Add Your Slogan In The Header

52 Safety Tips for Realtors – Safety is a Year-round Priority

52 Safety Tips for Realtors – Safety is a Year-round Priority

Share these tips with your members every week. You can post them on your Web site, or e-mail them directly to your members.

Feel free to re-arrange the tips if you like. Regardless of when you send them, these weekly tips will help keep the lessons of REALTOR® Safety Week fresh.

All tips are the sum of experienced realtors that brainstormed together to make this profession as safe as possible.

Tip #1
Keep in touch.
Always let someone know where you are going; leave the name and phone number of the client you are meeting and schedule a time for your office to call you to check in.

Tip #2
“After you…”
When showing a home, always have your prospect walk in front of you. Don’t lead them, but rather, direct them from a position slightly behind them. You can gesture for them to go ahead of you and say, for example, “The master suite is in the back of the house.”

Tip #3
Create an office distress code.
Establish a voice distress code, a secret word or phrase that is not commonly used but can be worked into any conversation for cases where you feel that you are in danger. Use this if the person you are with can overhear the conversation, but you don’t want to alarm them. Example: “Hi, this is Jennifer. I’m with Mr. Henderson at the Elm Street listing. Could you e-mail me the RED FILE?”

Tip #4
Protect your clients
Warn your clients that not all agents, buyers and sellers are who they say they are. Strangers who stop by unannounced should be asked to make an appointment with the REALTOR®. Stress that your clients should never to show a home without the presence of an agent.

Tip #5
Hone your REALTOR® safety skills.
Get industry-specific safety training any time, anywhere—with a complete, interactive online REALTOR® safety course, available through REALTOR® University. Visit www.learninglibrary.com/realtoruniversity to learn more.

Tip #6
Lock it up!
Be sure to use the lockbox property-key procedure that has been established to improve real estate agent safety. A reliable, secure lockbox system such as those made by SentriLock (www.sentrilock.com), ensures that keys don’t fall into the wrong hands.

Tip #7
Check cell phone reception.
When you’re showing commercial property, thick walls and/or remote locations may interfere with mobile phone reception. Check in advance to be sure your phone is serviceable in the area in which you are showing the property.

Tip #8
Choose flight over fight.
While every REALTOR® should take a basic self-defense course, the primary goal in any threatening situation is to escape from immediate danger and call for help.

Tip #9
Keep your phone at your fingertips.
Always carry a charged mobile phone. Clip your phone on and make it part of your everyday apparel for immediate accessibility.

Tip #10
Model behavior at model home showings.
When a person comes through the office to view a model home, have them complete a guest register that includes their full name, address, phone number, e-mail, and vehicle information.

Tip #11
Nix the glamour shots!
All of your marketing materials should be polished and professional. Don’t use alluring or provocative photography in advertising, on the Web or on your business cards. There are many documented cases of criminals actually circling photographs of their would-be victims in newspaper advertisements.

Tip #12
Take 2 seconds when you arrive at your destination to check out potential dangers:
• Is there any questionable activity in the area?
• Are you parked in a well-lit, visible location?
• Can you be blocked in the driveway by a prospect’s vehicle?

Tip #13
The key to home security.
The first thing a burglar looks for is a hidden key, and is well acquainted with the hiding places. If you insist on hiding a key, never hide it anywhere near the entrance. More important, never leave a revealing note on the door.

Tip #14
Help clients safeguard their valuables.
Remind clients who are selling that strangers will be walking through their home. Tell them to put any valuables in a secure hiding place. This includes prescription drugs.

Tip #15
Keep car safety in mind.
When you’re alone getting into your car, the first thing you should do is lock the doors. Be observant when approaching your car; look underneath and in the back seat before entering.

Tip #16
Be prepared: pre-program!
To best prepare for an emergency, pre-program important numbers into your cell phone. These may include your office, your roadside assistance service or garage, and even 911.

Tip #17
Don’t get hooked by a “phisher.”
Don’t respond to e-mails requesting personal or private information such as passwords, credit card numbers or bank account numbers. Even if a message appears to be from your bank or a trusted vendor, credible companies never request private information this way.

