Lori Bowers posted a blog about real estate agents being safe and wanted to know what other agents do to stay safe. My comments have turned into this blog post. Here are some of the things that we do at our Keller Williams office in Spartanburg, South Carolina:

The first thing we try to do is have the prospect to meet us at the office.

We always make sure that someone knows where we are going.

We have a code word in case things should go bad.

We try to go in pairs.

Try to arrive after the prospect, park behind them and call the office or a buddy with the make, model and tag number of the car, you can fumble around with your papers while you are doing this.

If possible, have the seller to hang around.

Always let the prospect walk infront of you ~ never behind you.

Always wear shoes that you could run in ~ if you have to.

Always carry a large flashlight with you, I recommend the black Maglight. If necessary you could hit an attacked with it ~ then run like heck!

Never wear flashy jewelry or anything around your neck that could be used to strangle you.

Refuse to show the house.

When you are doing an Open House only have one door unlocked. Try to keep up with how many people are in the house, especially of the house is more than one level.

Always listen to your inner voice ~ if something does not feel right ~ make an excuse and get out. Trust your instincts.

Hope this helps, Hopefully none of us will never have anything bad or scary happen to us ~ however ~ it always pays to be prepared.

Let me clarify that this is only when you have a situation where you are called upon to meet a potential buyer, that you have never met before, at a house. This is especially important if the house is vacant.