A recent survey revealed that 95% of agents had not been a victim of a crime. While working, it is always pays to be safe than sorry. Considering the recent real estate agent deaths in the USA and Canada, I thought it would be timely to remind stagers of some practical ways to protect their own safety.
It is true real estate agents are more vulnerable than we are as they are often working with strangers in unfamiliar locations. Stagers who work with agents who in turn introduce them to their sellers are less vulnerable directly in that situation, however there are still some things to consider.
- Even with the help of caller I.D, you can never be too sure you know who you are talking to. For example, if someone who claims to know you gives you a call and starts to make unusual requests on your behalf, then STOP TALKING.
Scammers feed off your reactions in order to compile additional information.
Hint: If the caller has no recollection of previous conversations, then they are not who they say they are.
- When contacted by a person who says they are an agent who wants to meet to find out more about your service; be smart and google that person to ensure they are a licensed and operating agent.
- If you agree to meet someone, be sure it is in a public place- coffee shop for instance and always let someone know where you are going.
- Keep you gas tank full, especially if you are headed to rural areas and make sure your car has everything you would need if the car breaks down. That includes a roadside assistance service, jumper cables, portable phone charger, shovel, warm coat and rain boots (floods, snow or mud) & flashlight
- When possible, if doing a consultation at night try to park under a streetlight.
- Create a distress code. Your assistant, partner, family, agent need to know you are safe or in danger so find something to say which they interpret as 911 I need help. Example- “Oh Mary this is Christine, I’m at the staging house on Maple Street and I forgot the inventory list. Could you email it to me – its in the RED FILE FOLDER on my desk”
- Install a panic button app on your phone that lets you notify the police or emergency responders.
- Limit the social media announcements regarding where you are actually going to be and certainly not advertising the property is vacant -either in words or video. This could be an invitation to criminals.
- Take a few minutes before you start unloading your items to check are there any potential dangers. Can you be blocked in the driveway? Is there any area where you are hidden from street view, is there anything sketchy going on- people lurking, vehicles parked? Make sure you lock your vehicle when you have emptied it, move it to the street. If you don’t need your purse while working lock it in the trunk.
- If you have inventory in a vacant property, it is a good idea for you to suggest the owner has security cameras installed to see who comes and goes. Might be good for you to have one or two, plug in cameras to monitor your inventory also.
- If you have movers, you don’t know, always let them go into the house ahead of you and you give directions- i.e. the dining room is on the right.
- If you are staging in an unfamiliar area pay attention, make mental notes of landmarks, points of interest, intersections. If you have to pull over to check a GPS be sure you are safe.
- In low cell signal areas, or anywhere there maybe unreliable connectivity it is best to not stage alone- bring an assistant make sure your pricing reflects that too.
- Be careful where you leave your phone, keys and the property key. I always wore an apron with a pocket into which my phone and car fob went incase I needed to exit quickly.
- It’s a good idea to keep your car keys and house keys on a different ring if you ever use valet parking or leave your keys with parking lot attendants or even at a repair garage.
- Do not work with music blasting in your ears- you need to be aware at all times
- Make it a policy no one is home, and no one is allowed on the property while you and your team are at the house. That includes homeowners, assistants of the agent, utility men etc.
- Commit the security box number to memory so no piece of paper is accidentally dropped as you come and go.
- Once you are at the house to stage with your inventory inside be sure all the doors are locked, garage door is down, and you have a phone charger inside the house. It sounds paranoid but if you are not working alone, it is good to have one person on watch outside so one scoots in without you noticing
- Do not stage with glass, knives, fake Tv or fake laptops- they all look real from outside and could cause a break in. Don’t wear expensive jewelry to a staging because this could make you a target for thieves.
- Be sure your homeowners are protected too. Tell them to hide any valuables including extra keys, credit cards, jewelry, crystal, furs, other valuables & any firearms in a safe place (preferably off site). As Identity theft is on the rise so during the consultation be sure to have them pack away all personal information including bills, calendars, photographs. In fact, anything which would identify them- certificates, military citations, little league photos even prescription drugs. Some seemingly honest people wouldn’t mind getting their hands on a bottle of Viagra, uppers or downers
- If an unexpected person/s, knocks on the door asking to see the property- maybe they say they are a neighbor or asks you to go to a second location to give them a quote while in the neighborhood, or is acting in an erratic or suspicious manner, don’t be shy about terminating or delaying the appointment.
- The same applies if you arrive at a property to find it open, unlocked or showing signs of unauthorized occupation. If something feels strange to you, it could be a legitimate cause for concern. Don’t ignore your gut just because you don’t want to bother an agent or have them think you are overreacting- Safety comes first.
- About 40% of agents have participated in a self defense class, maybe something to consider if you live in a high crime area. If you have connections with alocal board of realtors, it is a good idea to ask them if you could attend any safety programs they offer their agents
Obviously practice workplace safety on the job too, including not wearing loose cloths, working bare foot, flipflops/crocs are all dangerous on the job- Bring a first aid kit with you, include an EpiPen and inhaler.
- Have someone hold a ladder if you must climb during a job
- Take breaks and hydrate in hot weather. Always expect HVAC and AC to work.
- Do not allow team members to post during work, no bullying tactics, no swearing and no bigotry/hate comments
- Create a safe, positive work culture for your team.
Resources: NAR, CREA OREA
