Real Estate Agent Safety Do’s & Don’ts
September 20, 2018
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.