North Columbus News

Although real estate work is not often considered dangerous, professionals in the field face potential hazards during private showings, open houses, and other isolated encounters. To prevent unwanted occurrences, safety must be prioritized. The Springfield Board of Realtors offers several tips to enhance personal safety.

Before meeting a new client, it is essential to take certain precautions. Request identification, including name, phone number, and a copy of their driver’s license. These screening practices are common among industry professionals. With these details on record, a social media search can verify the client's identity. Additionally, apps are available to check for criminal records.

It is customary to host an initial meeting with a client at your office. Inform coworkers or partners about your appointment. If hosting at your office is not possible, consider finding a public location for the session. Avoid first encounters at the property itself.

When showing a property, adopt a cautious approach by introducing clients during daylight hours. This ensures the property is shown clearly and brightly while adhering to necessary safety protocols since nefarious activities are more common at night.

Ensure you have an unobstructed route to leave the building by parking on the curb rather than in the driveway and learning the house layout before showing it. Always let clients walk ahead of you and never turn your back on them. Keep vehicle keys and cell phones with you at all times without revealing their locations or lockbox access codes.

Transitioning to electronic bookkeeping can enhance personal safety by reducing the need to carry cash or sensitive financial documents, thus decreasing theft risk. It allows secure remote access to financial records and minimizes travel to potentially unsafe locations. Digital systems often include fraud detection features for added protection against identity theft and financial scams.

Additional precautions include traveling in pairs whenever possible and protecting personal information by keeping home addresses separate from business contacts. Establish clear communication methods with your office or emergency contacts through speed dial or code words.

To protect against theft, leave personal valuables in your vehicle's trunk before viewings. More than 50% of realtors carry weapons such as pepper spray or firearms for protection. Consider temporary surveillance for listed properties as cameras can deter crime.

Driving clients to properties is no longer necessary; let them drive themselves instead. Some real estate companies use geolocation apps like 'Find My iPhone' to keep track of each other's movements.

Introducing yourself to neighbors can help them monitor properties when you're away. Stay updated with resources like NAR’s ‘Safety Resources for Brokers’ and consider taking courses such as ‘Safety Matters.’

Realtors should prioritize their safety even if it risks offending or losing clients; provisions must be in place during work hours without dominating one's thinking but remaining aware while on duty.

The Springfield Board of Realtors serves as an authority on real estate buying, selling, and regulation in Springfield and surrounding areas in Ohio.

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