REALTOR Safety
The recent news of the abduction and slaying of an Arkansas real estate agent has many local REALTORS® talking about their safety and the measures they need to take while working with perspective clients. Brokers are now discussing company policies and best practices when it comes to the safety of the agents who represent their firm. REALTORS® are not employees, working for themselves to make a living, and should be taking the necessary steps to take precaution while showing property.
Many consumers may believe that pre-screening and an initial meeting or phone call with a REALTOR® is unnecessary before viewing a home on the market. However, it is no different than TSA screening a person or luggage at the airport. The most important thing for any REALTOR® is to understand their customer, making sure that he or she can meet their needs and find a property to suit them. TSA is a type of pre-screening to make sure we are not traveling in harms way and we only take with us what we need.
The best interest of both parties in a real estate transaction is an initial meeting, keeping all involved informed of the necessary steps to move forward, or if it is right to move forward.
Real estate industry standards for showing property require customer information. Don’t be alarmed when an agent is asking for a full name, contact information and a copy of a driver’s license. The National Association of REALTORS® suggests more detailed information that includes name and phone number of an employer, type of car, and its plate number. As a consumer, giving information like this is best after the initial meeting.
REALTORS@ are not the only industry that should have concerns for safety. In fact, this news should have all business reviewing safety policies and procedures. Wanting to impress the the importance of REALTOR® safety, the Asheville Board of REALTORS® is putting together a Real Estate Safety Presentation with Sheriff Van Duncan on Monday, October 6, 2014 at 3pm at the board office. “We have a responsibility to give access to informative safety information to our members, having Sheriff Duncan participate in ensuring accurate and current information is important to all of us on staff,” stated David West, the current Association Executive at the Asheville Board of REALTORS®.
The presentation is open to REALTORS®, Brokers in Charge and members of the Asheville Board of REALTORS®. RSVP by calling the Board of REALTORS® office at 828.255.8505 or by emailing [email protected].
