PERSONAL SAFETY

2011 Real Estate Safety Survey.

2011 Real Estate Safety Survey. A joint safety survey was conducted by Agbeat, Moby, and S.A.F.E. (Safety Awareness Firearms Education), published as the 2011 Real Estate Safety Survey. According to the survey, over a third of respondents reported feeling either "frequently" or "occasionally" unsafe on the job, while over half believe that their loved ones are worried about their safety. Moby and Agbeat released their joint reports with emphasis on different key points from the survey's results

A safety mindset is an asset in practicing personal safety protocols. Complacency is an area of vulnerability; challenging safety assumptions can help combat it. When tragic or otherwise horrific incidents occur involving a real estate professional, personal safety is in the forefront of everyone's mind, but tends to fade in time. Promoting widespread industry change is a challenge; initiate your own personal changes. There are best practices to adopt that help reduce the opportunity of being victimized, such as while on showings and during open houses. Consider how you advertise: criminals have targeted their victims using ads and social media, circling photos, learning about vacant properties, and obtaining schedules for open houses. Showings are a time of vulnerability for an agent; it's recommended that the first meeting be in the office where you can gather information and most importantly, verify it. Best practices for showings/open houses include leaving valuables in the car's trunk, having a prearranged distress code, meeting/alerting the neighbors, and buddy up when possible. Defense options include technology such as having a charged cell phone and making use of a mobile safety app available to agents; self-defense tactics, and some consider carrying weapons.

Advertising. The following are methods of promoting your services and schedule, but these are also methods used by criminals to target victims. Therefore, each is worth consideration so you can determine how you will implement your own best practice for handling them. Photos: In your advertising, you want to portray an attractive, successful image. But it's a double-edged sword: in some crimes—as was represented in one of the case studies—advertisement photos were used to target victims. For example, many in the industry recommend against "glamour shots" that lean more toward glamour and less toward polished, business-like professionalism. When putting together your advertising, how you present yourself in a photo should be a consideration—or whether or not you will even use a photo. Sales success/numbers: Another consideration would be a common method used in the real estate industry for projecting success: advertising oneself as a top agent with X amount in sales. For some would-be robbers, this makes the agent prime for the picking—they "obviously" have the money, goes the criminal thinking. Vacant listings: How about advertising a home as "move-in ready" because it's vacant? While this is a selling point for some buyers, it has been used by criminals as a calling card. They make an appointment to view the conveniently vacant property—no chance of running into a homeowner at the same time. Social media: Having the ability to post in-the-moment onto social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter is a quick way to promote open houses, new listings, and details of your schedule and travel. It's also a way for criminals to track where you will be. For example, it's recommended that people don't advertise that they are either leaving for vacation or on vacation, because burglars like to receive that sort of notice. For agents, advertising that you are holding an open house at 123 Main Street and the home is vacant so buyers can better envision their furniture there can also be a signal to a criminal that you will be by yourself for a certain period of time. When advertising, think about the amount of information you share. Keep business and personal as separate as possible: no home address, home phone number.

Agbeat's report: 2011 Realtor Safety Report: examining a year of attacks on Realtors. news Agbeat released a report with a view toward uncovering any trends by performing an analysis of reported assaults, which included robbery, sexual assault and kidnapping. Here are some interesting highlights from the report: Thursdays had the most attacks, followed by Tuesday Afternoons were the most common time of attack Females were the majority of victims—but males accounted for a good-sized portion Under 30 age group had the least number of attacks, but all age groups were represented Majority of assaults occurred when victim was alone Most common guise to get the victim alone was to request a property tour Many attacks were planned out—and several assailants gave fake names Most assaults were done by one perpetrator, but some involved two Most common weapon used was a gun, followed by physical force Number one criminal intention: robbery Most occurred when plans were made to meet in a vacant home Many assaults that started out as robbery ended in murder The results of Agbeat's 2011 survey analysis could not pinpoint a specific trend on factors contributing to these assaults. The conclusion was that crime against real estate professionals is as unpredictable as any other crime. Source: Realtor Assault Study 2011. hoHANDOUT: You can access the report by clicking here. Final Exam is Available

Agbeat's report: 2011 Realtor Safety Report: examining a year of attacks on Realtors. news Agbeat released a report with a view toward uncovering any trends by performing an analysis of reported assaults, which included robbery, sexual assault and kidnapping. Here are some interesting highlights from the report: Thursdays had the most attacks, followed by Tuesday Afternoons were the most common time of attack Females were the majority of victims—but males accounted for a good-sized portion Under 30 age group had the least number of attacks, but all age groups were represented Majority of assaults occurred when victim was alone Most common guise to get the victim alone was to request a property tour Many attacks were planned out—and several assailants gave fake names Most assaults were done by one perpetrator, but some involved two Most common weapon used was a gun, followed by physical force Number one criminal intention: robbery Most occurred when plans were made to meet in a vacant home Many assaults that started out as robbery ended in murder The results of Agbeat's 2011 survey analysis could not pinpoint a specific trend on factors contributing to these assaults. The conclusion was that crime against real estate professionals is as unpredictable as any other crime.

