Photo credit: The Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS®
September is REALTOR® Safety Month, and there’s no better time than now to talk about safety in our industry. Autumn is often a busy season for REALTORS®, and like all people, when we’re busy, we can forget details, or simply skip over them.
So we thought it might be good to review our top 7 safety tips for REALTORS®, so let us know your top safety tips and how they have helped you!
1. Have a Buddy System When Showing a Home
When you’re showing a property, make sure that somebody knows that you will be there, when you’ll be there, and for how long you expect to be there. Some REALTORS® like to call that person when they finish, but I’ve also read about people using Google Calendar and text message confirmations.
2. Have a Screening Tool for New Buyers and Prospects
Does your office have a way to screen new home buyers eager to view your listings? Check-in policies are great ways to reduce risk and by using prospect identification forms and records, you retain copies of all new buyers’ licenses.
3. Have a Code for Alerting without Drawing Attention
In the case you do encounter a situation, you might determine there’s a problem, but calling 911 isn’t an option. Using a code phrase you can call or text to your office or buddy could give alert them without you revealing that your’re making a distress call.
“Hey, Shawna, it’s Marilyn here at 1402 103rd Ave. Could you email me REAGAN’S FILE?”
They might not look like this, but their behaviour might stand out if you’re alert and have safety measures.
4. When You Show Up to Your Listing, Take 10
Ten seconds can make all the difference when it comes to safety. As you arrive at the location, take ten seconds to look around and scope things out. You’ll catch anything unusual, and you can eye out escape routes. Most nefarious people are opportunists, so if you’ve got a plan, it could be enough to deter them.
5. Be First to Arrive, but Last to Enter
Why is it that in the movies the REALTOR® is always leading the viewers through rooms? I’ve always read that the safest way through the door is by going last, not first, especially if it’s new customers or clients. What do you think?
6. Show Homes in the Daylight
Daylight will always be safer, but we know that not everyone can avoid showing homes at night. When you do, show up early and turn on all the lights, and open every blind and curtain. Most importantly, if it’s new buyers and you’re showing at night, follow rules 1 through 6.
7. Find Your Own Way
When you go to showings, use your own transportation. Park your vehicle in a clear and obvious part of the street in front of your listing. Don’t park in the driveway. That’s an easy way to get it blocked in.
8. Keep Your Phone Charged
This might sound obvious, but the last time I had a break down in my car, I was leaving work, and I didn’t have a well-charged phone. I have a charger in my car… There is no reason why I did it, I was just too busy to pay attention to my dying phone. Not having a working phone in an emergency can be very problematic, and it’s completely preventable. Keep your phone charged and keep a charger in your car. I learned my lesson.
9. Try to Keep Your Personal Information Offline
We know that in the world of web and social, this is nearly impossible to do 100%. You can’t keep your cell phone number private, but you can try to avoid broadcasting your address on an agent website. You can also keep your travel information and vacation plans private. Just wait until the vacay is over before you post them online. The metadata from your photos can give you away.
10. Keep Your Desk Clear of Personal Info
It amazes me how many people leave sensitive information on the tops of their desks, even after leaving the office. This is one that I think everyone’s been guilty of at least once. Most of us have locking drawers, so it’s easily done. But when things get busy, we can get neglectful.
The team at Redman Tech wants to wish you a successful and safe autumn. It’s a busy time of year in our industry, so it pays for all of us to take a little time to be careful and plan—so that you can focus on being successful.
We know that this is just 10 of the limitless little things that help REALTORS® stay safe. We’d love to know what you do, so leave a comment below!
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