Tip #18
Never work alone.
If you encounter an individual while working late or alone in your office, indicate to that person that you are not alone. Say something like, “Let me check with my supervisor to see whether she’s able to see you now.”

Tip #19
Too much information!
When talking to clients and prospects, be friendly but still keep your personal information private. This means avoiding mention of where you live, your after-work or vacation plans, and similar details.

Tip #20
Final walk-through at open house.
Don’t assume that everyone has left the premises at the end of an open house. Check all of the rooms and the backyard prior to locking the doors. Be prepared to defend yourself, if necessary.

Tip #21
Shield your computer from e-mail viruses.
Computer viruses can impair and seriously damage your computer. Viruses are often distributed via attachments in e-mail spam. Never open an attachment from someone you don’t know, and, if you receive a strange or impersonal-sounding message from a familiar address, check with that person to make sure that they really sent it.

Tip #22
Practice car safety.
Keep roadside breakdown essentials in the trunk, including flares, a tire-inflation canister, basic hand tools, spare belts and hoses, water, a flashlight and a first-aid kit. Have your vehicle inspected regularly, keep it well maintained and learn how to change a flat tire.

Tip #23
No vacancy.
When describing a listing, never say that a property is “vacant.” This may be an invitation to criminals.

Tip #24
Shop online safely.
When shopping online, check out a Web site before entering your credit card number or other personal information. Enter this information only on secure Web pages with addresses that start with "https" and have a closed padlock symbol at the bottom of the browser window. These are signs that your information will be encrypted or scrambled, protecting it from hackers.

Tip #25
Burglars prefer to work in the dark, so leave porch and garage lights on while you sleep. Also consider installing motion-detector lights if you live in a high-crime area or near a highway. Burglars strike 40 percent more often within three blocks of major thoroughfares, which offer easy escape.

Tip #26
Enlist your clients in safe practices.
Inform clients who are selling that while you are taking safety precautions, and that you've checked and locked the home before leaving, they should immediately double-check all locks and scout for missing items immediately upon their return, in case you've missed any less-than-obvious means of entry.

Tip #27
No cell phones behind the wheel!
If you must use your cell phone while driving, follow this advice for best safety practices: Use a hands-free model so that you can keep your hands on the wheel; learn to operate your phone without looking at it—you should practice this before getting behind the wheel; and don’t dial while driving.

Tip #28
How safe are your locks?
Your home should have deadbolts with full one-inch bolts on all entry doors in addition to existing locksets. Any door with glass panels within three feet of the lock should have a double-cylinder deadbolt, which requires a key on both sides.

Tip #29
Rely on good neighbors.
Inform a neighbor that you will be hosting an open house, and ask if he or she would keep an eye and ear open for anything out of the ordinary.

Tip #30
Commercial after dark.
When showing a vacant commercial site, be aware of the time of day you meet a client. Showing a property at dusk or after dark, with no electricity on in the space you are showing, is not advisable.

Tip #31
Why clean means safe.
Keep your office safe: Ensure all doors other than the main entrance are secured, and all windows are clear so that passersby can see in. Also keep a clear exit route from the service desk to the door.

Tip #33
Sound the alarms.
Consider investing in an alarm system if you don’t already have one. If you do, make sure you have a panic button feature you can easily use in the room you use as an office.

Tip #34
Deal with suspicious e-mails.
Before you act on an e-mail request, check a list of the latest e-mail scams on the Federal Trade Commission’s Web site at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menu-internet.htm.

Tip #35
Take two seconds as you walk towards your destination to check out potential risks.
• Are people coming and going or is the area unusually quiet?
• Do you observe any obstacles or hiding places in the parking lot or along the street?
• Is anyone loitering in the area?

Tip #36
Plan your escape routes.
Upon entering an open house property for the first time, check each room and determine at least two “escape” routes. Make sure all deadbolt locks are unlocked for easy access to the outside.

Tip #37
A new use for business cards.
Place one of your business cards, with the date and time written on the back, in a kitchen cabinet. Note on it if you were the first to arrive or if clients were waiting.