personal safety

An example of a verbal red flag would be: A. someone telling you "you`re hot." Congratulations, this is the correct answer! 2. Rhonda has just been hit from behind and knocked to the ground. It is best if she can first: A. consider how to keep her wallet from being stolen. B. negotiate to be let go if she promises not to tell. C. calm her breathing and quickly assess options. This is the correct answer Feedback: In this situation, you would need to be able to quickly assess your options, such as your chances of getting to an exit. 3. Yolanda is with a prospect who keeps standing very close to her, making her want to step back. This is an example of: A. someone invading someone else`s personal space. Congratulations, this is the correct answer! 4. Common professions where "situational awareness" is taught do NOT include: C. farming. Congratulations, this is the correct answer! D. military. 5. Forms of nonverbal communication include all of these EXCEPT: D. sighing. Congratulations, this is the correct answer! 6. Sheila has a bad feeling about a prospect who just came in. This is an example of: A. gut instinct. Congratulations, this is the correct answer! . 7. The part of the brain that is responsible for those gut instinct feelings, the amygdala, can be described as: A. the insane part of the brain. B. our first alert system. This is the correct answer Feedback: The amygdala serves as a first-alert system that helps us react before our mind has taken its time to process and review and come to a decision. 8. To learn more about safety topics, you should do all of these EXCEPT: A. read related news items. B. read Commission updates. C. review the NAR site. D. wait for your broker to give you a handout. Congratulations, this is the correct answer! 9. Adopting two safety practices would be an example of a ___ start to improving personal safety. A. great B. exceptional C. useless D. good Congratulations, this is the correct answer! 10. If someone assaults you, you will want to get out for all of these reasons EXCEPT: A. you`re safer outside where you can scream and get help. B. predators like secrecy and seclusion. C. you have a better chance of getting to your car and away. D. the attacker will not follow you. Congratulations, this is the correct answer! Retake Exam Continue Course

Animal attacks. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics does include a category for nonfatal injuries that are a result of "violence and other injuries by persons or animal," but this number is again for those victims who missed work, and a much harder number to track for self-employed individuals. However, it highlights another area of concern for real estate professionals: walking into a home where either the home is abandoned and a pet has been left behind or animals have taken up residence, or a seller's overzealous pet tries to take a chunk out of you. One agent related how she spooked a cat when she entered a room. The animal hissed and growled, and as the agent tried to make an exit, the cat pounced, nails digging into bare leg skin. Some pets may adore their humans, but strangers make them fearful.

Best practices for first meetings. It's highly recommended that agents meet prospects in the office prior to going out on a showing or tour—and make sure the prospect is introduced to someone else in the office. Also, before going out to a first appointment for a listing or to meet with the owner of a FSBO, there are similar best practices you can incorporate. In the interests of your personal safety, you can perform a range of quick-checks to verify that the name and phone number you have been given are a match. Referencing back to the case studies you reviewed, reflect on how often business was done on the equivalent of a handshake: agents trusted people when they were given a name and phone number, only to learn later that the perpetrator of the crime played the odds that the agent would not do a verification of the information provided. Also, there was one unusual case in which an agent approached a FSBO. Only, the FSBO sign was used to lure in women agents. Criminals go to great lengths to create opportunities to make others a victim, so it's critical that you do what you can to stay a step ahead. Information to obtain includes: Driver's license: Ask for a copy of the prospect's driver's license, and verify it that the information you're getting isn't false, as some criminals have given an identification that later turned out to be a fake. To learn what to look for, go on the Virtual Field Trip below for tips to help you verify what you're reviewing. Car make and model and license plate number: Make a note of the make and model of the car of the prospect and the license plate number and pass that information along to someone in your office. Phone number: If a prospect contacts you directly, their number should be captured on your caller I.D. Make a note of it, and the name if it accompanies the number. Employer: Ask a prospect, "Where do you work?" If the prospect has called you, it's very easy to call the employer and confirm that they actually work where they've said they work—look up the number yourself. vft VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP: Want to know what to look for to recognize whether or not you've been handed a fake I.D.? Click here for security features you can se

Communication of whereabouts. Communicate with the office, family, friends, regarding your whereabouts. Here are the types of information you want to communicate: Who: The name of the prospect or client with whom you are meeting. What: The purpose of the meeting, such as view a property, sign an agreement. When: The time your appointment is scheduled. Where: The location at which you'll be meeting the prospect or client.

Complacency: the Enemy of a Safety Mindset complacency A key area of vulnerability for anyone is complacency. Being complacent is defined as "unconcerned" and complacency as "self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies." In short, it's when you let your guard down, comfortable doing business in the same traditional manner that it has always been done. After a tragic incident occurs, personal safety is in the forefront of everyone's mind, and offices scramble to move safety training onto schedules. But then it moves to the back as more pressing concerns—such as getting a closing completed or selling a home before it goes into foreclosure—take center stage. Brokerages, commissions and associations can give you the tools, but it's up to you to do something with those tools and to avoid that sense of complacency, the idea that dangerous situations can't happen in your state, region, or neighborhood. Think back to the 2011 Realtor Safety Report, as well as the other findings related to the steady increase in assaults on real estate professionals. Did any of the findings challenge your assumptions? For example, had you always thought that the real danger was in showing a property after dark, and therefore only did showings in broad daylight? If so, were you surprised to learn that the majority of assaults happened in the afternoon

