Spring, Sales and Safety!

As Realtors, our job is to help clients buy and sell homes. However, it's important to remember that your safety should always come first. Meeting strangers, entering unknown properties, and working alone can put you at risk. Here are some tips to keep yourself safe while on the job.

When entering a property, be sure to announce yourself loudly and clearly. Knock on the door and state your name and that you are a Realtor. This will alert anyone inside the home of your presence and may deter anyone who shouldn't be there.

Confession (example): I called and set up a showing on a home that they said didn’t have a lockbox, the seller would leave it unlocked and we could go on in. I was a minute or two early so I opened the door and went on in…..all the way to the kitchen only to be met by a nice woman asking what I was doing in her home. NOT the right house. Yes the addition of E in the address does matter. Good thing this was a small town and the homeowner was gracious/understanding or this could’ve been a very nasty situation, and not just embarrassing. This could’ve been avoided had I yelled “Realtor” like I do (most of the time).

Use Forewarn to validate contact information. We have it, so let’s use it! It provides real-time data that can help you identify potential red flags, such as a history of criminal activity or a fake identity. Using Forewarn can give you more confidence when meeting new clients.

It's always a good idea to take someone with you when meeting a client for the first time, even if they wait in the car for you. This can provide an extra level of safety and help you feel more comfortable. If you can't bring someone with you, make sure someone knows where you are and who you are meeting. Take a picture of their license plate when you get there. It’s not weird if you let them know ahead that your brokerage “requires” it.

When holding an open house, make sure you have a plan in case of an emergency. Know where all the exits are and have a way to quickly contact emergency services if needed. It's also a good idea to limit the number of people in the home at once and to ask for identification from anyone you don't know.

If you show up at a home for a showing and there is another agent there, don't be offended if they ask for your identification. This is a common safety measure in the industry and can help prevent any potential harm.

Remember, it's better to be safe than sorry!