Special offer

Do You Have a Coded Distress Signal for Your Office?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Beam & Branch Realty TREC #547752

Do You Have a Coded Distress Signal for Your Office?

Distress

In this day and age of extreme safety vigilance, it is important that your office has a coded distress signal. Every agent should know the term, phrase, etc. and then knows the proper protocol if the signal is received. This will take a little training and even some practice. Stressful situations don't give any of us time to "think" rather than "react".  When we are trained properly, we will react appropriately.

 

A coded distress signal could be something like:

 

"Please pull the Yellow files for me."

"Would you please check the information on the ______________house?"

I left my ______________ on my desk.

 

This coded distress signal could be anything but needs to be something that ALL agents know that when they hear this phrase, something is very wrong.

 

If this distress signal is provided, knowing what to do is critical. Every office should have a protocol that everyone knows by heart. What to do first? Whom to call? 

 

Staying safe is of course something we all think about. Have a plan, practice the plan and review your plan frequently. Make sure all new agents know this information as well.

 

Be safe my friends!  

Posted by

Comments (19)

Allie Angeloni
Long Realty - Oro Valley, AZ

Our office does not Paula McDonald.  Now when we Show Homes or do Open Houses, someone needs to know what we are doing and where, but it's not one specific person.  For example, since I'm part of 'Team Angeloni', Roger always knows where I am and what I am doing.  I do think that sound like an excellent Plan though! 

Jan 28, 2016 11:18 PM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Terrific  blog post!  We all need to think about safety! Thanks for sharing it and have a wonderful Friday

Jan 28, 2016 11:21 PM
Jeff Stevens
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New Mexico Properties - Las Cruces, NM
Jeff Stevens, Associate Broker/REALTOR

Good idea and great post. I'm going to suggest this in our office. Thanks for sharing.

Jan 29, 2016 12:26 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Thanks all.  I thought that this was super important!  Good for all of us.

Jan 29, 2016 12:35 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Paula, I've never worked anywhere or was affiliated with any office that had such a coded distress signal.  It make perfect sense.

Jan 29, 2016 01:44 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Paula- it makes good sense and if you do have one, as you said... have a plan in place should someone make that call. 

Jan 29, 2016 04:45 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

 We used to have a coded distress signal at my old office but because of too many turnovers it got lost in the shuffle Paula McDonald 

Jan 29, 2016 05:43 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

This topic seems to becoming more and more important each year.  And, you provide valuable insight into handling distress signals.

CONGRATULATIONS on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Club group!

Jan 29, 2016 11:52 AM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Good morning Paula.  Yes we do, however depending on which agent they (bad guys/gals) choose, they would be in for a rude awakening.

Jan 29, 2016 06:43 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

 

                    Thank you Paula McDonald for my ah-ha moment. 

Jan 30, 2016 09:46 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Good post. This is  a great idea. I will suggest it to my Broker. 

Jan 30, 2016 08:27 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Paula McDonald ,

Unfortunately in the world we live in today a coded plan needs to be thought out and adhered to for your personal safety! We do have one in place.

Jan 30, 2016 09:58 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Paula. I worked in an office where we discussed and implemented this years ago. Unfortuneately once in need no one remembered.

Jan 30, 2016 10:31 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Makes sense to me....I know if I were an agent I would feel safer knowing the office had such a system in place.

Jan 30, 2016 11:09 PM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

I always tell new clients that my partner (male) will be joining us, running late etc. I also make sure I have someone who knows when I've met someone new, where and that I've left them safe. 

Jan 31, 2016 01:06 AM
Cindy Edwards
RE/MAX Checkmate - Johnson City, TN
CRS, GRI, PMN - Northeast Tennessee 423-677-6677

Great idea!!!!  I will have to implement this.

Jan 31, 2016 05:56 AM
Anna Hatridge
R Gilliam Real Estate LLC - Farmington, MO
Missouri Realtor with R Gilliam Real Estate LLC

You are so right about the importance of having a plan in place.  At our office, we practice calling in once a month just to make sure we all remember the importance of looking out for each other.  Deb Goodson makes sure we practice safety first then business.  

Jan 31, 2016 11:34 AM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Paula McDonald - this is so important - specially for safety of the agent in the office. Like the idea - excellent one.

And as far as I know, our office does not have coded signal.

Jan 31, 2016 03:53 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Paula, we have a panic button around the corner from our alarm system. You have to know the password, which took me years to ask! We women are often here by ourselves, and have lots of walk-ins (and yes, some real weirdos occasionally). 

Great post!

Feb 05, 2016 07:06 AM