Example of a safety mindset. Here's an example where an industry has long adopted a safety mindset. Let's say you walk into a car dealership. You wouldn't be able to point to a car and say "I want to take that out right now and give it a spin," and expect the dealer to say, "Here are the keys!" and you zip off. Or, you wouldn't expect that if you were to call a dealership and say, "Bring the black Ferrari out to 123 Tipton Lane so I can test drive it," that the dealer would say, "Sure—I'll be right out!" Nor would a dealer jump in a car along with a stranger off the street and give them a test ride. Before a car can leave the lot, you would be required to show a valid driver's license, at the very minimum. Some dealers may have even more stringent requirements before they let you drive off, such as proof of insurance. They don't do business out the gate with just a handshake, or take your word about your identity just because you give a name and say that you are licensed to drive, or because you pulled up in a nice car or dress in high-end clothes. If a dealer did that and someone stole a car, you would probably shake your head and say, "That dealer should have known better!" Instead, the car industry has trained us all as to what to expect: you provide them with proof of your identity, they excuse themselves with a smile and go verify that proof, and you wait patiently until they have worked through their procedure—the same procedure they use with everyone. Once they have gone through their steps, only then can you test drive. Are you angry? More than likely not: you know the dealership is protecting itself from the types of people who would come in, give false information, and drive off into the sunset with a car. You don't fault a dealer for being cautious because again, persons with criminal intent don't walk in with a sign advertising those intentions. They tend to look like any other prospective buyer. A real estate professional's life is worth incalculably more than a car, and yet many are hesitant to require anything of a stranger calling to see a property. Final Exam is Available

Industry hesitancy. Many real estate professionals—especially those who have been the victims of an assault—are often surprised by just how difficult it is to get attitudes in the industry to change. Here are some sample comments that represent some of the prevailing viewpoints: "We're in a relatively safe area of the country..." "We tend to trust people here in this area..." "We've always done things this way..." "Everyone knows everyone around here..." These comments—random quotes from real people pulled from news articles—show complacency, the thought that what has always been, will always be. Complacency does not allow for the unusual, the out of character, or the out of place. It's easy to think crimes against real estate professionals only happen in the "Big City"—that maybe only New York City agents would experience this sort of thing. But think back to the case studies you reviewed: they were a representative example of every part of the United States—there was no promise of assault immunity because the prevailing attitude was, "Can't happen here." Assaults take place in million-dollar properties, on rural properties, and in homes nestled in quiet suburbs. Think back to the safety study in which an analysis determined there was no pattern, no specific trend: the crimes against real estate professionals were random. One thing you can count on is that perpetrators of crime play on law-abiding people's expectations of safety, trust, and complacency.

Introduction Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 2: Developing Safe Business Practices » » Lesson: Best Practices and Procedures Page 7 of 14 Slide: U3C1L3S7 • Print Slide Best practices for first meetings. It's highly recommended that agents meet prospects in the office prior to going out on a showing or tour—and make sure the prospect is introduced to someone else in the office. Also, before going out to a first appointment for a listing or to meet with the owner of a FSBO, there are similar best practices you can incorporate. In the interests of your personal safety, you can perform a range of quick-checks to verify that the name and phone number you have been given are a match. Referencing back to the case studies you reviewed, reflect on how often business was done on the equivalent of a handshake: agents trusted people when they were given a name and phone number, only to learn later that the perpetrator of the crime played the odds that the agent would not do a verification of the information provided. Also, there was one unusual case in which an agent approached a FSBO. Only, the FSBO sign was used to lure in women agents. Criminals go to great lengths to create opportunities to make others a victim, so it's critical that you do what you can to stay a step ahead. Information to obtain includes: Driver's license: Ask for a copy of the prospect's driver's license, and verify it that the information you're getting isn't false, as some criminals have given an identification that later turned out to be a fake. To learn what to look for, go on the Virtual Field Trip below for tips to help you verify what you're reviewing. Car make and model and license plate number: Make a note of the make and model of the car of the prospect and the license plate number and pass that information along to someone in your office. Phone number: If a prospect contacts you directly, their number should be captured on your caller I.D. Make a note of it, and the name if it accompanies the number. Employer: Ask a prospect, "Where do you work?" If the prospect has called you, it's very easy to call the employer and confirm that they actually work where they've said they work—look up the number yourself.

Key Points for Unit 1 Respondents to the 2011 Real Estate Safety Survey reported feeling either frequently or occasionally unsafe on the job. Top concerns for survey respondents include viewing vacant properties, hosting open houses, and viewing REOs, short sales and foreclosures. The conclusion of the 2011 Real Estate Safety Survey was that no predictable pattern could be determined from an analysis of assaults. While many assaults started out as robbery, a number of them ended in murder; the most common guise to get the would-be victim alone was to request a property tour. According to the National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 2013 saw more deaths for the real estate profession than the year before. Other statistics support an increase in assaults. Animals are included in the BLS non-fatal category as "violence and other injuries by persons or animals." The real estate profession has unique risk factors that go hand-in-hand with conducting business, including meeting strangers and showing homes that may be empty or secluded. Case studies serve the purpose of raising awareness while also providing details as to how criminals create opportunities to victimize others. No gender is safer than the other when it comes to victimization. Strangers as well as people you know, such as former clients, can be dangerous; former clients can be disgruntled about a deal that they feel didn't work out in their favor. Asking for, and then verifying information given by prospects prior to a showing is a safety practice that can protect homeowners, as well as the agent. Distracted driving includes four types: visual, auditory, manual and cognitive. Studies show that drivers are distracted anywhere from 25% to 50% of the time, and up to a third of crashes involve at least one distracted driver. The two top driving distractions are talking on a mobile phone and texting.

