Safety Tips For REALTORS®
Lock Your Vehicle When Not Driving
When showing homes, I prefer locking my vehicle at each stop. Although not in a high crime area, there maybe things in the vehicle that provide targets of opportunity for some wayward soul. Things like GPS device, tablet or computers. In addition, there could be work product 
other transactions which should be stored in the trunk or a locked compartment in an SUV or pick up.
KEYS
When on a showing, do not loose physical contact with your vehicle keys. That key is your ticket away from the scene should a quick exit be necessary. You may not be familiar with the house and forget where you placed your keys. Keep them with you. If your vehicle has an electronic key, you may be able to activate the panic button, should that become necessary. Keys fit in pants or jacket pocket for me.
I recommend keeping the house key in your possession too. Early in my real estate career on a showing, my client and I went out back and the back door locked behind us as we left the house. Had I not keep possession of the key, we would have been stuck until the home owner or listing agent could be found to let us back in. That would have ruined the rest of the showings and been very embarrassing. House key always in the hand until it's time to lock up.
PHONE
I like to keep possession of my cell phone on showings too. I guess you are seeing the trend. If separated from your phone, you are without a lifeline. My phone can fit in my pocket or holder on my belt.
PARKING
I prefer to park on the same side of the street as the home being shown, with one exception. If the home is on a cul-de-sac or dead end street, I like to park so I'm headed outbound without the need to turn around.
There are lots of things on our mind when we are out meeting the public. The current showings, other things that need to be done now and in the future, but remember we have to take care of the current situation first. Add your best safety tip for REALTORS®.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties - Katy, TX
Your Katy TX ( West of Houston) Real Estate Expert
Wayne,
Excellent safety tips in your post and thanks. I will suggest as it is wat too easy to let your guard down. Safety first should be what we all follow.
Jul 11, 2014 07:11 AM
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate
Hi Wayne, I am always aware of my surroundings and do keep the keys, phone, etc right with me, and always lock my car!
Jul 11, 2014 12:31 PM
Kwee Huset Realty - Venice, FL
Venice Florida Homes For Sale
Hi Wayne, great safety advice for REALTORS® including all drivers. In our area if your car park on the wrong side/direction of the road the cop can issue a ticket.
Jul 12, 2014 01:06 PM
Richmond, TX
Wayne ,
Good tips, I always want my cell phone close by no matter where I am as you say it is a lifeline. Thanks for the tips! I learned a couple!
Jul 13, 2014 04:33 AM
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, EXP - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671
Good tips Wayne, we use that cul de sac parking rule in the woods too. Always best to get turned around on those backroads in the morning rather than tturning around and possibly getting stuck at the end of the day.
Jul 15, 2014 03:32 AM
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale
Adrian-Yes, all of those were from my experience.
Toni-I remember one of the safety slogans from my days with the Bell tele system, 'no job is so important and no service is so urgent that we cannot take time to perform our work safely.'
Bob-Safety first.
Rebecca-You are on top of things.
Kwee-Parking in residential areas is not that strictly enforced here.
Jul 15, 2014 09:14 AM
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale
Yolanda-Luckily the phones are small enough to slip in a pocket even if you don't wear a holder.
Bob-That is a good plan. I'm guessing you may not have cell coverage in some of the remote areas you and your team cover.
Jul 15, 2014 09:18 AM
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time
Wayne, great reminders and I ALWAYS lock my car, and carry the key to the home with me. I too have been locked out.
Jul 15, 2014 10:37 PM
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info
Good tips. Be careful of yourself and those documents on board. I too always lock my car and never leave the keys in the car while it's sitting in the driveway.
Jul 16, 2014 02:57 PM
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time
Wayne, this was a great reminder to all of us with tips to keep us safe - suggested.
Jul 16, 2014 10:53 PM
Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty - San Jose, CA
Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years
Those are all good safety tips for people in real estate to keep in mind.
Jul 21, 2014 02:31 PM
Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA
(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning
Hi Wayne,
This is a very important post for all of us; men and women both. Thanks so much for posting this. Suggested!
Jul 21, 2014 03:01 PM
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC
Wayne
Thanks for sharing the tip . . . . your right on point.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
Jul 22, 2014 03:28 AM
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!
Hello Wayne,
You are and I are on the same page with these safety trips...I do the same things!
Jul 22, 2014 10:55 AM
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917
All these reminders are very important Wayne. We can't rush and forget. If you do not follow your suggestions it will happen.
Great post.
Jul 22, 2014 12:49 PM
R Gilliam Real Estate LLC - Farmington, MO
Missouri Realtor with R Gilliam Real Estate LLC
Wayne, excellent safety tips. Since the area I work is often rural, I also make sure when parking that I am the car that can get out first. I park so I am not blocked by any other vehicles. I am usually first to arrive, but last to exit the car that way I can turn around or move if necessary to accommodate multiple vehicles.
Jul 24, 2014 12:25 AM
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives
Good tips Wayne. We are so focused on the job, it's foolish to think others don't have their eyes on us!
Jul 24, 2014 09:57 PM
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN
Hi Wayne, great information to know, because we need to be reminded sometimes, otherwise it may be too late.
Jul 29, 2014 12:06 AM
RVA Home Team - Richmond, VA
RVA Home Team - Winning with Integrity.
These are some good tips. I always keep my keys with me as they can also be a weapon if ever put in a bad situation. I also make sure the clients walk in front of me at all times. They go up the stairs first and I follow them up and down.
Jul 30, 2014 11:30 PM
Compass - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate
Good Morning Wayne, this is an excellent post and often times I have similar thoughts when in a vacant home. I want to make sure I have my phone and my keys close or in pocket!
Sep 01, 2014 01:58 AM
Rainmaker
737,045
737,045
Wayne Johnson
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale
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