LET'S TALK ABOUT REALTOR® SAFETY

Due to the nature of your profession, many of your common business practices expose you to potentially risky situations. We hope this information will assist you in putting safety procedures in place, both professional and personal.  Our New Member Orientation Class offers a section on REALTOR® Safety for all new members.  Think smart - stay safe.  Adding a few additional minutes to your routine and changing some habits in your daily professional tasks will help keep you safe.

Our REALTOR® safety handout, "Let's Talk About REALTOR® Safety," a publication of Paul Bunyan Board of REALTORS®, is dedicated to the memory of Vena Sue Clason who was an agent with Century 21 in Cadillac and a member of  our association.  She was murdered while showing property in Osceola County on September 11th, 1984.  Her murder remains an unsolved crime. Scroll down to read the "Wanted Poster" that still remains on the public bulletin board of both the Cadillac and Reed City Michigan State Police Posts.

1.     Buckle Up.  It’s the law and it’s the easiest and most sensible way of protecting yourself.  Your chances of being killed in an automobile 
        accident far outweigh your chances of becoming a victim of a crime.
2.     Invest in a cell phone so that you are always in communication with your office.  If you don’t own a cell phone, borrow one for use 
        at an open house.
3.     If you make it a habit of using your cell phone while driving, utilize some hands free feature such as Bluetooth. 
4.     Always keep your cell phone charged, turned on and in your hand or utilize some hands free feature such as Bluetooth 
        when you are showing properties. 
5.     Pre-program emergency numbers and your office as one touch calls on your cell phone.
6.     Keep your keys and your cell phone in your pocket or in your hand when you are out of your vehicle on a showing.
7.     Be alert.  Precaution is the best defense!
8.     Don’t list your home phone number on your business card or flyers.  Use your pager or cell phone number.
9.     Meet your prospects at the office and have them sign in, leaving a copy of their driver’s license with the office manager or clerk.  
        At the very minimum, leave the name, contact information and description of the prospect with a family member, friend or associate.
10.   Never meet with a prospect based on a phone contact only.  Meet them at the  office where they will come in contact with others 
        before you leave with them.  If you have doubts, take someone from the office with you.
11.   Always take your own car when showing property.  Park your car on the street and easily accessible.
12.   Let the potential buyers explore areas of a home on their own, with you following behind and keeping the door/exit available to you.  
        Avoid going into the basement or confined areas with a prospect.
13.   Never advertise a property as vacant.
14.   While showing prospects about the area, stay in regular communication with your office.
15.   Whenever you leave your car or remain in the car working prior to or after a showing, lock it.  
16.   Make sure you mention “another showing appointment to show this house” immediately following yours.
17.   If you are suspicious, trust your instincts.  Go with your "gut."  If you feel at all uncomfortable, cancel the appointment, or
       terminate the showing by looking at your watch,  stating you are expected at another location in 10 minutes and are running 
       late – then get out.
18.   Don’t sit at an open house alone.
19.   Take a self protection class.  Carry a whistle or some other type of noise deterrent and keep it easily accessible.
20.   The most important rule of all - always remember that no sale is worth risking your safety or your life.