Buyer and Realtor Safety in the Snow

Buyer and Realtor Safety in the Snow

With all the recent snow, it is a great time to look over how to make safety a priority for Realtors and buyers alike. When planning to take your buyer out, consider the weather and area carefully. Realtors should ask: What route will I take? Am I heading into an area that is tricky to navigate? Will there be parking nearby? Am I heading into the mountains? Do I want to travel after it gets dark? This shows a buyer that Realtors are concerned for their safety.

Realtors need to make sure insurance, tags, and maintenance is up to date. Tires need to be in good shape too.  If you answered yes to the mountain question, will you need chains or a shovel? Invest in good windshield wipers, a window scraper, and an emergency safety kit.  You can buy the most basic safety kit, but I recommend putting your own together. Part of being a Realtor is knowing what you or your buyer may need. It can even be more cost effective. Here is what I have in my winter kit:

• Water
• Food
• Jumper Cables and maintenance kit
• Snow Shovel
• Extra warm clothes, including gloves and hats.
• Flashlight
• Ice Melt
• Emergency Blanket
• Hand-warmers
• First Aid Kit

Many Realtors may already have something similar, which is excellent! Check your kit every few months to replace any items needed. Safety preparedness encompasses both the inside and outside of your car. Are all your lights working? Did you wipe off all of the snow? Did you warm up your car before heading out? Did you kick off the ice in your wheel well? Safety often starts with prevention. Buyers also notice these things too!

Most buyers will dress appropriately for the weather, but in the case a buyer can not or the weather came in unexpectedly, go the extra snowy mile for them. Hand your buyer a hat and gloves! (Maybe a warm coffee or tea too?) Will there be ice or thick snow? Great sellers will shovel for potential buyers and their Realtors, but if they can not, take the path first or create a way for them. When you are inside, make sure to wipe off shoes or take them off completely; you don’t want a buyer falling in a home.

These simple suggestions can keep both buyers and Realtors safe in snowy weather. However, the number one way to avoid all potential safety hazards for both Realtors and buyers is: reschedule!!