risk factors and vunerablity Respondents to the 2011 Real Estate Safety Survey reported feeling either frequently or occasionally unsafe on the job. Top concerns for survey respondents include viewing vacant properties, hosting open houses, and viewing REOs, short sales and foreclosures. The conclusion of the 2011 Real Estate Safety Survey was that no predictable pattern could be determined from an analysis of assaults. While many assaults started out as robbery, a number of them ended in murder; the most common guise to get the would-be victim alone was to request a property tour. According to the National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 2013 saw more deaths for the real estate profession than the year before. Other statistics support an increase in assaults. Animals are included in the BLS non-fatal category as "violence and other injuries by persons or animals." The real estate profession has unique risk factors that go hand-in-hand with conducting business, including meeting strangers and showing homes that may be empty or secluded. Case studies serve the purpose of raising awareness while also providing details as to how criminals create opportunities to victimize others. No gender is safer than the other when it comes to victimization. Strangers as well as people you know, such as former clients, can be dangerous; former clients can be disgruntled about a deal that they feel didn't work out in their favor. Asking for, and then verifying information given by prospects prior to a showing is a safety practice that can protect homeowners, as well as the agent. Distracted driving includes four types: visual, auditory, manual and cognitive. Studies show that drivers are distracted anywhere from 25% to 50% of the time, and up to a third of crashes involve at least one distracted driver. The two top driving distractions are talking on a mobile phone and texting.

Key Points for Unit 1 Respondents to the 2011 Real Estate Safety Survey reported feeling either frequently or occasionally unsafe on the job. Top concerns for survey respondents include viewing vacant properties, hosting open houses, and viewing REOs, short sales and foreclosures. The conclusion of the 2011 Real Estate Safety Survey was that no predictable pattern could be determined from an analysis of assaults. While many assaults started out as robbery, a number of them ended in murder; the most common guise to get the would-be victim alone was to request a property tour. According to the National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 2013 saw more deaths for the real estate profession than the year before. Other statistics support an increase in assaults. Animals are included in the BLS non-fatal category as "violence and other injuries by persons or animals." The real estate profession has unique risk factors that go hand-in-hand with conducting business, including meeting strangers and showing homes that may be empty or secluded. Case studies serve the purpose of raising awareness while also providing details as to how criminals create opportunities to victimize others. No gender is safer than the other when it comes to victimization. Strangers as well as people you know, such as former clients, can be dangerous; former clients can be disgruntled about a deal that they feel didn't work out in their favor. Asking for, and then verifying information given by prospects prior to a showing is a safety practice that can protect homeowners, as well as the agent. Distracted driving includes four types: visual, auditory, manual and cognitive. Studies show that drivers are distracted anywhere from 25% to 50% of the time, and up to a third of crashes involve at least one distracted driver. The two top driving distractions are talking on a mobile phone and texting. The amygdala—your brain's internal alarm system—gets activated when someone oversteps the personal space boundary. Someone with bad intentions may be trying to force an intimate closeness so it's easier to put you in a threatened position, or using physical closeness as a tactic to intimidate.

Lesson: Crime Studies, Statistics and Perceptions for the Real Estate marketIndustry

Lesson: Crime Studies, Statistics and Perceptions for the Real Estate marketIndustry In this lesson, we will take a look at survey results and other reports that present detailed analyses of the safety picture for real estate professionals, including crime statistics and other risk factors for the real estate industry

Lesson: Distracted Driving dash You're having a busy week, with so much going on you can barely keep track. As a self-employed professional, you need four hands instead of two. You are on the go, and your business is largely mobile—sometimes you may feel you live out of your car, a roving office. Safety risks aren't always perpetrated by others: sometimes, we unwittingly put ourselves in risky situations—such as conducting business while our vehicle is moving. This is distracted driving. The Governors Highway Safety Association released a report, Distracted Driving: What Research Shows and What States Can Do. The report lists four types of driver distraction: Visual: looking at something other than the road Auditory: hearing something not related to driving Manual: manipulating something other than the wheel Cognitive: thinking about something other than driving The report cites a study in which 100 drivers were observed during the span of one year. It was found that drivers were distracted between 25% and 50% of the time, and in up to a third of crashes, at least one of the drivers was reported to have been distracted. ho HANDOUT: To read the Distracted Driving report, click here.

Mobile apps. In addition, the attacks that have occurred in the real estate profession have prompted the development of mobile personal safety apps. Here are some examples: Real Alert: Created in 2011, this is an app that allows an agent to call 911 or a friend with just a couple of taps or to push another button to emit a high-pitched alert to scare off an attacker. Agents Armor: This app can be armed before heading out. An agent can give a "voice note" to provide the location they're going to, and a description of a prospect's vehicle. An image of the prospect's photo I.D. can be scanned. Check-in alerts are sent, and if no response, designated contacts are emailed and also receive a text message, along with the agent's GPS location. It also takes a duress code, and 911 can be accessed from each screen. SOS (StaySafe!): This personal safety app can be utilized by using three clicks or giving it a shake to activate the device. This will send an agent's location and real-time GPS tracking, an emergency message, and a recording of an agent's situation to their chosen contacts. SafeTREC: With this app, a panic button can be put on an agent's phone which connects with a 24/7 call center and emergency contacts, and if needed to 911 along with the agent's GPS location. MyForce: With this app, you arm it when you're out, say at an open house, and if you need to send an alert, you press a button and a live agent notifies the authorities to get you help while also listening, recording, and tracking you. Kitestring: This app sends you a text message, and you reply to that message. If you don't reply, your emergency contacts get an alert message. It does not require a smartphone. StaySafe®: This app provides a GPS tracker and notifies emergency contacts through an email or text message if there is no check-in.

