Hello Fellow Real Estate Agents,
I figure I might start this blog in the form of a letter. This will show the urgency and give it some credibility to the importance of the topic to real estate agents. As a member of my local education committee board, my task was to locate a safety video and questions that we should ask when first meeting a new client.
Image by Americantrustescrow.com
I found many videos that showed the importance of safety protocol. However, the following stood out. NAR created it. It is short to the point, and it covers many of the precautions that we should practice in our daily life. September is realtor safety month. It is merely a time for all of us to reflect on safety precautions. However, we should practice on a daily basis. From the time we first learned to crawl, we have been told not to talk to strangers or go into a car with strangers. Our profession is one of the riskiest business, where we are constantly dealing with total strangers and meeting clients at all hours of the day and night. Precaution is not only a protocol but essential for our safety.
Recently, on July 19th, a creepy shed was discovered in Abilene with local realtors headshots. Police were dispatched to the home. However, the resident was not charged as no crime has yet to be committed. So fellow Realtors; take precaution, follow your brokerage safety protocol.
The four most dangerous and riskiest situations for any agent is when one meets a client at a vacant home, when one must show a property alone, meeting a client alone for the first time and during open houses. However, isn't this the bulk part of our daily activity? Be prepared, alert and follow your 6th sense. Your life might depend on it.
I came across 4 essential forms that all brokerage should utilize:
1. Office safety action plan - Set up an emergency or distress code that all agents can use when they feel they are in a distress situation.
2. Agent Identification form - Fill out the form in case your coworkers need to locate you or your car.
3. Prospect Identification form - Essential to meet clients at your office and have the form filled out.
4. Agent Itinerary form - I know our itinerary is always changing. However, this form might be our life vest during a distress situation.
Be Safe out there my fellow real estate agents.
Your,
Co-worker
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