By Vicki Trapp, AHWD, ASP, CRS, GRI, SRES, SRS, President
Greater Chattanooga Association of REALTORS®
It is ironic that as REALTOR® Safety Awareness month comes to a close, we are learning about Beverly Carter, a REALTOR® in Little Rock, Arkansas, who has been missing since last Thursday. Beverly was doing what we all do – showing property and helping consumers achieve the American dream of home ownership.
As of the time of this posting, the search for Beverly continues, and I pray for her safe return to her family. The Find Beverly Carter Facebook Page was created to aide in Beverly’s search and provides updates to that regard. Unfortunately, Beverly’s story is not uncommon to our industry.
So many REALTORS® have had an experience when showing property that made us uncomfortable. And in recent years, stories similar to Beverly’s have made national headlines, putting a spotlight on the dangers of our profession.
Safety is the talk you need to have with every client. There are simple steps sellers can take to safeguard against theft, including valuables and prescriptions drugs, which make open houses targets for thieves and addicts. In many markets, open houses are becoming more and more a thing of the past. Not only do open houses typically not get the home sold, open houses can make the home and the hosting agent vulnerable to danger.
Buyers also need to hear from you about why you take the precautions you do when showing property, especially to persons unknown to you. It is impossible for us to have a personal connection to every person with whom we work to find their next home. While some buyer’s may balk at your refusal to meet with them alone and/or your insistence on photocopying their driver’s license or other identification, it is for your own good.
And let’s not overlook listing appointments and homes for sale that are not listed with a real estate licensee. These scenarios are ones in which to be cautious, too. We do not always know the potential seller who asks us to come make a listing presentation. What steps do you take prior to meeting with the homeowner? Do you take someone with you? Do you alert someone in your firm as to your whereabouts and expected return?
Most real estate transactions involve two competitors working together on behalf of buyer and seller to get to the closing table. Since REALTORS® compete with each other, we think nothing of bragging in our advertising about the millions of dollars in sales volume credited to our efforts. We think this kind of promotion can help us land the next listing or buyer client. Yet, the public doesn’t always understand that REALTORS® do not have million dollar incomes. In most cases, that could not be further from the truth. REALTORS® are in a service business. So are lots of other professionals – doctors, lawyers, accountants. Yet, we seem to be ones who drop everything, including our guard, when the phone rings. It’s time to rethink our behavior.
Safety is something we should focus on all the time, not only during September’s REALTOR® Safety Month. We want so badly to accommodate our clients and help them find their dream home that, at times, we are too trusting and let down our guard. I cannot urge each of you enough to follow safety precautions every day when meeting with clients and customers. No commission from a real estate transaction is worth risking your life.