Are you being safe?
My last post talked about being prepared for potential disaster, both personally and professionally. Since then, the very sad news of the murders of two Realtors in Ohio, as well as a robbery of another, has caused me to reflect again on Realtor personal safety.
It's definitely a desperate time for many people out there, both in and out of the industry. People are doing things they normally wouldn't do, and that includes us.
My wife, who has been in the Real Estate business for 18yrs got into a bad situation with a lease option tenant that we are evicting.
She went into the Stansbury Park home with a contractor to get bids for repairs in the home and the woman in the home trapped her in the basement and wouldn't let her leave. Finally she called the contractor to come down and help her. No harm was done, but hopefully her eyes have been opened to her vulnerability.
I have protocols in place that she didn't pay attention to. It could have been much different.
Here in Tooele County, we have a very low crime rate, and I'm not aware of Realtors getting into any serious trouble. However, it only takes once.
Friends, take some basic precautions out there. Obviously, we are in a business that requires meeting "strangers" on a regular basis. Insist on meeting them at the office first, or take someone with you to the showing.
Berna doesn't meet with first time clients without me being there. Even if she's met them, she always lets me know which homes she's showing, and when. Don't let strangers get behind you, or get you into a position where you don't have a means of escape. Keep your phone in your hands at all times. There are lots of personal protection products out there that can be helpful. Berna's keychain mace sprayer is very handy.
Depending on your personal views and local law, consider taking a course on personal safety and obtaining a concealed weapons permit. When I was President of the Utah Association of Realtors, our first leadership and staff retreat was exactly that.
In this day and age, with murders and robberies becoming so much more prevalent, you must take steps to protect yourself. Am I being too extreme here? Perhaps you should ask the families of our fellow Realtors in Ohio what they think.
As the saying goes, "just because I'm being paranoid, doesn't mean I'm wrong". Take care of yourself friends...