July 8th, 2024 at 1:39 pm
1. Secure Valuables: Advise sellers to lock up or put away their valuables, including jewelry, cash, guns, and drugs. The concern is not just deterring theft. For your own personal safety, you also want to avoid potential altercations with possible thieves.
2. Identify Escape Routes: Inspect the house before the Open House to figure out several escape routes that you can use if needed. Make sure the doors and gates for your escape routes are not locked or obstructed.
3. Ready Your Car: As part of your planned escape route, make sure that your car is parked in such a way that you can get away quickly if needed. Park your car facing the street. Make sure that your car is not parked too far away, and that it cannot be blocked by another car.
4. Ready Your Phone: Make sure that you have cell phone service at the Open House, and that your phone is always charged.
5. Carry Your Getaway Items With You: Keep your phone and car keys on your person at all times. Store your essentials in your pockets or use a small crossbody bag.
6. Work in Pairs or Appear to Work in Pairs: Work your Open Houses with another agent if possible. Even if you are working alone, you can still make it appear as if there’s another person with you, e.g., by displaying a co-worker’s business cards alongside yours, and having 2 sets of bags, jackets, and water bottles.
7. Have Someone Keep Tabs on You: Regardless of whether you are working in pairs, let a loved one know where you will be, when you will be there, and when you’ll be calling in (e.g., every hour on the hour).
8. Invite People: Invite your co-workers, family, and friends to drop in to see the house, as well as check up on you.
9. Track Everyone: Keep track of everyone who visits the home, and make sure that everyone who comes in also leaves in a timely manner and before the Open House has ended.
10. Call 911: When in doubt, do not hesitate to call 911 for help.
-Thank You to Liz Milan (Pasadena Office) for suggesting this week’s legal tip!
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