- Article by Tim Houghten -
ing property. Today, simply Googling prospects or
hitting the most popular social media networks can
reveal a lot about prospects too.
3. USE FORMS TO STAY ORGANIZED
It’s too easy for industry professionals to become
complacent about this issue or to fail because
systems are fragmented. BirminghamRealtors.com
offers downloadable PDF Agent ID, Prospect ID, and
Agent Safety Itinerary forms to beat these challenges.
4. LIMIT ACCESS AND INTERACTION
Those lacking the bandwidth to ensure their personal
safety when showing property or sitting open houses
can opt for reducing risk by limiting time alone with
prospects. This could mean installing keyless locks
and allowing prospective renters and buyers to show
themselves around. Or perhaps limiting viewings to
a one-time event, invite-only events or broker-only
opens. Or, there is now always the possibility of virtual open houses via Skype or Google Hangouts.
5. SAFER SHOWING STRATEGY
Veterans United Home Loans advises not to ride
with strangers in your car. Let them meet you there.
Don’t show the way and have possible assailants
behind you; let them go first instead. Keep showings
during day light hours. Make sure you pull into the
drive last so you aren’t blocked in.
6. USE THE BUDDY SYSTEM
Let someone know where you’ll be. Let a partner
know who you are showing to, and where, and have
them call you to check in with you. Certainly there
has to be someone that would appreciate you doing
the same for them. You may even want to tag team
showings together.
7. CONDUCT SOME RECONNAISSANCE
Getting to know a listing in advance of showing can
be a big help. Recognize if windows or exterior lighting has been tampered with. Know your exit routes.
Ensure there is reliable mobile service so that you
can reach out in an emergency. Don’t have the
SWAT team raiding your open house just because
your signal was weak and your buddy couldn’t get in
touch.
8. DON’T LOOK LIKE A VICTIM
Conducting yourself with confidence can help prevent becoming the victim of an opportunist crime,
just because you looked like an easy target. PersonRealty411Guide.com
In 2014 NAR reported that over
25% of REALTORS® said they
had encountered a threatening
or harassing situation at work.
al security and identity theft expert Robert Siciliano
suggests via his blog that wearing expensive jewelry
can just make it too tempting for criminal not to attack, even when it is risky for them. This also certainly carries over to personal social media use and
conduct when off the clock. Being a little too open
and flamboyant may make you a mark. Pulling up to
showings in an armored vehicle might go a long way
to scare off any would-be muggers or assassins too.
9. FLEX YOUR TECH
Today’s smartphones and tablets can also double as
great security tools. The Field Guide to REALTOR®
Safety recommends using distress codes to communicate with other team members. Just don’t make it
too obvious. Apps like Guardly can reportedly launch
GPS tracking, and connect to law enforcement or
colleagues with a tap of a screen. Then there are
apps like Salient Eye, which can turn your Android
or iPhone into a security camera and even set off
motion-triggered alarms. Via Facebook Ray Perry, a
REALTOR® at CPS Country Air in Santa Rosa has
suggested, “Why not the real thing? An app called
Glock works well, of course with a concealed carry
permit.”
10. UPGRADE YOUR PERSONAL SELFDEFENSE CAPABILITIES
While packing a firearm or being known for carrying
a new Galil or ‘Mutant AK47’ in your trunk might be a
deterrent, it isn’t always the answer. It could also >
Continued on pg. 92
PAGE 87 • 2016
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