Safety Tips

Whether you consider selling or buying a property, safety should always be a primary consideration.  Personal and property safety should be part of your planning process before marketing, showing or selling.  Some experts have developed safety hints to protect you when working with a potential buyer and hints to secure the property.  These hints are in two categories for your convenience.  Please review them as a guide to start thinking about safety when you decide to market a property.

PERSONAL SAFETY TIPS

Real estate agents and Sellers meet new people daily and often within the line of their daily activities, show properties, frequently alone.  There have been many articles written on how to protect yourself in these situations and there are recurrent personal safety themes.  Here are some of the most common precautions to consider:

1. Suggest to the potential buyers to meet in an office, coffee shop, printing store (sometimes they rent office cubicles) first. If possible have someone else with you for the initial meeting.  Ask to see some kind of identification like a driver’s license and make a note or copy of the license number (for your database or contact list).  Drive your own car to any appointments.
2. Let someone know your schedule and appointments and when you are meeting a client and an anticipated meeting and finish times.  Set a plan for follow-up if you do not call or respond to a phone call.
3. Be sure your cell phone battery is charged and keep it with you at all times.  Program an office or contact number into the phone as well as a 911 for emergencies.
4. Don’t let people know that you are alone especially if you are showing an open house.  Always refer to “my colleague, the owners, etc.” are coming soon.  Have a contact call or text you frequently. 
5. Establish a couple of codes for your contact point person.  One might be for “I am concerned or uncomfortable send someone over”. Another can be for “I am in trouble, call the police”.
6. Don’t advertise that the property is vacant.
7. Establish an escape route when you first arrive to a property.  Always let your client or prospective buyers enter a room first.
8. Dress appropriately and don’t wear expensive jewelry.
9. Keep your personal information—personal.  Don’t volunteer any information that you wouldn’t feel comfortable giving to a stranger.  With technology today, even snippets of personal information can be searched.  Keep your relationships and contacts professional.
10. Consider taking a self-defense course.  They are often offered by police departments or community colleges.

PROPERTY SAFETY TIPS

Property safety is important not only because no one wants to go through the heartache of losing their personal possessions but it is especially important when you decide to sell or show a property.  Here are some tips you might find helpful:

1. Make your property look “lived in”.  If you are photographing rooms or making a video, consider “staging” the rooms.  Staged rooms help potential buyers identify with the purpose of the room. For additional information on “Staging Property” see the RealeFlix® Homepage.
2. Leave lights on, doors and windows locked, lawn mowed, garbage picked up, etc.  Stop delivery of mail and newspapers if you are not occupying the property.
3. Don’t leave notes on your door like “Be right back”, “Get the key next door”, etc. Don’t leave any signs that the property is vacant or unoccupied.
4. Never leave keys in “a secret spot”.  Burglars know to look under doormats, flowerpots, mailboxes, etc.  Don’t tell or show any stranger how to access your home.
5. Video or take pictures of your home inventory. Write a description of the items, serial numbers, purchase dates and cost.  Keep this inventory in a safe place so you can have it for insurance claims or documentation of ownership.
6. Engrave your valuables with your driver’s license number.  Most police departments have engravers they will rent or let you use.
7. Trim the shrubbery and landscaping around the home so people would have difficulty hiding.
8. Alerts your neighbors if you are having an open house.  Be a good neighbor and report any suspicious activity to the police.

For further information on personal or property safety, contact your local police department, real estate broker’s office, insurance agency or professional organizations.

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