In a profession that has you meeting with strangers and venturing out into people’s homes and properties, personal safety must be at the forefront of every agent’s mind. After several incidents involving real estate agents that unfortunately ended in tragedy, keeping yourself safe is more important than ever. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has designated September as Real Estate Safety Month to raise awareness and inform agents about the risks involved in their profession. To help inform agents, we’ve compiled a list of tips to keep yourself safe.
Meet New Clients in Public
Meeting at the client’s home might seem convenient because it allows you to meet the client(s) and view their home, but it isn’t the best option regarding safety. Opt for meeting in the office or public, like a coffee shop or co-working space. When you meet with a client for the first time, take a photo of their ID for your records and have them complete a personal identification form. Most people have an online presence. Take the time to research your clients on Facebook, LinkedIn, or whatever social media platform you can find their accounts on. This helps you get a sense of their appearance, and a quick Google search of their names can reveal any potential red flags.
Always Let Someone Know your Whereabouts
Real estate agents are always coming and going and often have a busy schedule that can change at a moment’s notice. Before heading out to a meeting, let a coworker, family member, or friend know where you will be and who you’re with. Similarly, you can be proactive by creating a shareable calendar, like Google’s G-Suite offers. If needed, anyone added to the calendar can keep track of your whereabouts and the meeting length. Alternatively, consider downloading the “Find My Friends” app and sharing your location with someone you trust 100%.
Research Your Meeting Location
Are you meeting in a busy condo building downtown? Or on a rural farm where the closest neighbor is a kilometer away? Either way, do some research on your meeting spot and familiarize yourself with its location. Whether you’re showing a person an apartment or a house, familiarize yourself with entry and exit points, parking, and proximity to others.
Stick With Daytime Showings for New Clients
Daytime is the optimal time to show houses, especially during regular business hours. However, this might not always be possible with your client’s schedules. If you’re meeting in the evening, keep all the curtains and blinds open and the lights on. If the client insists on a viewing later at night, ask a colleague or friend to accompany you or ensure someone knows where you are. And before you leave a home, make sure it’s empty and all clients have vacated before locking up.
Vacant = Vandalism
Listing a property as vacant increases the chances for criminals and trespassers to come to visit or stay. Always show vacant properties during daylight hours; before entering, check for signs that show if someone broke in or is currently inside. Always enter and show vacant property with caution.
Protect Your Personal Information
Don’t use your private phone number for business, and never put your home address on marketing materials. Clients and the general public do not need to know where you live and do not need to contact you outside of business hours. Consider making your personal social media accounts private and only post updates on your professional account after you’ve left a location.
Use a Personal Safety Alarm
A personal alarm is great to carry in busy areas, where the neighbors or people around will hear it. They’re often disguised as cute little keychains, and will get everyone’s attention when the alarm is sounded.
A great alternative is panic button apps. Most usually have a safety alarm that will blare as loud as possible. Still, they can also alert emergency services, give them your location, and text a designated recipient to let them know you’re in danger. Tapping a button is more accessible than trying to type out a whole message, especially if you’re in an unstable situation.
Trust Your Gut
If a client is acting oddly or erratically, brings an unexpected guest, or gives you a bad vibe, do not hesitate to cancel or delay the appointment. The same goes for showings. If you think something might be wrong with the property, like it’s unlocked or open or shows signs that someone is inside that isn’t supposed to be there, back away.
Have a good excuse to leave an appointment or show up, like you have another scheduled appointment, and always trust your gut if something feels wrong. No commission is worth potentially getting harmed.
Are you looking to enter the real estate market this fall? Give us a call today! One of the experienced agents at Zoocasa will be more than happy to help you through the exciting home-buying process!
