| Many people don't realize it, but realtors face many | | | | Do not carpool from your real estate office to the |
| hazards when it comes to personal safety at work. | | | | home. You don't want to be alone in a car with |
| They frequently work alone, in empty homes, and | | | | someone you just met, even if it's for business. Drive |
| meet clients in unfamiliar or empty locations. If you | | | | there in your own car, and have the clients follow |
| are a real estate agent, be sure to consider your | | | | you in their own car. Always remember that your |
| personal safety when going about your work. With a | | | | safety is more important than a real estate |
| little preparation and a small investment in pepper | | | | commission; refuse to show a home to a prospective |
| spray and other self defense products, you can | | | | buyer if you don't feel safe with them. |
| ensure your safety while on the job. | | | | Once inside the home, mention that another realtor |
| The job of a realtor involves spending a lot of time | | | | plans to meet you there, even if this isn't true. This |
| alone in locations that may be new to you. Plus, there | | | | makes you a less attractive target for attack. Before |
| is the added danger of being lured to unoccupied | | | | showing a home to any clients, take your own tour. |
| homes by potential attackers pretending to be | | | | Pay special attention to the layout and exits. Once |
| potential buyers of the property. As you arrive alone | | | | you are in the home with clients, guide them through |
| to a vacant home that you think you're about to | | | | the home in front of you to avoid being trapped in a |
| show to a potential buyer, you are an attractive | | | | corner or small room. If a couple is touring the home, |
| target. Meeting strangers in these types of locations | | | | ask them to remain together, and never lose sight of |
| is probably the most dangerous part of being a real | | | | either of them. |
| estate agent. | | | | Keep your cell phone turned on and in your pocket. |
| You can alleviate some of this risk by meeting the | | | | All realtors should carry pepper spray, a personal |
| prospective buyer at your office first, before heading | | | | alarm, or a stun gun. If showing the house becomes |
| to the empty home. Before leaving your office to | | | | a potential attack, you will be able to protect |
| show a house, introduce your clients to colleagues. | | | | yourself. |
| Make a copy of their driver's license, and leave it, | | | | Too many realtors remain oblivious to the dangers |
| along with the address of the home they are | | | | that are associated with their line of work. Being a |
| interested in, in an area that is visible to anyone | | | | realtor means placing yourself in potentially dangerous |
| entering your office. Even if you think the | | | | situations. Be prepared by knowing what to do when |
| prospective buyers look relatively normal, don't be | | | | showing a home and carrying pepper spray to |
| lulled into a false sense of security. Even criminals | | | | defend yourself if necessary. This small investment is |
| may look and act normal until they get you alone. | | | | well worth your safety. |