If you can't meet them in your office, then meet at an office near the site (your franchise or KW, we don't care), or a restaurant near the property. 

What's wrong with asking a friend or agent to accompany after hours? After 30 years, the commission is not worth the risk. 

Melody, I don't think you can be too careful. Here in Waco we had a couple of incidents that could have turned out much worse than they did. You just never know.

Be careful in vacant houses in any neighborhood. A builder here was attacked by an AWOL soldier that had been living in the house, he was lucky to get away although he was hurt pretty good. Had it been one of us female realtors no telling what would have happened.

The scary thing is that me and another agent had been in that house numerous times (in a nice neighborhood, nice home) and we still wonder if he had been there on one of the occasions hiding.

As a woman you definitely need to take precautions for your safety.  There is an upside to be fifty years old and having a five o'clock shadow.  (at least for a guy)

You are right David.

Wendy- I don't even walk into HUD homes without my buyers (DNA tested of course) with me.  Forget previewing for me!

Russ- Some men wear that shadow well.

Ok, here is my what not to do story..........

http://activerain.com/blogsview/178048/What-not-to-do

Julie- you are right.  Everyone should read that.  BTW- Why did he ask her that anyway?

Good idea about the HUD homes.  The home this happened in was a very nice upper priced home in a nice neighborhood, so it can happen anywhere.  Also, had a person here making obscene phone calls to female agents. Luckily he was caught.

LOL about the DNA.

Melody,

Apparently that goes in the report......what a day......(if you saw my monkey zoo ad now it is all making sense.......)

Wendy- The HUD homes in our area are getting nicer and more expensive all the time.  They are still a deal but...

Julie- I read it and understand it 100%.

Safety first above all else and absolutely NO reason to take additional risk.  I've gone as far as to ask for a faxed copy of the driver's license and a utility bill prior to meeting at a property where I wait in my car until I can call my secret trusted source to run tags.  All because I had a weird feeling.  As it turned out, the buyer was fine and I was not in danger.   

Still, I don't pretend it can't happen to me.  It's better to be safe than sorry...or dead.

Amanda- I want your source.  What is it worth to you.

And Amanda- Listen to those 'weird feelings'.  They are usually right on.  You never can be to careful.

Mel,my source is worth keeping and if I give up my "connection" they won't be a source.  Call me when you need tags run, dahling.  ::wink, wink::

Melody,

When I had a real estate office in urban Atlanta, I required my agents to meet clients at the office, and to get a copy of their driver's license before taking them out to see property.

Once the reason was explained, nobody really protested. That might not work now, due to high incidences of identity theft, but in the late 90's that worked for us!

That is a good tip.  Thank you.

Melody,

I think the hard side to this question and one that is not always addressed is the fact that we are taught form the time we come into the business that we need to build "relationships".  We need to stay alert to this because those that  seek to do us, both men & women, harm have done their homework and know what they are going to do.  I would always trust my instincts and err on the side of caution and take someone with me or have someone call me every 15 minutes until I give them the all clear.

Don R.

Don you are right.  More than once I have gotten that 'feeling' something could be wrong.  I listened and I am still here to tell you about it.

Melody, I am a survivor and you can't be too safe. I promise you. I posted a blog when I first joined AR about my story of survival. Go there and read it. I won't take your space to tell the whole story again. I will tell you now there is no way you can be too paranoid.

Don, there was a realtor in Coppell several years ago that had been showing the same man houses for over a year when he nearly killed her. I don't think you can ever let down your guard completely. I did have someone with me when we were assaulted in the person's house.

I forgot to give my link.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/439074/Safety-First-Trust-Your

Becky- Thank you.  I will read it later today.  I have to get some work done.

I read Becky's story it's a must read!  It just reminds us that we must always be very cautious with people and never put our guard down with new prospects. 

Becky- It is a story every Realtor should read.  Thank you for sharing.

Not a problem. I decided when this happened to me that I should share the incident with others to keep our awareness up.

If I have to go to a vacant home I call the police/sherrifs dept and they will send someone out to meet me there. The police chief told me to never hesitate to call and ask.

I have also had someone from the office call me at specific times on an ppointment. I tell my client I must take this call. We act like it is something important like an offer on another property.

I had one case where the customer wanted to meet me at the house. It was 20 miles from my office and near his work/ home. As we scheduled the appointment He wanted to verify the home was vacant. The hair stood up on the back of my neck. I got his name and number in case we had any problems( the number he called from wa private) He then asked if I would be the one to show him the home. For some odd reason I was thinking quick and replied that it would likely be my parter and I both since we like to both meet our new clients.

The day of the appointment I called the number and it was to a tire stor. They had never heard of anyone withthat name. He never called back.

Wendy- you are a smart woman.  We need to be cery careful!