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The headlines are shocking: Armed Men Rob Real Estate Agent at Gun Point Philadelphia Police Arrest Two in Carjacking of Realtor Real Estate Agent Found Dead, Buried in Shallow Grave That last headline recounts the story of Arkansas Realtor Beverly Carter, who was murdered in September, the National Association of Realtors' "Realtor Safety Month." You should never have to pay with your life to work. Yet, in real estate it happens regularly. Horrid headlines appear on the front page and we all just shake our heads and say how horrific it is. The only silver lining is we can learn from these tragic stories and possibly prevent them from happening again. With that in mind, I'd like to share some safety tips you can use in common situations that have been gleaned from police and personal safety experts. When meeting with a client for the first time: Don't be a 'pop-up' Realtor. By that I mean don't just pop-up immediately when a prospective client says they want to see a house. Meet at the office first to learn more about them -- ask for their identification and have them complete a customer identification form. Also, introduce all prospective clients to a coworker. Criminals won't like this. When showing a property: Use the buddy system. Those who know me; know I'm a faithful Boy Scout. One of our best safety tips is to never leave the campsite alone. The same goes for showing homes. There's always strength (and safety) in numbers. Let others know where you are. Also, avoid confined spaces like basements and attics where you can become trapped. When showing rooms, stay by the door. Follow behind prospective buyers when walking through the home. And, if you feel uncomfortable, always have an excuse to leave the house: say you need to meet another agent who's coming with more buyers, for example. When holding an open house: Again, buddy up. Would-be assailants are less likely to enter when they see two people. And inspect homes when you enter, pick escape routes and ensure your cell phone has a connection. Also, let neighbors know you're showing the house. When entering foreclosed or vacant homes: Inspect the exterior. Visit during daylight hours only. Walk around the house before going in and check for shattered windows or busted doors. If a squatter is in the home, leave immediately and call police. Transporting prospects in your car: Consider driving separately. Let clients follow you from listing to listing. If you absolutely have to take one car, then you drive and park where you can leave quickly -- on the street or curb. Experts say Realtor security and safety comes in layers - doing a lot of little things adds extra layers of safety -- such as using buddy systems, being aware of your surroundings, holding first meetings in your office, etc. Also, consider taking personal safety classes. One I recommend is P.A.R.T. (Professional Assault Response Training). It's offered around the country and teaches basic self-defense techniques. I'll end by sharing this good news: NAR's incoming president, Chris Polychron, has pledged to make safety a top priority. "The sad part is that when you work in real estate, it does involve risk," Polychron is quoted in The Washington Post. "But as an industry we have got to promote better safety awareness." I couldn't agree more. Let me hear from you. Are you practicing the profession as safely as you can? Have you taken a personal self-defense class? Do you have more safety tips to pass along? Bubba Mills is executive vice president of Corcoran Consulting and Coaching Inc. (800-957-8353), an international consulting and coaching company that specializes in performance coaching and the implementation of sound business systems for residential REALTOR, mortgage brokers and real estate companies.
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