Real Estate Agent Safety Do’s & Don’ts
September 20, 2018
Sometimes, our best tool is our natural instinct. We encourage all real estate agents to employ that natural instinct at all times and never let your guard down. You have a fun and often lucrative career path but like any job it doesn’t come without risks. It’s REALTOR® Safety Month, so keep these do’s and don’ts in mind as you show homes and build your amazing career!
DO…
- Let your office staff know where you are at all times; if you’re an independent rep, let a friend, spouse or relative know your exact whereabouts
- Have a first meeting and capture buyer information prior to scheduling private showings
- Hold a commanding and confident presence; give a firm handshake and look buyers straight in the eye
- Arrive at private showings early to unlock all exit doors and maybe a few windows; assess the lay of the land, both in the home and the neighborhood
- Introduce yourself to the neighbors and let them know when you’ll be showing the home
- Keep the buyer in your line of sight at all times; hold the door open and let them walk ahead upon entering the home (the only exception is to exit the home first)
- Learn self-defense and use everyday items like a metal flashlight or keys as weapons
- Leave your purse and other valuable non-essentials locked out of sight in your vehicle
What you don’t want to do is any of the following. Make a pact with yourself to make this list nonnegotiable!
DON’T…
- Let buyers think you work alone
- Make yourself look financially attractive in photos or in person (ditch the expensive jewelry and watches, for example)
- Give out your personal contact information
- Park in the driveway as this puts you at risk of getting blocked in
- Accompany potential buyers into a basement with no walkout (or other confined spaces)
- Let your guard down
- Overlook technology as an ally (more information below)
There are many apps out there with agent safety features, such as SentriLock’s SentriSmart™ app. Also, your smartphone has locators built in be sure to have those turned on and keep your phone accessible. If you have a smartwatch, get familiar with its emergency 911 shortcuts.
There are numerous ways to be proactive as a real estate agent but we want to iterate that your instincts are not to be ignored. For more information, contact the National Association of Realtors for useful tips and updates.