Moby's report: State of Our Safety, Real Estate Safety Report 2011. Moby released a report based on the 2011 Real Estate Safety Survey, and the highlights included personal perceptions on safety concerns and frequency of training. The top areas of safety concerns for respondents at the time of the survey were: Viewing vacant properties (55%) Hosting open houses (40%) Viewing REOs, Short Sales, Foreclosures (31.2%) Private showings was in the top three in the previous year's survey report. After the tragic news of Beverly Carter's death in September 2014 while meeting someone posing as a prospect for a private showing, it is probably foremost in the minds of agents again today. Source: State of Our Safety, Real Estate Safety Report 2011.

Nonfatal injuries, illnesses and assaults. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics tracks nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses that result in days away from work, but because real estate brokers and salespersons are self-employed, this may be a much more challenging number to track. However, according to REALTOR®Mag, there were 940 nonfatal assaults in 2010 for real estate and rental leasing professionals, a number they cite as having steadily risen—up from 170 in 2008! The Realtor Assault Study was done in 2011, and the surveyors reported an increase in assaults again.

Options for verifying information. verify You may get a phone call to meet someone and all you receive to start with is their name and number. You can begin doing a preliminary verification using these suggestions: Online search: You can go online to Google.com and plug in anything. So, use it as a quick search tool. For example, you get a call to meet someone to show a property. You explain that your policy is to meet everyone in your office first. They put up a bit of resistance about driving out to your office to meet first, saying, "That's on the other side of town. I'm really interested in this property—maybe I should call another agent..." Yes, competition is real, so you have a decision to make: scratch the office meeting, or let this prospect do what they have to do and maybe call someone else. Or, maybe you decide on a middle ground: to meet at a local coffee shop. Even with mobile technology and a signal, you can access the internet and do a quick Google search of the information you've been provided so far. You can find out all sorts of information about a person. Reverse phone search: If the number came across your cell phone and didn't provide an identifying name, you can do a reverse phone number lookup search. You can use http://www.whitepages.com/ for a landline. For landlines and cell phones, there are a range of sites. One is http://www.spydialer.com/. However, many sites that you can use to search cell phone numbers do charge a fee for a report, as well as search memberships. Family Watchdog: This site, http://www.familywatchdog.us/, is a national sex offender registry you can use to look up potential sex offenders. County property records: Before going out to an appointment for a listing or to talk with the owner of a FSBO, you can do a quick search through a property tax and assessment database. You can search based on the county to verify the owner of the property.

Practicing situational awareness. Situational awareness is a habit that can be developed. You don't need a crash course in military-style combat readiness: you do need to decide when and how to be present in a given situation. You can practice by making it a point during the day to stop and consider your surroundings: Who is around you, and how close are they to you? What are the people around you doing? Where are the exits? If you plug in like this each day, you will soon do it automatically and it will become second nature, a habit to be present and aware in the moment. While situational awareness is not full-proof—a savvy criminal will find a way to distract you, if possible—it is a safety practice that can reduce the odds of being caught off-guard.

Risk factors. There are multiple risk factors that go hand-in-hand with what real estate professionals do in the course of conducting their professional business. These include: Meeting strangers in empty or secluded homes, either through showings or by holding open houses Listing homes that have long been empty—and may have squatters inside (human or animal) Conducting business in a variety of neighborhoods, some that may be less safe than others Marketing services using face shots to promote the personality behind the name Advertising sales numbers/number of homes sold to promote capabilities Ferrying prospects and clients around in your personal vehicle Many professionals outside of the industry advertise in a similar manner. The one distinguishing factor, however, is that a real estate professional's business is conducted in a largely mobile environment, while other professionals are generally office-bound in familiar territory surrounded by co-workers. While agents can be threatened or assaulted in their offices, those who would victimize them usually see agents as easier targets when the perpetrator can get them alone.

Risk factors. There are multiple risk factors that go hand-in-hand with what real estate professionals do in the course of conducting their professional business. These include: Meeting strangers in empty or secluded homes, either through showings or by holding open houses Listing homes that have long been empty—and may have squatters inside (human or animal) Conducting business in a variety of neighborhoods, some that may be less safe than others Marketing services using face shots to promote the personality behind the name Advertising sales numbers/number of homes sold to promote capabilities Ferrying prospects and clients around in your personal vehicle Many professionals outside of the industry advertise in a similar manner. The one distinguishing factor, however, is that a real estate professional's business is conducted in a largely mobile environment, while other professionals are generally office-bound in familiar territory surrounded by co-workers. While agents can be threatened or assaulted in their offices, those who would victimize them usually see agents as easier targets when the perpetrator can get them alone. Final Exam is Available

