Part I. A Realtor's Teachable moment on how to be safe
As a Broker/Owner and being in the business over fifteen years (licensed in Georgia and California); I discovered learning to do things differently requires hard work, but it is a must-specifically for our safety- “Realtor’s Safety First.”
This is not a time to be fearful. We must arm ourselves with Information. Information is Power! With that said, we must become Powerful with Information; but taking it a step further, we must be willing to Network with others, sharing ideas and experiences; at the same time act wisely and take prompt actions to be safe!
Can we talk?
For many years, while showing homes and during Open Houses, I would have my husband help put out the signs; but after the signs were out, I would tell him to leave and come back in 3 hours. Mostly all of the times, I would be in the residence alone welcoming strangers in to tour the property. I never thought about safety or had an emergency plan, if the unexpected happened. Thank God, no violence or physical harm happened to my team or me.
Looking back now, I know this was not acting wisely. It was not Wisdom. Remember: Wisdom is knowing what to do-when to do it-how to do it-who to do it with and the courage to do the right thing, in spite of what is the norm and customary. A Realtor (especially a female) making a decision to be alone at any home showing and/or Open House alone, and even being in the office alone (after hours), is not a wise thing to do. Cases in Point:
