Realtor Safety On The Job: We Care About our Realtor Partners

August 15, 2014

Realtor SafetyNormally our articles are for potential and new homeowners, but an important part of our business is the amazing realtor partners we have around the Oklahoma City Metro that bring their valued clients our way. We know how tough it is to work in the real estate industry. Often long hours accompany the life of a real estate agent as they try tirelessly to find new homes for their clients, and the right homebuyer for their homeowners who are selling their homes. With the long hours in mind, and in the wake of a terrible tragedy recently after an open house in Philadelphia, we'd like to put a list out by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). And as potential homebuyers, think about the safety of your agent as well as the safety of yourselves when meeting during off hours or in less populated areas. NAR encourages real estate professionals to take these 10 steps to maintain their safety in a variety of job related situations.

  1. If possible, always try to have at least one other person working with you at the open house.
  2. Check your cell phone's strength and signal prior to the open house. Have emergency numbers programmed on speed dial.
  3. Upon entering a house for the first time, check all rooms and determine several "escape" routes. Make sure all deadbolt locks are unlocked to facilitate a faster escape.
  4. Make sure that if you were to escape by the back door, you could escape from the backyard. Frequently, high fences surround yards that contain swimming pools or hot tubs.
  5. Have all open house visitors sign in. Ask for full name, address, phone number and e-mail.
  6. When showing the house, always walk behind the prospect. Direct them; don't lead them. Say, for example, "The kitchen is on your left," and gesture for them to go ahead of you.
  7. Avoid attics, basements, and getting trapped in small rooms.
  8. Notify someone in your office, your answering service, a friend or a relative that you will be calling in every hour on the hour. And if you don't call, they are to call you.
  9. Inform a neighbor that you will be showing the house and ask if he or she would keep an eye and ear open for anything out of the ordinary.
  10. Don't assume that everyone has left the premises at the end of an open house. Check all of the rooms and the backyard prior to locking the doors. Be prepared to defend yourself, if necessary.

We want to make sure that your home search is enjoyable and the Realtors and real estate professionals out there on the front lines are safe and happy as they help you find your dream home.