I pass this on as a reminder. It was written by and for our association (SCAR) I do not expect points for it.

Greg

Real Estate Can Be a Dangerous Business   May 10, 2007 

 SCAR (South Carolina Association of Realtors) is saddened to report two real-estate-related attacks on women in South Carolina in the last few days. Fortunately, both women are recovering from these attacks, though both suspects are still on the run.

On Saturday, a REALTOR® in Rock hill was attacked and raped when she went to meet a client at a house. When she arrived, the attacker came at her from behind and forced her inside.

On Monday, a male Caucasian in his forties, driving a white pick-up, stopped at a home listed by a Greenville REALTOR®. He told the seller that he was meeting the listing agent to view the house. The agent's name was written on the yard sign. When the homeowner let him in, he attacked her.

Please keep both of these women in your thoughts and help us wish them a quick and full recovery.

Nick Kremydas, CEO

Keep yourself SAFE

Due to the frequent contact with unfamiliar people in private locations, REALTORS® face more on-the-job risks than many other business professionals.

In a recent NAR safety survey of REALTORS®, 67 percent of respondents have experienced safety concerns, incidents, or other harassing situations while working as a REALTOR®. A majority of issues involve open houses or vacant property. Other issues include unfriendly dogs, unsafe property, and threatening or harassing phone calls.

What can you do to protect yourself and stay out of potentially dangerous situations? Be sure you follow all of these guidelines to keep yourself and your clients safe.

10-Second Rule for Personal Safety

Taking in your surroundings lets you spot and avoid danger. Make it a habit every time you arrive somewhere.

Take 2 Seconds when you arrive at your destination.

Is there a questionable activity in the area?

Are you parked in a well-lit, visible location?

Can you be blocked in the driveway by another vehicle?

Take 2 Seconds after you step out of your car.

Are there suspicious people around?

Do you know exactly where you're going?

Take 2 Seconds as you walk towards your destination.

Are people coming and going or is the area unusually quiet?

Do you observe any obstacles or hiding places in the parking lot or along the street?

Is anyone loitering in the area?

Take 2 Seconds at the door.

Do you have an uneasy feeling as you're walking in?

Is someone following you in?

Take 2 Seconds as soon as you enter your destination.

Does anything seem out of place?

Is anyone present who shouldn't be there or who isn't expected?

Keep Yourself Safe

Make sure that you are preventing accidents and keeping yourself and your clients safe. Follow these guidelines and make them a part of your daily routine.

REALTORS®

Never enter an empty home alone. If a coworker isn't available, ask a family member or friend to come along. Ask the seller's neighbor to walk around with you. Just don't go alone.

Always keep a mobile phone with you. Program emergency numbers into speed dial.

Never allow a client to drive you. Always take your car and follow your directions.

Meet all new clients at your office; verify their identity.

Take a personal safety course.

When showing a house, always walk behind the prospect. Direct them; don't lead them. Say, for example, "The kitchen is on your left," and gesture for them to go ahead of you.

Notify someone in your office, your answering service, a friend or a relative that you will be calling every hour on the hour. If you don't call, they are to notify the police immediately.

In showing a property, always leave the front door wide open while you and the client are inside. As you enter each room, stand near the door.

BROKERS

Establish a voice stress code, a secret word or phrase that is not commonly used but can be worked into any phone or in-person conversation for cases where you feel that you are in danger. Use this if the person you are with can overhear the conversation, but you don't want to alarm them.

The distress code could be something as simple as "Hi, this is Jane. I'm at [address]. Could you e-mail me the red file?" It may make the most sense for everyone in your office to share a single distress code; this will be easiest to remember for everyone.

Encourage all REALTORS® to take a self-defense course. Invite a safety expert to your next sales meeting.

Establish office policies that ensure safety and require that they are followed:

o Client Identification Form

o Agent Identification Form (updated yearly)

o Agent Itinerary Form (updated daily for receptionist)

CLIENTS

Make sure your clients know these basic rules to keep them and their families safe from predators.

NEVER allow anyone into your home unless accompanied by a REALTOR® with an appointment.

Ask all REALTORS® and agents to provide proper identification.

Remind your clients that appointments are always made prior to a showing.

Your REALTOR® should not create any situation that makes you uncomfortable. If anything or any situation seems dangerous, lock your door or run to a neighbor. Contact the police and your REALTOR® immediately.

Greg Flanagan is a full time Realtor with Exit Realty Charleston Group. He can be contacted at 843-818-8867 or email gflanagan@exitcharleston.com. http://www.flanaganhometeam.com/