5 Mistakes That Could Put You in Danger
You don’t tell anyone where you’re going. “Headed to a showing at 111 Main St. Should be back in the office by 4.” Send a simple message like this to your broker, spouse, or other trusted person so that if something happens and no one hears from you, they know where to start looking.
You reveal too much personal information. Keep the small talk focused on the potential client you just met, real estate, and other topics unrelated to you. Someone who wants to buy or sell real estate doesn’t need to know where you live, who’s in your family, or where you spend your vacation. This advice applies to social media, too, where you can never be sure who’s seeing your posts.
You leave your phone in the other room. You may think it’s fine to leave your phone in the kitchen while you show a property so you can focus all your attention on your client. But what if you need to call for help, or someone steals it while you’re a few rooms away?
You don’t report suspicious people. Don’t ignore uncomfortable situations because “nothing bad happened.” Reporting suspicious incidents raises awareness and can help prevent future attacks or other crimes.
You think it won’t happen to you. Maybe you work in upscale neighborhoods or conduct all your showings during the day. It doesn’t matter. Criminals work in all neighborhoods at all hours. Be alert and stay safe.
Get your license to carry a concealed hand gun. Our Board has had two or three classes and training to allow Realtors to protect themselves. JOIN NRA.
With open carry it is no longer a “license to carry a concealed hand gun”. The new license simply reads “license to carry handgun”
Agree 1000% with Gerald.
http://www.dps.texas.gov/rsd/ltc/index.htm
How about just starting by taking some basic measures of security before you go out and get a gun. No reason to go off the deep end here guys.
How is getting being trained, getting a license and carrying a gun going off the deep end?
I would guess that the vast, vast majority of license holders never ever have to draw or use their guns in self defense. On the other hand, if you have it then, you are prepared in case of need. If you don’t have it, you can’t tell the perp who has you cornered, “Hold on, I need to go get training, apply for a license, take the course, take the shooting test, and wait for the arrival of my license. I’ll be back in 8 to 12 weeks.” I’m not opposed to telling someone where you are going and what… Read more »
What do you consider “some basic measures of security?”
This is good knowledge for some, some agents and non-agents think that crime and bad things do not happen in upscale neighborhoods, DUD!, and reminder for others.
Absolutely Correct Michelle. I’m sure many agents think that. That’s why they leave their purse in their Mercedes and then wonder why their car windows have been broken and purse stolen while house showing. Try subscribing to the West University Police Crime Report, West University Place, Houston, TX … and get rid of those “rose-colored glasses.”
I have my LTC, I carry and I’ve also asked people to text me their driver’s license prior to meeting. More than once I’ve had the hair on the back of my neck stand up at a showing. Also, NEVER put your back to anyone!
I don’t personally carry a weapon, but I agree with Mary Mulcahy’s approach… in fact I have the prospect /buyer send me a copy of the DL, which I upload into my CRM as part of their profile. One other person will always know my showing schedule.
I was once told, as a Realtor, we are among the top 25 most dangerous legal professions in the country. I’ve carried for 35 years….better safe than sorry! I do have my CHL .
I’m an appraiser. I can’t believe that female Realtors go into the house and wait for us alone. Or, even go into the house alone. Unless they specifically know me, my advice is ALWAYS to meet outside. There are some that do exactly that, and I make a point of telling them that they are doing the smart thing. My business partner is my daughter. We don’t go into occupied homes alone. Period.
Most of this kind of risk comes when Agents are showing their own Listings. That is why I quit showing my Listings. Today, most people that are calling Listing Agents for a showing either have no intention of using the Listing Agent, they are not qualified, they are just curious or are already represented. I screen these calls by offering a referral to a Buyer’s Agent that can adequately represent them. Almost 100% of the time they decline the offer. I also maintain my loyalty and fidelity to my Seller Client by not trying to snag the Buyer side of… Read more »
Telling people where you are going is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. How is that going to stop the attacker from attacking you? Don’t get yourself into that situation in the first place. It is not illegal or impractical for you to not show up at an appointment where there is any risk. Drive away if you have to and tell the customer you’re sorry you had an emergency. Or don’t go there in the first place Until you know a lot about the customer.
Trust your instincts. Don’t place yourself at unnecessary risk. Don’t carry a gun if you are not sure you will use it. Guns are useless inside a home for most people, unless properly trained in their use in small spaces. (Most times in the homes, you are less than ten feet from an attacker, reaction time is curtailed). Everything can be a weapon, car keys, pens, pencils heels, etc. Concentrate your defense by attacking vulnerable places such as the eyes and neck arteries and remember that once you start to fight, you don’t stop until you have disabled your attacker… Read more »