Safety Tips for Agents

Agent Safety

1. Always have potential clients meet you at your office or at FAAR.
2. Explain to them that company policy is to get a copy of their driver’s license
3. Note the make and license number of their car
4. Introduce them to a co-worker
5. What kind of shoes are you wearing when showing homes in secluded areas? If you have to move quickly, can you do it in 4” heels?
6. Avoid provocative photos in your marketing
7. Consider holding your car keys in your hand while showing homes; see #7
8. Most key fobs for cars have panic buttons on them; if you feel uncomfortable, press the red button
9. Before you get out of the car at any showing, check to make sure you have cell signal and that the phone is charged
10. Show homes during daylight hours, or don’t go alone

Buyer Safety

1. Know your communities; know the escape routes. If and when you need to leave the area quickly, you want to be able to do it quickly.
2. When arriving at an unoccupied home, back the car in, or turn around for a quick exit. Consider parking in the street at the curb.
3. Consider leaving the driver side window down; if you need to get to the car quickly and get in, fumbling with your keys is not really going to help you. Added benefit; you can’t lock yourself out of the car…
4. When entering any home, open the front door and let the client enter first. Never enter a home or any room first.
5. If the home has a deadbolt, consider opening the deadbolt and push the door to; this way the door can’t be quickly slammed and locked behind you.

Seller Safety

When you go on a listing appointment, do you do a SAFETY SURVEY with your clients? If you take the time to discuss with them how to make their home a haven of safety while it is listed, you are probably having a discussion with them that your competitors have not bothered to have. You have now set yourself apart from the crowd.

1. Prescription Drugs – Lock them up, or property dispose of them. A recent survey of agents in San Diego, CA revealed that over half of the 164 agents surveyed had knowledge of a prescription drug theft taking place at an open house.
2. Secure All Valuables; Remind Clients That You Can’t Be Responsible For Thefts:
   Jewelry, artwork, cellphones, gaming systems, and firearms. Think about mail on the countertop; in today’s world of identity theft, a bank statement left out in plain view is a potential serious problem. Instruct sellers to police the home before leaving for a showing.
3. Ask the seller to make a home safe for the buyers and the agent
   —Turn on all the lights before leaving for a showing
   —Check for loose flooring and carpet; check any staircases. Are they to code? Eliminate the risk of falls before they happen.
   —Is there a security system? Is it monitored? Do different people have different codes?
4. Explain to your client the danger involved in letting unexpected visitors enter their home. If anyone shows up unannounced, they should hand them the listings agents card and instruct them to contact the agent to set up a showing.
5. Family photos – suggest to your seller that they should consider removing them. You never know who is viewing your house; photos of your grandchildren, daughters, etc. might not be something you want strangers seeing.

Open Houses

1. Let neighbors know you will be holding an open house
2. Upon arrival, check all exits and make sure you can get out quickly
3. Turn on all lights and open all curtains
4. Position yourself so you can see all arrivals and make a note or take a picture of their vehicle
5. Require all visitors to sign in
6. Notify a friend that you will check in on a pre-arranged schedule by text or phone
7. It’s not over until it’s over; make sure everyone has left the home before you lock up and leave