Location, Location, Location...Safety, Safety, Safety!
Yes, we keep hearing and reading about safety and what we need to do. So, here is another post to read by Bill Irwin, and as he says, "Unfortunatly, bad things happen to good people". As Realtors our emphasis should always be on SAFETY !
Location, Location, Location...Safety, Safety, Safety!
As real estate agents, we are often in isolated areas with people we really don't know too well; Heck, we may have just met within the past couple of hours! Yet, we get into vehicles, drive around town, and go into unoccupied houses, basically with "strangers". Thus the nature of the real estate business. Safety, Safety, Safety!
Unfortunatly, bad things happen to good people. On Tuesday, May 13, a 49 year old man in Salisbury, NC was arrested and charged with attempted rape, kidnapping, and first degree sexual offense against a NC real estate agent. Our prayers go out to the victim, one of our peers!
I will not review the entire incident in the article as you can read it here, however we need to continue to watch out for each other and be sure everyone has Safety, Safety, Safety! foremost on their mind.
We are always told that the safest place to meet a prospect is in our office, but that is still no guarantee! According to the article, our peer in NC did just that...met at the office first. But bad people come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.
If your broker has not recently reviewed safety protocols & procedures, please ask him/her to do so soon. NAR has 56 Safety Tips for REALTORS which is a great start. Below are the first four safety tips provided by NAR. It's not all about Location, Location, Location...it is though all about Safety, Safety, Safety!
Tip #1
Keep it light
Show properties before dark. If you are going to be working after hours, advise your associate or first-line supervisor of your schedule. If you must show a property after dark, turn on all lights as you go through, and don't lower any shades or draw curtains or blinds.
Tip #2
Checking-in
When you have a new client, ask him/her to stop by your office and complete a Prospect Identification Form (Find a copy online at www.REALTOR.org/Safety). Also, photocopy their driver’s license and retain this information at your office. Be certain to properly discard this personal information when you no longer need it.
Tip #3
Don’t be too public
Limit the amount of personal information you share. Consider advertising without using your photograph, home phone number and/or home address in the newspaper or on business cards. Don’t use your full name with middle name or initial. Use your office address—or list no address at all. Giving out too much of the wrong information can make you a target.
Tip #4
Touch base
Always let someone know where you are going and when you will be back; leave the name and phone number of the client you are meeting and schedule a time for your office to call you to check in.
Location, Location, Location...Safety, Safety, Safety!
Bill Irwin, REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway HS
Florida Network Realty
904-280-0980
Bill Irwin
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