Tip #38
Shred it!
Thoroughly shred all papers with personal information before you throw them away. Shred unwanted credit card applications and "convenience checks" that come in the mail, credit card receipts with your account number, outdated financial papers and papers containing your clients’ personal information.

Tip #39
Leave yourself an out.
Part of being prepared to deal with a threatening situation is having “an out.” Prepare a scenario in advance so that you can leave—or you can encourage someone who makes you uncomfortable to leave. Examples: Your cell phone or pager went off and you have to call your office, you left some important information in your car, or another agent with buyers is on his way.

Tip #40
Travel light when meeting clients.
If you carry a purse, lock it in your car trunk before arriving at an appointment. All REALTORS® should carry only non-valuable business items (except for your cell phone), and do not wear expensive jewelry of watches, or appear to be carrying large sums of money.

Tip #41
Scam alert!
At an open house, be alert to visitors’ comings and goings, especially near the end of showing hours. Police have reported groups of criminals that target open houses, showing up en masse near the end of the afternoon. While several "clients" distract the REALTOR®, others go through the house and steal anything they can quickly take.

Tip #42
Monitor bills and bank accounts.
Open your credit card bills and bank statements right away. Check for any unauthorized charges or withdrawals and report them immediately. Call if bills don’t arrive on time. It may mean that someone has changed contact information to hide fraudulent charges.

Tip #43
Friend or foe?
If you’re driving at night and are approached by a vehicle with blue lights, exercise caution. Call 9-1-1 to identify the vehicle, turn on your flashers to acknowledge that you see the police car, and keep moving until you’re in a well-lit area. A legitimate law enforcement official will understand your caution.

Tip #44
Get expert advice on home security.
For a detailed security analysis of your home, contact a bonded professional locksmith who is an accredited member of a state or national locksmith association. At no cost to you, your police and sheriff's department will be glad to help when needed.

Tip #45
Take two seconds to pause and look around as you enter your destination.
• Does anything seem out of place?
• Is anyone present who shouldn’t be there or who isn’t expected?

Tip #46
Show you’re a REALTOR®
Always wear visible company identification such as a badge. It is also best to drive a vehicle clearly marked with your company name. These will be invaluable for identification if you need to get assistance.

Tip #47
“Please check in at the desk.”
When you have a new client, ask him/her to stop by your office and complete a Prospect Identification Form. Also, photocopy their driver’s license and retain this information at your office. Be certain to properly discard this personal information when you no longer need it.

Tip #48
Safe home, safe garage.
Help keep your home safe by covering garage windows. There is a lot about your garage you don't want potential criminals to know about—such as whether someone is home, or if there are tools or ladders available to help break in to your home. If you have an attached garage, make sure the door that connects your house to the garage is a solid core exterior door with a deadbolt lock.

Tip #49
Block identity theft.
Contact the fraud department of any of the three consumer reporting companies— Equifax, Experian and Trans Union—to place a fraud alert on your credit report. The fraud alert automatically lets credit card companies and other creditors know they must contact you before opening any new accounts or making any changes to your existing accounts.

Tip #50
Consider learning self-defense.
The best way to find a good self-defense class is to learn what is available, and then make a decision. Many health clubs, martial arts studios and community colleges offer some type of class. You can also ask your fellow REALTORS®, friends and family if they have taken a self-defense class that they would recommend.

Tip #51
Park smart.
When showing property or meeting someone, park your car in front of the property rather than in the driveway. You will avoid having your car blocked in, you’ll have an easier time escaping in your vehicle, and you will attract lots of attention running and screaming to your car at the curb area.

Tip #52
Loose e-mails sink ships.
Don’t send any vital or private information via e-mail. Keep in mind that unlike Web sites, e-mail is never secure.

Extra Tip
Keep burglars out of your basement.
When safeguarding your home, pay special attention to all basement windows. If any bushes or trees hide these windows, this can provide a place for burglars to break in without being seen. Consider reinforcing your basement windows with security bars, wire mesh or Plexiglas.

Article Source: Real EstateTips from top notch experts

About the Author

You can save yourself days of searches by reading this summarized informations Real Esate Tips Vault! This is probably the best collection of informations on real estate for buyers and sellers. href="http://halchems.luxpro.hop.clickbank.net