Top 10 Real Estate Agent Safety Tips - really?
1. Careful with personal info - really? which? whose?
We're going to have to break this down into the information that you get from customers/clients; and best practices for entry into MLS, and your own personal info.
2. Verify customer information - will a driver's licence do?
OK, show me something that you actually own this house - make sure the address on the licence is the same as the house. Great - is there a hydro bill I can see too?
3. Enlist a coworker - how? to do what?
How about you write down where you are going, who you are going to meet, their contact info, and what time you are expected back - and email it to someone?
4. Announce your showings - to who? how?
What if it's your own? Sure you tell the listing agent. But do you remember to tell them if you aren't going to show up? Just 'coz he says he's coming with his wife, doesn't mean he actually will. What then? Do you still go into the apartment/house alone with him? Depends.
5. Scout locations early - time spent on recce is seldom wasted (army mantra)
This is probably more about physical safety - watch out for things to whack yourself or clients with - or wiring, or lights that don't work, or mold, or loose or broken floorboards. For goodness sakes - please don't break the window trying to open it for fresh air.
6. Keep phone in hand - yeah? what are you going to do with it?
Tell someone that you will check in after 10 minutes when the showing starts, or have the phone set to an alarm sound - really loud. He's not going to wait for you to swipe your cellphone to dial and finish calling 9-1-1.
7. Keep customer in sight - probably in more ways than one.
You don't have to lead them around - let them walk in front (this is why you need to scout out the property first, so you know if there are pitfalls) and your voice carries ahead anyway, less need to keep turning around to talk and risk walking into something. No need to walk directly past a small closed room or closet - the client can easily look at those for them-self.
8. Pay attention to exits - know how you are going to get away if you need to and they are between you and the door. Obviously jumping out of a 3rd floor window isn't going to be good either. Maybe get to the patio and start screaming for help. Oh yes, leave them an exit. Don't corner them - people get aggressive when they're cornered.
9. Take a self-defense class - well, yes, but use yours words first ("what will your wife, GF, family think?") obviously, but be careful - it is a closed area. Start with a kick - it's impersonal, and your legs are stronger than your arms, and anything you can hit will hurt lots (shins, knees, genitals). Don't bother with arms - just start kicking.
You will likely not be able to out-wrestle them. They've already thought about how to subdue you. They are not expecting to get a sharp kick.
If they fall down, don't keep kicking. Turn around and run. Start yelling "help" or "fire". If you keep kicking in the area, they might just grab your legs and now you are on the ground - bad.
10. Trust your gut - easier said than done. Best not to get into the situation, true. But know what you are going to do if you suddenly find yourself in one. "oh, let's reschedule when your wife is free to come", "oh, let me make a call to update the office - it's just a safety thing".
Source: House Hunt Network, (House Hunt, June 17, 2014).
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