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"For personal safety reasons I do not meet for the first time at a vacant home"

There has been much written about the dangers of being a real estate

professional today and real life situations that sadly have turned
out tragically. Please use my personal "script" - it works and I
don't feel the least bit tempted by the unknown caller or guilty
for saying it.

Repeat after me: "For personal safety reasons I do not meet for
the first time at a vacant home".

Repeat it again: "For personal safety reasons I do not meet for
the first time at a vacant home."

Repeat it as often as necessary until you are sure those words are
coming out of your mouth with ease.

Years ago I had a wonderful police officer friend drill this into my head.
That's what friends are for right?

He told me to memorize saying this until it came out quite comfortably
and confidently each and every time.

Only once in the years I've been a real estate agent has a caller balked at this
and not agreed to meet in my office for a "get to know you" chat prior to viewing
a vacant home. In fact, almost everyone that I've said this to has replied with
"I understand" and meant it.

Please please please preach safety first to YOURSELF. You're worth it.
Just ask the people around you who love you and need you.

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Posted by Kris Wales - Macomb County MI real estate blog & homes for sale search site on 02/11/2008 05:29 AM

Comments (36)

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36 Comments on "For personal safety reasons I do not meet for the first time at a vacant home"

FEB

2008

Kris, excellent script and MANY people need to read this. I am among them, thanks for the reminder.

Kris, I go into some rough neighborhoods. I am often leery about meeting people I have never seen as well. Never know what to expect. Good post! 8-}

GOOD FOR YOU CHRIS! Safe beats sorry every time!

Karen: Practice repeating it to yourself. You'd be surprised how easy it is to say! YOU are worth it.

Michael: I feel for you. The nature of your business is that you don't meet the client until you meet at the home. Pepper spray? Seriously.

Allison: You practice it please...it's so important to not run out for everyone.

Kris that is a smart idea not to meet anyone at a vacant home...always know the exits of a property...with all the crazies out there...you just never know!

Kris I always let another agent actually see who I am going out with as well if it is a Saturday or Sunday for instance and there is no one at the front desk. I also don't put them in my car but ask them to follow me.

BLR Guy: It's far too tempting to run right out and then consider the consequences of our actions. I had this drilled into me by my friend years ago, and the words just flow out of my mouth now.

Nannette: Both good ideas, thanks Nannette. My first time out is separate cars also, unless they came to me by referral.

Kris, thats an excellent idea! You might also wish to check out the blog I wrote yesterday, http://activerain.com/blogsview/374131/Safety-Tip-For-Male or Female Real Estate Business People.

Again Kris, thats a great idea, just keep saying it over and over until its second nature, to say it automatically!

Martin: Thanks so much for pointing the way to the article you wrote yesterday. I'll go read it now. Thanks again :-)

This is necessary advice for everyone these days Kris! Thanks for the reminder.

I need to repeat this a lot. I have in the past found myself breaking this rule.

Douglas and Elizabeth: It's so scary to read about what has been going on lately. You're welcome :-)

Gary: Please do repeat it to yourself. Often enough that you find yourself saying it without reservation. Your safety is more important than any commission check. EVER.

Great thought. In out office we always insist the customer come to the office first. Other offices in the area do that only with the female agents. Our office does it for everyone. Men can be killed too ya know?? :-) In the event the customer can't come to the office we always take another agent with us. One guy in our office is a retired Cop and a very BIG MAN so he usually comes. There is no such thing as too much safety.

Gary McAdams: I like your offices approach to safety. You are absolutely correct - male as well as female agents have to be careful. WE all need to learn how to say "no" and protect ourselves. I wish your retired cop was in our office :-) I'd buy him lunch or dinner as a thank you to have him come along.

Hi Kris,
I'm with you. My safety comes before any sale I might make. Thanks for this important message.

I seriously don't understand agents who are so intimidated over the potential of offending or losing a potential client that they would allow themselves to be bullied into meeting at the customer's whim.

What good is it to meet a customer if you don't know if they are who they say they are, you don't know if they can qualify for a loan, you don't know if they are really a potential buyer or just a looker. You protect yourself, the homeowner's property and your self respect when you set boundaries.

I think you are very smart. There are plenty of places to meet for the first time. Good reminder,.

This is a great rule to live by being male or female. It is always better to meet in a neutral location.

It's not a gender issue it's a sfety issue.

Cynthia: You are so welcome. Please please please tell yourself this often so you can repeat it to callers easily.

Wisconsin consumer: Thank you so much for taking the time to read and thoughtfully comment. I agree completely with you. Along with the safety issues, there are other issues we should contend with: A callers ability to purchase, a sellers rights in having their home shown to those that qualify, etc. I appreciate your time here and comment.

Al: Thank you. We all need the reminder sometimes.

Dwayne: I absolutely agree. Being safety conscious should apply to all of us.

Karel: I also agree with you. Not once did I refer to this as a gender issue. There have been many documented cases of male agents falling victim to crime.

Once again, I"ve emailed to my team a post like this, do you think they are starting to get my message?

So true and yet sometimes we just don't THINK! Thanks for the reminder. Why don't you re-post this on a regular basis!

Kris--I have had my husband drive with me and wait in the car in any sketchy situation...Even when the home is not vacant. Vacant homes can be scary situations. In this slow market we all need to remain diligent when that phone rings and realize that it might not be a client but a troublemaker. Good reminder for all!

Kris, and when in doubt, bring a male coleague with you. And be sure to fasten your seat belts for the dirve!

Excellent point. Sometimes I feel like no one would attack me, but there are some nuts out there.

your Friend in Charlottesville!

Kris, Good advice, especially upon hearing that awful news last week....I am trying to be very careful when I am called by a client.

Kris, I am emailing this to all my agents...and memorizing it myself. Wise words to live by. Later in the rain, Deb

Hi Kris, I can not think of one reason for any Realtors to meet at vacant homes without knowing the client first. Nice reminder Kris.

Kris, a great PSA on safety. I carry an 18 inch Mag Lite in my briefcase. Men are not immune to attack. An 11 year old child can incapicate an adult from behind. Take no chances!

FEB

2008

Missy: Keep preaching it (and emailing all you can to them). It's too easy to be tempted sometimes.

Diane: We should all re-post safety advice regularly. Different people read at different times of the day. Perhaps a new group related to safety and updates and advice would be helpful also.

Teri: Hubbys can be the best bodyguards :-) Good for you!

Patricia: Always! Love the mandatory seat belt law.

Charles: You carry a wallet, of course you could be attacked. Criminals look for opportunity. They don't care how it arises or presents itself.

Carole: My heart breaks for that young lady and her family. Truly horrifying!

Debra: Thank you. I hope each and every one of them takes it seriously.

Gary White: Thank you sir. No, like you, I can't think of one good reason either.

Andrew: Love those "cop" Mag Lites! A small canister of pepper spray in the coat pocket also is handy :-)

For personal safety reasons I do not meet for the first time at a vacant home - because of the rural area of where I show property it is not unusual for me to be miles from another person - so.... I do occasionally "pack some heat"

FEB

2008

I have never had a caller balk when I tell them they must first come to my office. Never.

A male agent was killed east of Seattle years ago. It was a brutal attack, and I have never forgotten him. His name was Mike Emert. I never met him, but I've never forgotten him.

Thesa: Girl, you've got the right idea if the homes you are showing are mainly rural!

Marlene: What a sad story about Mike. Darnit. This can be crazy sometimes. Glad to
hear you follow all the safety precautions.

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