REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Safety Week Tip: Showing Empty Properties

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Daily Real Estate News | September 18, 2009 | Safety Week Tip: Showing Empty Properties
When you're showing an empty property, you can take these simple steps to empower yourself against attack or theft.

Be sure to use the lockbox property-key procedure that has been established to improve real estate agent safety. A reliable, secure lockbox system ensures that keys don’t fall into the wrong hands.
Preview the property and don’t go into a neighborhood that you perceive as unsafe. Be familiar with the area so you know the location of the nearest police station. Drive there immediately if you feel you are in danger.
Try and call the office once an hour to let people know where you are.
At the beginning of the showing, mention to the client that you have another appointment to show the house within a short time.
Prepare a scenario so that you can leave, or encourage someone who makes you uncomfortable to leave. Examples: Your cell phone or beeper went off and you have to call your office, you left some important information in your car, or another agent with buyers is on his way.
In showing a property, always leave the front door unlocked for a quick exit while you and the client are inside. As you enter each room, stand near the door.
It is better to not display purses while at a property. Lock your purse in the car trunk before you arrive. Carry only non-valuable business items (except for your cell phone), and do not wear expensive jewelry or watches, or appear to be carrying large sums of money.
Park at the curb in front of the property rather than in the driveway. You will attract much more attention running and screaming to the curb area. It is much easier to escape in your vehicle if you don't have to back out of a driveway. Besides, parked in a driveway, another vehicle could purposefully or accidentally trap you.

(Sources: Louisiana REALTORS^® Association; Washington Real Estate
Safety Council; City of Albuquerque, N.M.; Nevada County Association of REALTORS^®; City of Mesa, Ariz.)

Safety Week is Sept. 13-19. For an array of tips, articles, and widgets, visit the REALTOR^® Safety Web site at REALTOR.org/Safety.