Safety is and always will be a top priority for C.A.R. and its members. With a new year upon us, we want to share and refresh some safety tips and tricks to help make 2012 as safe as possible.  Showing a new home to potential clients can be an exciting experience, but if you’re alone, working late, or in a remote location, it can also be dangerous. Open houses can be prime targets for criminals and people aren’t always who they seem.  Being aware of basic safety guidelines can increase your chances of not becoming a victim and keep your daily business activities fun, profitable, and safe. C.A.R. has established 8 safety tips to keep in mind when on the job:

  1. Don’t host an open house alone; take along a colleague. Never show properties alone at night or advertise it as vacant.
  2. Always have prospects meet you at your office the first time. Get a license plate number and leave it at the front desk. Just explain that it is office policy; a client who means no harm won’t mind.
  3. Always take your own car for showings. When you leave your car, lock it.
  4. Let potential buyers take the lead when exploring a home, with you following behind. Avoid going into the basement or confined areas with a prospect.
  5. Be careful how you dress. Flashy or expensive jewelry might attract the wrong kind of attention.
  6. Preview the property ahead of time so that you are familiar with the area.
  7. Always carry a cell phone where it is easily accessible (not in the purse you left in the car or stowed in a kitchen cabinet.)
  8. Implement a buddy system. Enlist at least 5 colleagues or close friends that you can rely on in case of emergency. Let them know your whereabouts prior to showing a property and trust that they will have your back.