There are many security concerns when it comes to open houses, but your personal safety should be first and foremost. Your seller's security is also a priority, as an open house is an invitation to strangers to come inside. Not everyone you are going to meet intends to purchase the home, and a few may have criminal intentions.

Here are some fundamental safety strategies that you can adopt with every showing of an open house:

• Never work an open house alone. Bring another agent or a mortgage broker along. They can help you register guests, or accompany one group to view the home while you work with a second group.

• Make sure your cell phone is freshly charged before you hold an open house. Keep it handy. Practice dialing 911 without looking at the dial. Hopefully, you will never need this skill, but if you do, you'll be ready.

• When you initially approach the property, check out the neighborhood and look for anything out of place, i.e. something that doesn’t seem right. If there is any doubt, seek assistance.

• As you approach the home, make sure no one is paying unwanted attention to you or following you.

• Walk the perimeter of the home. Notice all exits including doors and windows as possible escape routes. See what the exits are in the back yards or alleyways. Notice locks on fences and gates.

  Once you enter the home, have your cell phone handy. It would be a good idea to be on your cell phone talking to a family member or someone from the office to let them know you have arrived while you check out the home. Keep them on the phone until you are satisfied that the home is secure. If anything happens to you, they can call for assistance.

• Check all rooms for someone who might be in the house. Be ready to run or to defend yourself.

• Keep all exits unlocked for an easy escape. Leave the front door wide open. If the homeowner is present, this will not be necessary.

• Use the time while you are waiting for prospects to make as many phone calls as you need to. It puts doubt into a would-be attacker's mind if he or she finds you are on the phone. Keep your phone in your hand when prospects are in the house. Don’t leave your phone on the countertop.

• Handle all prospects in the same manner and by the same rules. If you make it clear to all prospects that they must sign a register and leave their identification with you while they view the home, then you are following a policy to protect the seller as well as yourself. Legitimate prospects won't mind and may be favorably impressed. They'll think, "She'll be just as protective of our home."

• Write all identification numbers down on your log.

• If you do have to work an open house alone, throw attackers off the scent. As soon as any prospect walks in, say, "We're expecting a lot of people today, and my partner Bruno will be along in a minute to help me. Meanwhile, would you sign our register, and let me copy your identification? It's a policy we have to protect the seller." (Fair housing laws require that all consumers are treated equally. Don't invite a discrimination suit by relaxing your rules for some prospects and becoming stricter with others. Also, state regulations may dictate how far you can go. Check with your local real estate association or a real estate attorney for better guidelines.)

• Common sense says don’t turn your back on your new prospect. Let them lead the way. You direct them to their left and right explaining what they are viewing. Always gesture for them to go ahead of you. Be conscious of their every move. Your focus should be on them, not the home.

• Don’t abandon your new prospects while others are walking in. Make an effort to greet the new arrivals and size them up before the ‘safe’ prospects leave. Don't be shy about asking people to stay if a new arrival makes you uncomfortable. Listen to your instincts.

• If someone comes in who makes you feel uncomfortable while you are alone, practice your 911 call. Be ready to push the dial button. If you feel that you are in danger, leave the home and seek assistance.

• If despite your precautions, you are reported missing or found incapacitated, your record-keeping could give investigators important clues to find your attacker quickly. Keep an active log and detail the day's events. If you are able, jot down the license plates of prospects, in case your attacker left and came back. Make note if a couple arrived, but only one person gave you their identification. Put your business card with the time you arrived in a location that investigators can easily find it.

  Published: March 4, 2002

  Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws -- http://www.loc.gov/copyright.

  
  

  
  
  

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  Robert L. Siciliano is the author of The Safety Minute, Safety Zone Press, and a professional speaker on the topic of self defense and personal and property protection. He has been featured on CNN, Montel Williams, Sally Jesse, and the Howard Stern radio show. Robert is available to speak to brokers, associations, and to conduct seminars and workshops for industry events. Visit his Web site at www.realtysecurity.com or contact him at robert@realtysecurity.com

  
  
  Copyright © 2002 Realty Times^®. All Rights Reserved.