Basic Self-Defense for Realtors

Today’s real estate market is experiencing its own ups and downs. Unfortunately, the agents themselves are sometimes in difficult situations. In order to reduce the level of risk, there are a few self defense basic to remember which can make the life or death difference.

The job is complicated by several factors: the homes or condos are often unoccupied, you don’t know the client, and you are often alone on site. Women are particularly vulnerable when showing a place alone, especially if the client is a male.

Suppose you are headed to an appointment with a male client you don’t know, in a vacant home, and your assistant is unavailable. Take some safety precautions before you walk out the door.

• Tell someone where you are going, who you are going to meet, and your estimated time of return.

• Be sure you have a cell phone with you and that its battery is adequately charged. If you have hands-free capability, so much the better.

• Carry something like a clipboard to hold your papers. The kind that has a storage area underneath the writing surface provides a place to carry writing instruments and other small items.

• Keep your keys within easy reach. Do not put them down and then wander through the property.

• Carry a personal protection device of some sort.

• Consider attaching a pepper spray or Mace container to your key ring.

• Consider wearing a mini stun gun of some sort in a holster or a pocket.

• Practice using your weapon. Figure out how to carry it, retrieve it and keep it within easy reach.

• Give someone a “by when” deadline. If the designated home base person does not hear from you by a given time, that person should call the authorities and start trying to find you.

The best thing to do is to leave if you become uncomfortable. Make an excuse if you must, but leave.

It could be the most important exit of your entire life.