Safety FIRST
when Showing
REAL ESTATE
Safety at real estate showings
and open houses has become a
top priority in 2016. So just how
critical has it become, and what
are some of the most effective
tactics for smart self-defense on
the real estate field?
Real Estate is DANGEROUS BUSINESS
T
he threat to the personal safety of real estate agents, brokers and investors has become of paramount concern in the industry.
Data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in September revealed that the vast majority of
on-the-job fatalities can be tied to real estate-related
work or activities real estate professionals engage in
every day. This includes auto accidents, construction
incidents, animal attacks and homicides while showing properties or on property management rounds.
It’s not just the number of attacks and real estate
workplace deaths and injuries, but the statements of
malicious attackers out to do “rich brokers” harm. In
2014 NAR reported that over 25% of REALTORS®
said they had encountered a threatening or harassing situation at work.
So with such high odds of REALTORS®, investors, and property managers encountering physical
attacks when showing houses and sitting at open
houses what strategies and tactics can be put into
play to stay safe?
Realty411Guide.com
10 Tips to Ensure Personal Safety
1. INSTALL SMARTER SYSTEMS
Dan Zito, of the Zito Realty Group – Keller Williams
of Central PA, says, “I think it is important to, as often
as possible, set an appointment to meet clients at the
office prior to going through any homes with them. Not
only does it allow me to meet them in a safe, ‘public’
environment, but it also allows for better customer
service to the client. By meeting them at the office first,
we are able to sit down and discuss their wants, needs,
review homes that are currently on the market and answer financing questions, prior to visiting any homes.”
2. VERIFY THE ID OF PROSPECTIVE BUYERS
It’s far less likely that an agent or investor is going to
be attacked if the prospect knows that their identification is on file. Requesting a copy of driver’s licenses
and keeping records of them is a great first step. The
Birmingham Association of REALTORS®, who released
its own ‘10 Commandments of Agent Safety’ all the
way back in 1988, reportedly takes this even further
by documenting the vehicle information of prospects,
requesting references, and verifying them before show-
PAGE 86 • 2016
reWEALTHmag.com