are in trouble. The agent will wear a pendant or bracelet that has an activator that can be pushed to alert the authorities that a problem is occuring.

So instead of being alone and scared if you think you are going to be assaulted, you can immediately start the police response.

The system can be used in homes that are occupied, and if the home is empty, phone services such as Verizon also have a low cost 911 service for homes that the phone service is turned off on.

Also ease of use is a big factor in the design of the product. From the website and e-mails with the creators I learned that the system is easily installed. An agent that is not technically savvy will not have a problem quickly and correctly install the Agent's 911 unit.

Agent safety is not something that brokers want to mess around with. The combination of a safety alert system with a sign to ward off criminals could save the life of an agent.

The Agent's 911 is taking pre-orders now, but if you are a real estate agent or a broker, I would take the time to check them out.