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REALTOR® Safety- It Can Happen to You
Joan Malone, a Realtor® in Dallas, Texas was showing property to a man posing as a buyer. At the second home she showed him, the man punched Joan in the jaw, broke her back, attempted sexual assault, choked her until she lost consciousness and stabbed her several times, including slitting her neck. He then stole Joan’s car to make his escape, leaving Joan to die. She was able to drag herself to a telephone and call 911. She was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Luckily, Joan survived her attack.
Think it can’t happen to you? Think again. Realtor® safety is an issue that often gets overlooked in today’s fast-paced real estate market. Yet a June 2003 survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors® shows that over half (67%) of real estate agents surveyed experienced safety concerns, incidents or other harassing situations while working as a Realtor®. Real estate can be a dangerous business. Ask several of your fellow associates who have been in the business for a while and I bet they have had at least one situation where they felt threatened or that something just didn’t “feel right.”
What can you do about your safety as a Realtor®? According to the Toolkit on Safety published by Realtor® Magazine Online, there are several things you can do to protect yourself or reduce the risks.
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Keep a charged cell phone with you at all times. Tell someone in your office where you are going and call your office every hour to let them know your status.
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Be careful how you dress. Flashy or expensive jewelry might attract the wrong kind of attention.
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Don’t put your home phone number on your business card. Buy a voice pager or use your cell phone for out-of-office contact.
- Never advertise a property as vacant.
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Always take your own car for showings. If you must take one car, you drive. When you leave your car, lock it and keep your keys with you at all times.
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Let potential buyers take the lead when exploring a home, with you following behind. Avoid going into a basement or confined areas with a prospect.
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Always have prospects meet you at your office the first time. Ask them for identification. If they question you about it, say it is company policy.
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Find out as much as you can about prospects, such as where they work and what they do. Ask lots of questions and be a good listener.
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Know your sales area. Preview the property.
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Trust your instincts. If you’re suspicious, it’s better to walk away from a listing or a showing.
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