Meeting new people in new places is part of the way you do business as a real estate agent. These unique circumstances are why it’s so important for agents to adhere to basic safety practices throughout the course of the day. Here are our top 10 safety strategies for agents:

1. It’s always best to set up your initial meeting with a client in a public place or at the office.
2. If meeting with a potential buyer client for the first time, a good rule of thumb is to ask them to bring a pre-approval letter, which ensures their intention to buy a home.
3. You may also want to ask to see a driver’s license or another form of identification to verify their identity.
4. When showing a property, always let someone know where you are, what time you’re going, and what time you’ll return. You also may want to consider creating a safe word or phrase that you can use to alert a friend, colleague, or family member if you are in distress. Always keep your cell phone and car keys with you during a showing.
5. Utilize location finding devices such as Find My iPhone so the location of your phone can be easily tracked if necessary. There are also a variety of free or paid apps that can remotely turn your phone back on if it has been turned off, or dial a list of emergency contacts with the touch of a button.
6. Before a client arrives at a showing, do a drive-by of the neighborhood and a quick walk-through of the house to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. When going through the house, unlock doors and identify potential exits.
7. Let the client lead the way into a showing - it’s safer to follow them so you have them in your sight at all times.
8. Keep lights on, window coverings open, and avoid going into the basement, attic, or garage.
9. During an open house, keep a close eye on who is entering or exiting the premises. When closing up the house for the night, don’t assume it’s empty - check all the rooms before locking the doors. If you are in a remote area, have someone assist you with the open house.
10. Finally, follow your instinct. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to stop a showing, meeting, or open house and leave immediately.

The National Association of REALTORS® has a wealth of resources available on topics regarding agent safety, click here for more. Through a few simple and smart safety practices, you can have the peace of mind to focus on your success as a real estate agent.