Take these smart steps to protect and empower yourself against attack or theft.
Be sure to use the lockbox property-key procedure that has been established to improve real estate agent safety so that keys don’t fall into the wrong hands.
Show properties before dark. If you must show a property after dark, alert or bring along an associate turn on all lights as you go through, and don’t lower any shades or draw curtains or blinds.
Check in with someone on your team once an hour to let people know where you are.
Prepare a scenario so that you can leave, or to encourage someone who makes you uncomfortable to leave. Examples: Your cell phone went off and you have call your office; you left some important information in your car; another agent with buyers is on his way.
When showing a property, always leave the front door unlocked for a quick exit while you and the client are inside. As you enter each room, stand near the door.
Lock your purse in the car trunk before you arrive. Carry only non-valuable business items (except for your cell phone), and do not wear expensive or watches, or appear to be carrying large sums of money.
Park at the curb in front of the property rather than in the driveway. It is much easier to escape in your vehicle if you don’t have to back out of a while parked in a driveway another vehicle could purposefully or accidentally trap you.
September is Realtor Safety Month
The safety of Realtors is paramount to all of us at Pillar To Post, so this issue of Post Notes reminds brokers, agents and their teams how to stay safe.
Additional resources:
Please visit these websites for additional safety information, tools and resources:
Sources: Louisiana REALTORS® Association; Washington Real Estate Safety Council; City of Albuquerque, NM, Nevada County Association of REALTORS® City of Mesa, AZ
Top 10 Tips for Personal Safety
Touch base. Always let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll return. Arrange for your office to call you to check in.
Don’t get lost. Always know the exact address of where you’re going. If you use a navigation app, pull over and stop in a safe place if you’ve made a wrong turn.
Sense your surroundings. Is there questionable activity in the area of a property you’re showing? Is anyone loitering? Follow your instincts if you feel you should leave. Leave!
Don’t go it alone. Have an associate or other colleague host open houses with you.
Limit the view. If you’re working late, use window coverings so that you’re not visible to passersby or a potential attacker.
Go on the defense. Learn some self-defense skills. Many health clubs, martial arts studios and community colleges offer basic classes.
Choose flight over fight. Self defense is a good idea, but the primary goal in any threatening situation is to escape from immediate danger and call for help.
Park for protection. Always park in a well-lit, visible location whether you’re parking at your office, an open house, or an empty property.
Make calling for help easy. Program important numbers into your cell phone, including your office, roadside assistance and 911.
Know who you’re dealing with. Ask for ID, take a photo of a client’s license plate. A criminal won’t be comfortable with this and may be thwarted.
Source: NAR Realtor Safety Resource Kit.
Office Safety Action Plan
Personal safety in the office is important to everyone. Here are some elements to include in your office safety action plan.
Initial meeting with clients Hold the first in-person client meeting in or just outside your office rather than at properties or at home. It’s also a good idea to introduce them to a colleague on-site.
Client ID All first-time clients must provide a driver’s license, state ID or other official photo ID. The office will retain a copy of the ID for security purposes. You can download a Client Profile Form at www.beverlycarterfoundation.org.
Distress code Implement a verbal distress code—a secret word or phrase that can be casually worked into conversation if you feel threatened and the person you are with can overhear your conversation.
Buddy system If you’re uncomfortable meeting with clients alone or hosting open houses alone request another agent or employee to accompany you.
Privacy first Keep personal information private. Don’t discuss where you live, after-work, or vacation plans in front of prospective clients, new colleagues, or anyone with whom you’re not comfortable.
Limit access Make sure all doors other than the main entrance are secured and have a clear exit route from the front desk to the door.
Solo security If you encounter a stranger while working late or alone, say something like “My supervisor will be right with you.” to give the impression you’re not there alone.
Know your business neighbors Get to recognize the staff of other nearby businesses and be aware of their schedules. This will benefit everyone.
Sources: Beverly Carter Foundation
The Ultimate Home Inspection ExperienceSM
Pillar To Post Home Inspection Packages include even more exclusive and innovative features than ever. These new services deliver speed, ease and convenience, getting you to closings faster, saving you time, and delighting your clients.
