{"id":4955,"date":"2012-11-21T12:30:38","date_gmt":"2012-11-21T19:30:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rmlsweb.wordpress.com\/?p=4955"},"modified":"2012-11-21T12:30:38","modified_gmt":"2012-11-21T19:30:38","slug":"realtor-safety-series-personal-safety-in-the-field","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rmlscentral.com\/v1\/2012\/11\/21\/realtor-safety-series-personal-safety-in-the-field\/","title":{"rendered":"REALTOR\u00ae Safety Series: Personal Safety in the Field"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Real estate is a very personal business.\u00a0You\u2019re not selling people a blender or a car.\u00a0You are helping your clients navigate their purchase or sale of property, potentially one of the most stressful times in\u00a0their\u00a0life.\u00a0As such, every phone call, every inquiry is a new opportunity to make that personal contact and foster business.<\/p>\n

We are coming out of an unprecedented and volatile chapter of real estate history.\u00a0Among all the well-intentioned buyers and sellers out there, there still remain people looking to take advantage of a real estate professional for no reason other than the fact that they saw your name and phone number on a billboard, a yard sign, or a website. It\u2019s an occupational hazard, and you should be prepared always to protect you and yours.<\/p>\n

Over the next few weeks we will be highlighting some of the many safety concerns impacting REALTORS\u00ae<\/sup> today and heighten our subscribers’ awareness. The first is, perhaps, the most important. Money and personal effects can be replaced; you<\/em>, however, cannot.<\/p>\n

Crude, Lewd, and Rude<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

You\u2019ve heard it probably from a colleague before. Crank callers and lewd suggestions on the other end of the phone line at 2am in the morning often lead to nothing other than lost sleep for the recipient. But this can easily escalate into harassment. If this does<\/em> become the case, keep a log of the times and number of calls and the nature of these calls.\u00a0Be sure to keep all text messages to forward to law enforcement.\u00a0They will have other instructions and suggestions when you contact them.<\/p>\n

Luring to a Vacant Property or Meeting Alone<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Never meet a new client alone.\u00a0<\/em>“Stranger danger” doesn\u2019t go away after you trade in your short pants.\u00a0At RMLS\u2122, we have received calls from agents who have corresponded with individuals who become irate and even threatening when the agent refuses to meet the \u201cclient\u201d alone.\u00a0Red flag. A true prospective client will not have a problem following your office\u2019s policy of meeting in the office or a public place like a caf\u00e9 or restaurant. Also, be wary of people asking overtly personal questions, asking to work specifically with a particular type of person.\u00a0There have been reports of people requesting to work with only female agents alone, for example.<\/p>\n

Robbery During a Showing or Open House<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

It happens.\u00a0Usually this happens when it\u2019s a slow day and there are no others in the house.\u00a0If that is the case, give them your wallet.\u00a0Never confront your assailant.\u00a0They are unpredictable, and, therefore, very dangerous, if cornered. Usually, they will push you or anything blocking their way to escape, but consider the alternative. Let\u2019s not…just give them the wallet.<\/p>\n

Other Ideas<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Always be aware of your surroundings, and always trust your instincts and intuition.<\/p>\n