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March 2004
Index of all
messages from the Association President
Back to basics...let's rethink safety
by Debbie Green
Here are some startling figures to get you thinking about what you do:
Twenty-one real estate professionals were murdered while on the job in the U.S. in 2000. A total of 206 agents died as a result of violent assaults from 1982 to 2000. Many more were raped, beaten and robbed.
Preventative methods
The Real Estate Safety Council found through extensive research that in nearly every assault, the victim could have done something to prevent the incident. Survivors told Council researchers what they would have done differently if given a second chance. Their conclusion: doing the following three things could have made a significant difference:
- Identify the person you are working with before you join him/her alone in a car or a house. Copy his/her driver's license.
- Always carry your cell phone and program 911 into speed dial
- Trust your instincts.
Recent events in the metro area have led me to believe that we as an industry are not doing everything possible to protect ourselves against predators and criminals.
An area assault
The Rocky Mountain News detailed not long ago the events leading up to the assault and robbery of an area real estate broker, who in this instance happened to be male. The broker met a prospect at Windsor Gardens to show a unit; once inside the unit, the assailant hit the broker on the head with a gun and then robbed him. This incident occurred in early afternoon. Luckily, the broker was able to free himself and call the police.
A situation such as this is a good reminder that we must take the time to ensure our personal safety and not let the almighty dollar blind us to dangerous situations.
Impetus to action
In January 2001, Mike Emert, a Bellevue, WA, real estate agent was brutally killed with a knife. He put up a struggle, but died of multiple stab wounds in the home he was showing. His death shocked the citizens of that community and galvanized the support of his fellow agents to form the Real Estate Safety Council. It is a non-profit organization that produces and distributes brochures and posters dedicated to the safety of real estate professionals. This council also assisted NAR in producing a safety video that can be made available to real estate professionals.
This year, at the national convention in San Francisco, there was a seminar entitled "REALTOR® SAFETY-Smart Strategies for Safe Selling". Below are some of the key ways you can stay safe while on the job as presented in that session. Read the suggestion and think each through: do you practice these techniques, or could your on-the-job safety standards use a little brushing up?
In general...
- Be suspect of everyone - being a little guarded can keep you out of a vulnerable situation
- ID and pre-qualify at your first meeting
- Stay in communication with your office
- Have a plan for safe open houses
- Use predetermined code words to alert your office of distress
- Conduct safe personal marketing
- Implement the buddy system when you can
- Dress for safety and success
- PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR INTUITION
- Know how to defend yourself
- Read the book "The Gift of Fear" by Gavin DeBecker
- Investigate self defense options
- Check the Sex Offenders Register every few months
On the street...
- Stay alert - be aware of your surroundings and who else is there
- Project confidence, trust your instincts, avoid dark areas, walk facing traffic
- Keep your hands free, wear your purse under your jacket
- Do not get too involved in a cell phone conversation
In your car...
- Keep car in good mechanical shape, never go below a quarter tank of gas
- Always lock doors and start engine quickly
- Park in well-lit areas, know where you are going, check around before getting out
- Leave space between your car and the car in front of you
At home...
- Do not use initials or female name on door, use a similar male name instead. (John for Joanne)
Along with the above information, you can do a number of things to protect yourself. The Real Estate Safety Council suggests the following:
In marketing...
- Your materials should be polished and professional
- Limit the amount of personal info, use your cell number, no home numbers
- Always use your office address
- Avoid glamour shots
When showing property...
- Plan your escape routes in advance
- Leave doors open
- Avoid attics and basements
- Walk behind your customers
- Stay by the door
Have an emergency call buddy...
- Know in advance who you are going to call
- Program your buddy's number into your speed dial
- Call your buddy if your instincts tell you, you get nervous or need help at an open house
Additional actions...
- For open houses - Never advertise a listing as vacant, establish escape routes on each level, call office or buddy hourly, keep your keys and cell phones with you, park where you can get out quickly, notify neighbors in advance.
- Listen to your gut feelings. Any hesitation, unexplained fear, or apprehension- are your body's signals that something isn't right. PAY ATTENTION!
- Know who you are dealing with when you have new clients, meet them at the office, verify their identities, get their car make and model, a copy of their driver's license, and remember that a serious client won't hesitate to share this information.
- Don't wear expensive jewelry, always wear your cell phone, dress for the weather, carry only minimal cash or credit cards. Wear shoes you can run in!
- Have a prearranged distress code or signal. For example: "I'm at the Jones house and I need the red file right away." Share your code with your office, colleagues, family and friends.
- Always leave your cell phone on, and program 911, your buddy and your office into speed dial. Keep the phone fully-charged.
Please remember that your safety is of utmost importance to your loved ones. Don't allow lack of time and planning to cause you serious harm.
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