Standard with every Home Inspection:
PTP360*
Interactive 360° Visual Inspection Summary
Brings the inspection report to life
Includes every room and the exterior
Accessible any time
PTPEstimates*
Powered by PunchList
Cost estimate for Inspection Summary items
Learn what recommended repairs will cost
Estimate based on local costs
Request an estimate with just a click
Also included with Premium and Prestige Packages:
PTPFloor Plan
An accurate floor plan of the entire home
Use to determine furniture fit and placement
Share dimensions with contractors for estimating
PTPHomeManual
Powered by Centriq
The digital owner's manual for the home
Download user manuals/warranty information
Find safety recalls on appliances
Indicated age and useful remaining life of systems
*Where available. Not all services are offered by every office. Each office is independently owned and operated.
Experience the Pillar To Post difference. Schedule your next home inspection today!
Touch base.Always let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll return. Arrange for your office to call you to check in.
Don’t get lost. Know the exact address of where you’re going. If you use a navigation app, pull over and stop in a safe place if you’ve made a wrong turn.
Sense your surroundings. Is there questionable activity in the area of a property you’re showing? Is anyone loitering? Follow your instincts if you feel you should leave.
Don’t go it alone. Have an associate or other colleague host open houses with you.
Park for protection. At open houses, park on the street instead of the driveway so you can get away quickly if necessary.
Go on the defense. Learn some self-defense skills. Many health clubs, martial arts studios and community colleges offer basic classes.
Choose flight over fight. While self-defense is a good idea, the primary goal in any threatening situation is to escape from immediate danger and call for help.
Know who you’re dealing with. Ask for ID, take a photo of a client’s license plate. A criminal won’t be comfortable with this and may be thwarted.
Home Repair Expert Chooses to Capitalize on Expertise With His New Pillar To Post Home Inspectors® Business
Carter Hamm is the local franchise owner with Pillar To Post Home Inspectors®, the largest inspection company in North America. He serves homebuyers, sellers and agents throughout Northwest Louisiana.
(Shreveport, LA) “One piece of advice I know I can give,” said Carter Hamm, the new owner of Pillar To Post Home Inspectors, serving Northwest Louisiana, “Don’t skip your home inspection, no matter what, in this hot sellers’ market.”
No truer words according to a recent Investopedia article that gives you 10 Reasons Not to Skip a Home Inspection. Now the post-horror stories of skipping a home inspection are coming out daily. As far as choosing home inspection as a new career, these are industry facts.
The U.S. building inspector industry, measured by revenue, is estimated to have a market size of $4.9 billion in 2022, according to global research firm IBISWorld.
Carter, a former roofer, and plumber said, “I see the big picture and attempt to help others see it as well, by being a non-alarmist and focusing on solutions. My plumbing and roofing expertise will go far in my new career with Pillar To Post. As a businessperson I believe that adhering to principles and a genuine desire to help clients achieve their goals will ultimately lead to success in achieving my own goals.”
One of the many reasons Carter chose Pillar To Post Home Inspectors, is the innovative technologies the company introduced in 2021. These advanced technologies, along with the business model, provide an exceptional home inspection with unique and innovative features that are all delivered within a seamless brand experience. All developed pre-pandemic and ready to be utilized when the pandemic struck, the new features further highlight Pillar To Post Home Inspectors’ standing as a visionary in its industry. They are:
PTP360 is available with every home inspection and provides an interactive, 360-degree visual inspection summary that brings the inspection report to life and includes every room and a home’s exterior. It can be accessed anywhere, anytime from any device and shared with family or contractors.
PTPEstimates provides a cost estimate for inspection summary items. This upgrade is extremely useful for sellers who do a pre-listing inspection, letting them learn what recommended repairs will cost based on prices charged in their area. Estimates can be requested with one click.
PTPFloorPlan provides an accurate floor plan of the entire home. This useful upgrade can be used to determine furniture fit and placement, and also provide exact dimensions to contractors for estimating purposes.
PTPHomeManual is an upgraded service that provides a digital owner’s manual for a home, letting users download manuals/warranty information, find safety recalls on appliances, learn the age and useful remaining life of systems and much more.
“In my community I try to be a uniter,” said Carter. “I think as people, our differences are minor in comparison to our similarities, and that the golden rule really is golden.”
Founded in 1994, Pillar To Post Home Inspectors is the largest home inspection company in North America with home offices in Toronto and Tampa. There are nearly 600 franchises located in 49 states and nine Canadian provinces. They’ve ranked in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise500® for 25 years. Long-term plans include adding 500 to 600 new franchisees over the next five years. For further information, please visit www.pillartopostfranchise.com.
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