It’s becoming a far too frequent new story. REALTORS and real estate agents attacked or even killed while trying to do their jobs. These are stories that simply need to stop being told.
While everyone is doing their best to earn a living it’s easy to forget that there are risks involved in our profession. It seems like a broken record to say this but it can’t be said enough… Use caution while showing homes to prospective buyers you have never met. Showing homes to strangers happens all the time. And of course there are instances where you get a call from someone to see a house they’re eagerly sitting in front of and you need to get there ASAP in hopes of making the deal. It’s an understandable feeling but remember that your safety is really the top priority.
If a potential buyer is serious, they should have no problem meeting you in a public place before seeing the home. If it’s too inconvenient to meet at your broker’s office then meet somewhere. There’s a coffee shop or fast food restaurant on just about every corner these days. Have the buyer meet you there and show their ID before you take them into the home.
The Cherokee Association of REALTORS office is also available as a meeting point if you’re in our area. In fact, we have joined Open Door Partners listing ourselves as a safe meeting place for REALTORS to meet their clients. Visit meetmeherefirst.com to learn more about this safety initiative and to view other establishments who are participating. We want you to be safe and successful.