Safety in the office. If you work in the office, you may be working with others nearby or there may be times when you find yourself alone. Your office may or may not already have a policy about locking doors and other security measures such as a process for how to handle walk-ins, what types of access visitors to the office have (i.e. Are they able to roam around freely, or is there a protocol for escorting visitors to a conference room?), and what types of information to collect from visitors, such as the use of a visitor's log. If there is not a policy in place, suggest to your broker (or, as the broker) that the team work together to develop one. Considerations to include: Process for handling visitors Policy for locking doors Management of sensitive records Access to premises such as keys or key cards

Safety risks aren't always perpetrated by others: sometimes, we unwittingly put ourselves in risky situations—such as conducting business while our vehicle is moving. This is distracted driving. The Governors Highway Safety Association released a report, Distracted Driving: What Research Shows and What States Can Do. The report lists four types of driver distraction: Visual: looking at something other than the road Auditory: hearing something not related to driving Manual: manipulating something other than the wheel Cognitive: thinking about something other than driving The report cites a study in which 100 drivers were observed during the span of one year. It was found that drivers were distracted between 25% and 50% of the time, and in up to a third of crashes, at least one of the drivers was reported to have been distracted.

Self-defense. There are a range of self-defense options you can learn, from basic self-defense tactics to studying one of the many martial arts—and study means a commitment of time and effort. The only caveat for self-defense tactics is that they shouldn't provide a false sense of security and make you drop your guard. Keep in mind that the human body is only so much defense against a gun or a knife in the hands of an attacker. Here are some options: Self-defense classes: many communities offer workshops or classes to teach simple self-defense tactics. Karate: utilizes a mix of precision punches and direct kicks. Krav Maga: this is a form of martial arts used by the Israeli military Boxing: requires a level of speed and the ability to pack a punch, but doesn't require a lot of technique training other than practice if you aren't planning to use it in the ring. If learning self-defense techniques interests you, do your research. Find out what's offered in your area, and ask friends and family for recommendations. Martial arts practitioners tend to have strong opinions on why their particular school of practice is the best, but you will want to find what works best for you. Many schools will let you try a class for free to get a feel for it, or at least observe a class so you can get a better idea of what's involved.

Situational awareness is something that is taught in several professional sectors where danger is a part of the job, including firefighting, police work and the military. Situational awareness is simply being in a frame of mind where you are plugged in to what's going on around you. This makes it useable by anyone. While you are not a soldier or a police officer, as you have seen, the real estate industry faces some challenges that most other professionals never have to deal with, so borrowing from the best can help you manage those challenges. Here's what situational awareness is not: being in a state of high alert at all times. This level of awareness—as if the risk of danger is immediate—is not sustainable because it's exhausting, and while the real estate industry contends with certain risk factors as we've seen, an agent is not in the middle of military combat. Rather, situational awareness is a mindset you hone with practice until a 'being present' consciousness becomes habit and you automatically minimize distractions in certain situations. For example, you may be distracted while you're in your office: talking on the phone with one of your listing clients, sifting through file folders for a contract, while also trying to answer an email—everything all at once, but you would limit such distractions and stay focused on your surroundings and the person you are with while out showing a property to a prospect. That focus is situational awareness.

Slide: U2C1L1S6 • Print Slide Bureau of Labor and Statistics. The federal Bureau of Labor and Statistics provides numbers for "fatal occupational injuries" broken down by occupation type. Real estate, for purposes of their census, is categorized as "Real Estate and rental and leasing." The numbers by category do not equal the total number of fatalities because subcategories are not separately shown in the report. Also, these numbers include landlords. Here's a look: National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2012. There were 61 total fatal injuries under real estate for 2012, with the majority of that number broken down among these four categories representing a percentage of the total: Homicides: 26 Roadway: 18 Fall, slips, trips: 23 Struck by object or equipment: 8 National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2013. There were 63 total fatal injuries under real estate for 2013, with the majority of that number broken down among these four categories representing a percentage of the total: Homicides: 25 Roadway: 14 Fall, slips, trips: 21 Struck by object or equipment: 5 Keep in mind that these numbers represent strictly fatalities: they do not account for the number of assaults and robberies that real estate professionals have endured

The Real Estate Safety Council was formed as a nonprofit organization in response to the 2001 tragic death of Michael Emert, an agent who was based in Washington. Their mission is to provide safety resources. The site provides a safety guide, posters, and tips. There is also a safety video you can view using the link belo

Think back to the 2011 Realtor Safety Report, as well as the other findings related to the steady increase in assaults on real estate professionals. Did any of the findings challenge your assumptions? For example, had you always thought that the real danger was in showing a property after dark, and therefore only did showings in broad daylight? If so, were you surprised to learn that the majority of assaults happened in the afternoon? One of the single best ways to combat complacency is to challenge your assumptions and consider that things can go from ordinary to extra-ordinary at any random moment.

