Being a realtor has many benefits. You have the opportunity to befriend amazing people, frequent incredible landscapes and pieces of architecture, and even help dreams come true. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, though.
Unfortunately, there have been numerous occasions where agents have been attacked, stalked, and even murdered. Stories like this put the risks of meeting with strangers in the spotlight and make you truly evaluate the potential fragility of an agent-client relationship.
To avoid the worst-case scenario and keep yourself safe as a real estate agent, it’s important to be extremely cautious. We’ve compiled a list of tactics that you can apply to your own practice in order to stay as safe as possible. Read on to learn how to stay safe as a realtor.
Pick a Meeting Place
If you’re working with a new client, it’s important that you meet them in a public setting. This will give you an opportunity to evaluate the situation and them in a safe environment. Consider using a coffee shop, your brokerage office, a title company, or another populated place with which you are familiar.
Trust Your Instincts
Meeting in a public place also gives you a chance to listen to your gut feeling. If something seems off, or you are uncomfortable with how things are going, call off any further interaction. This can even include phone calls that occur before a physical meeting.
Remember, it is always better to be overly cautious and safe than sorry. Often times your gut is right, so go with it!
Take Someone with You
There is nothing wrong with playing it safe and bringing someone with you to showings. This could be a coworker, such as a newer agent, or someone that you trust. Having a companion not only discourages any ill-intended actions but also gives you an added layer of security should anything go wrong.
Use GPS
Thanks to technology, you can use certain GPS tools to notify people if you are gone too long. Whether it’s a relative or the authorities, these devices work a bit like the “Find my iPhone” application. If you are silent for an extended period of time, your location can be tracked, and someone can come to help you!
Remember Your Priorities
You don’t need to take on every client that comes your way. If you feel even mildly uncomfortable with a particular person, refer them elsewhere and spend your free time with the people you care about doing the activities you most enjoy. There are bigger things in life than selling real estate; don’t take unnecessary risks that could compromise them!
If you're an agent looking to expand your business or to become a part of an expansion network, we’d love to have a conversation with you! Simply reach out to us to learn more about how our family of agents collaborate.
Comments(0)