If you’re reading this, you’re likely a real estate agent who is looking for ways to enhance your safety. You may be feeling scared and vulnerable after recent events in the world. While it’s impossible to guarantee your safety 100%, there are things you can do to make yourself less of a target and more prepared in case of an emergency. Keep reading for tips on how to stay safe while working as a real estate agent.
Meet new clients at your office first or in a public place
When meeting new clients, it’s important to take every precaution necessary in order to ensure that nothing goes wrong. With this in mind, meeting them at your office or another public place is a great way to start the relationship off on the right foot. Even if they have already signed papers virtually, having them physically come into your office may help them feel more comfortable and create a trusting environment right away. It also gives you an opportunity to better screen the client before stepping onto their property or any other type of agreement with them. Staying safe should be job number one for any real estate agent, so taking extra precautions such as these can go a long way toward making sure everything goes smoothly.
Ask for Identification
Before you open to show a property, it should become common practice to always get the individual’s information first. Obviously, getting their name and telephone number is a must but also ask for their driver’s license as well. Advancements in technology make this easily achievable – simply take a picture of the license with your smartphone and send it to your supervisor; this way there’s an official record of who you are meeting with. If feasible, joting down their vehicle information should become standard as well. Taking these extra steps ensures both parties remain safe because you will know who comes into the house you are showing, and they will feel more secure knowing that you have verified their identification.
Do Social Media Recon
Doing your homework when it comes to potential clients can significantly help you in your sales process. Social media is a great start to understanding who the client is and what their interests may be. While it’s tempting to just look at what the person posts or shares, you can also see who they follow, view their profile picture and use other clues that can give you a better sense of them. You’ll understand more about their communication habits as well as get ideas for topics that might be interesting and intriguing for your conversation with them. This recon mission can ultimately save you time, energy, money and resources if done correctly so consider spending some time getting to know your prospects before taking that big step.
Show Properties During Daylight Hours
It’s always best to show potential buyers a property when the sun is still out because it provides them with the greatest comfort and security. This can be especially true for those who may be unfamiliar with the surroundings, or live in an area that has higher crime rates. Showing properties during daylight hours requires less lighting and will make sure that any spaces revealed by curtains and blinds are thoroughly illuminated. More importantly, it sends a message to buyers – that you have their safety top of mind!
Don’t Advertise a Listing as “Vacant”
Advertise a vacant house as if it was occupied; that’s the best way to go about listing a home without inviting any unwanted attention. You can make the listing appear enticing without referencing that there is no one in the home by using high-quality images and amped-up descriptions of its features. Start by emphasizing the curb appeal, showcase communal areas, and emphasize desirable features like closets, storage, energy efficiency, or updated features like new windows. Focus on creating a story for potential buyers rather than calling out that the house is empty so you don’t make it a target for criminal activity.
Ask the Client to Walk Ahead of You
When showing a client a home they may be interested in, it is always important to remember that they should always walk ahead of you. It is not only more polite and shows them that you respect their space, but it also ensures that you are able to keep an eye on them at all times. Remember that when dealing with strangers, safety is the most important factor. This way, you will be able to respond quickly and appropriately if something unexpected should happen. In addition, follow your clients if they become eager and walk too quickly so they do not get lost or miss details about the house!
Being a real estate agent can be dangerous. You are meeting new people all the time, going to properties that you don’t know, and often times working by yourself. By following these simple safety tips, you can help make sure that you stay safe while working as a real estate agent. For more comprehensive training on how to stay safe as a real estate agent, please call Security Training Academy at 443-702-7891.