Unit 2: Developing Safe Business Practices » » Lesson: Adopting a Safety Mindset Page 1 of 3 Slide: U3C1L1S1 • Print Slide Lesson: Adopting a Safety Mindset lifesaver One of your biggest assets in practicing personal safety protocols is your mindset. While most people won't say it out loud, there is a voice inside that tends to reassure and says "That couldn't happen to me." No one wants to constantly brood over various 'what if' situations and assume everyone is out to cause them harm, nor does anyone want to think of themselves as a victim. It's natural to push those thoughts off as scary—and not necessarily realistic or plausible. Also, most people have a strong fear of being considered paranoid. Paranoia isn't healthy, right? To constantly be in a state of dread and fear is exhausting, so it's not particularly effective in the long-run. The perfect medium between "not me" and "everyone is out to hurt me" would be to have a healthy respect for people and their capabilities and intentions: both good and nefarious. It's with this mindset that you can establish a system of procedures that you use because looking out for your own safety is the smart thing to do, and is an integral part of your overall professionalism as a self-employed business person. A boogeyman doesn't always look like a boogeyman, so judging someone as 'safe' just because they aren't wearing a dark trench coat, a mask, and don't have a hook for one hand while clutching a knife in the other is not a safety mindset. Unfortunately, many professionals seem to be relying on just that simple a view of criminals

Vulnerabilities. The way real estate agents conduct business is a vulnerability, because those with criminal motives use it against them. Think about the "instant service" that the public has come to expect of a real estate professional. For example, the availability of having an agent sitting in a home conducting an open house, available to answer questions on the fly. Or, having someone call to say, "I saw your sign at 123 Property Road—can you meet me out here now so I can see it?" This traditional way of conducting business provides opportunities for agents to meet potential buyers, but it also poses risks. Open houses are visited by potential homebuyers, neighbors, and people who just happened to drive past and saw the open house sign. The door is open, and the agent is waiting inside. "For Sale" signs entice from curbsides, often with the picture of the professional on the sign. Generally there are no problems. However, playing with safety as a favorable odds or numbers game is not a safety strategy. There are criminal-minded people who use these very sales tactics to target intended victims. Some cases have indicated that the perpetrator specifically targeted a victim based on their picture alone. It is the very nature of the real estate professional's willingness to accommodate that can lead to their being targeted simply for doing their job.

While at a showing or open house. There are best practices you can adopt while meeting with someone that can help you increase your personal safety. Here are some examples: Purse: Leave your purse hidden in your car or your car's trunk while showing a house or conducting an open house. Jewelry: Avoid wearing flashy jewelry on the job. It's sad that you work hard and want to display your best, but unfortunately it may draw the wrong kind of attention. Distress code: Have a prearranged distress or emergency code you can use if you experience discomfort or trouble; one suggestion is to call the office for a certain-colored folder, and this alerts your office that you are in an unsafe situation. Or, you could use a made-up acronym. For example, "We need to run a 41P on this property at 123 Maple Lane." The "41P" can be a predetermined alert that someone in your office or a family member recognizes to mean you are in an uncomfortable situation Time of day: It has been long recommended that you show property during daylight hours, and if that's not possible, ensure that you get there in enough time to turn on all the lights. Don't let time of day offer a false sense of security, or deter you from your other safety procedures, though: keep in mind the results of the 2011 Real Estate Survey. Per the results, afternoons were the most likely time of an attack. But remember in one of the case studies—the agent had made a 10 a.m. appointment. Meet the neighbors: Go next door to let neighbors know you are going to be showing a home; then you can mention in casual conversation how you just met the neighbors to let them know what you're doing there. Be polite—and safer: Don't turn your back during showings—adopt an "after you" policy, and don't get in a position where you are cornered in a room: stand near the door as the prospect walks around the room. Buddy up: Whenever possible, if not always, take a buddy with you when showing a property—especially don't show empty or secluded homes alone. Parking: Park on the street so you won't have your car blocked in. Those with bad intentions prefer anonymity, so may be dissuaded from coming into the office or first meeting in a public place. They may say they don't have time, they are in a hurry, or they don't want a 'run-around' or a 'hassle'—they just want to be shown the property. If you receive resistance, you can state that these practices are safety procedures that professionals use to protect themselves and the homeowners with whom they work. Those with good intentions understand when a real estate salesperson or broker has procedures in place that protect them. Even if customers feel they are having to take an extra step, anyone who doesn't understand is a fish you may want to let escape the net.

Weapons. gun There are proponents who are for carrying a weapon of some sort. Others feel it's a bad idea because someone can take the weapon and use it against you. And weapons also aren't foolproof: if you are taken by surprise, you won't be able to access the weapon. You can also become dependent on carrying a weapon and put yourself in unsafe situations because you feel protected. This is a wholly individual choice, and there are laws that govern the carrying of a gun, and in some states, stun guns and defense sprays, for example. Weapon options that have been suggested include: Pepper spray: This is exactly what its name suggests—pepper in spray form. It stings the eyes when activated. Products include small canisters that can be carried on the keychain, in a pen, or clipped to a pocket. Stun gun: The goal of a stun gun is to temporarily incapacitate an attacker, using the jolt of an electrical charge. Knife: There are a range of knives, from folding to the kind you carry in an ankle strap. Carrying a knife is serious business and a decision to carry shouldn't be taken lightly, as you can't wave a knife at someone who makes you feel uncomfortable and then later claim self-defense. Gun: A gun, needless to say, is also serious business. It requires proper training and practice. The choice to carry a gun (or a knife) brings a high degree of responsibility, as these are lethal weapons. Also, a lethal weapon can be taken from you and then used against you. If you feel carrying a gun is something you want to do, make sure you know the law about carrying, and get the training and practice you need so you can safely handle the weapon. Dog: There have been agents known to bring their protective family pet with them to show a property. This may put off potential buyers, but it may be a handy option for a time when you can't get a buddy to join you on an Open House in a rural area, for example.

eapons. gun There are proponents who are for carrying a weapon of some sort. Others feel it's a bad idea because someone can take the weapon and use it against you. And weapons also aren't foolproof: if you are taken by surprise, you won't be able to access the weapon. You can also become dependent on carrying a weapon and put yourself in unsafe situations because you feel protected. This is a wholly individual choice, and there are laws that govern the carrying of a gun, and in some states, stun guns and defense sprays, for example. Weapon options that have been suggested include: Pepper spray: This is exactly what its name suggests—pepper in spray form. It stings the eyes when activated. Products include small canisters that can be carried on the keychain, in a pen, or clipped to a pocket. Stun gun: The goal of a stun gun is to temporarily incapacitate an attacker, using the jolt of an electrical charge. Knife: There are a range of knives, from folding to the kind you carry in an ankle strap. Carrying a knife is serious business and a decision to carry shouldn't be taken lightly, as you can't wave a knife at someone who makes you feel uncomfortable and then later claim self-defense. Gun: A gun, needless to say, is also serious business. It requires proper training and practice. The choice to carry a gun (or a knife) brings a high degree of responsibility, as these are lethal weapons. Also, a lethal weapon can be taken from you and then used against you. If you feel carrying a gun is something you want to do, make sure you know the law about carrying, and get the training and practice you need so you can safely handle the weapon. Dog: There have been agents known to bring their protective family pet with them to show a property. This may put off potential buyers, but it may be a handy option for a time when you can't get a buddy to join you on an Open House in a rural area, for example.

Safety Key Points Developing Safe Business Practices » » Key Points for Unit 2 Page 1 of 1 Slide: U3C1L5S1 • Print Slide key Key Points for Unit 2 A safety mindset is an asset in practicing personal safety protocols. Complacency is an area of vulnerability; challenging safety assumptions can help combat it. When tragic or otherwise horrific incidents occur involving a real estate professional, personal safety is in the forefront of everyone's mind, but tends to fade in time. Promoting widespread industry change is a challenge; initiate your own personal changes. There are best practices to adopt that help reduce the opportunity of being victimized, such as while on showings and during open houses. Consider how you advertise: criminals have targeted their victims using ads and social media, circling photos, learning about vacant properties, and obtaining schedules for open houses. Showings are a time of vulnerability for an agent; it's recommended that the first meeting be in the office where you can gather information and most importantly, verify it. Best practices for showings/open houses include leaving valuables in the car's trunk, having a prearranged distress code, meeting/alerting the neighbors, and buddy up when possible. Defense options include technology such as having a charged cell phone and making use of a mobile safety app available to agents; self-defense tactics, and some consider carrying weapons.

eloping Safe Business Practices » » Key Points for Unit 2 Page 1 of 1 Slide: U3C1L5S1 • Print Slide key Key Points for Unit 2 A safety mindset is an asset in practicing personal safety protocols. Complacency is an area of vulnerability; challenging safety assumptions can help combat it. When tragic or otherwise horrific incidents occur involving a real estate professional, personal safety is in the forefront of everyone's mind, but tends to fade in time. Promoting widespread industry change is a challenge; initiate your own personal changes. There are best practices to adopt that help reduce the opportunity of being victimized, such as while on showings and during open houses. Consider how you advertise: criminals have targeted their victims using ads and social media, circling photos, learning about vacant properties, and obtaining schedules for open houses. Showings are a time of vulnerability for an agent; it's recommended that the first meeting be in the office where you can gather information and most importantly, verify it. Best practices for showings/open houses include leaving valuables in the car's trunk, having a prearranged distress code, meeting/alerting the neighbors, and buddy up when possible. Defense options include technology such as having a charged cell phone and making use of a mobile safety app available to agents; self-defense tactics, and some consider carrying weapons.

riminals pre-select their victims and create the opportunity to commit their crime, or else they recognize and take advantage of an opportunity when it appears before them. For a real estate agent, those opportunities are the industry risk factors such as an agent who is alone showing a vacant home. There are also other factors that go into a criminal deciding to target a person. Would-be criminals are like any other predator: they prey on who they think is weak and will create the least amount of trouble. One of the things a predator takes note of is how aware a person is of their surroundings. What they're sizing up is their potential for success with very little risk to themselves. So, for example, if a person's back is turned and they're busy talking or otherwise distracted, they won't see the person behind them reach from behind to grab them around the throat and therefore may be too surprised to react quickly and fight back. Another thing to consider is body language. Here's an example. Let's say you are a person who has criminal intent. You are walking down a street looking for someone's purse to snatch. There are two women walking toward you. The one on the left has her head up, shoulders back, and eyes casually looking around. She is walking with purpose, and as you get near, she makes eye contact with you. Your eyes slide away and over to the woman on the right. Her shoulders are slumped and she is looking down, peering at her cell phone. She doesn't notice you and even stumbles a little on an even piece of the road. So, of these two people, whose purse are you going to go for? In other words, which one provides the likeliest chance of reward: the purse, with little fight in return? This is what someone with criminal intent does: they size up a person. Those who are aware and in the present may be more of a risk because the element of surprise won't be something to count on—and the intended victim might fight back because their brain won't skip a few beats trying to figure out what's going on.

PERSONAL SAFETY

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