Keep Safety in the Foreground During Showings

Keep Safety in the Foreground During Showings
Andrew Wooten, a crime-prevention expert based in Jacksonville, Fla., offered some safety tips for home sellers during a recent webinar sponsored by the National Association of REALTORS®.

He noted that while real estate professionals generally "do a good job" of relaying potential risks to their clients, "safety often takes a back seat" when the sales professionals are hurrying to prepare for a showing.

Wooten said people should always trust their instincts and be careful if they become suspicious of someone touring their home. They should not allow strangers to enter their home without an appointment, especially if they are alone. They should ask for a visitor's driver's license, address, phone number, and license plate number; take down a physical description; and provide the information via phone to someone as an extra safeguard.

Unknown agents should be told to enter using the lockbox, and all the lights should be turned on and the shades and curtains opened during a showing. Among other things, sellers should remove valuables from the home, allow prospects to enter a room first, refuse to answer any unusual and unnecessary questions, and plan an escape route just in case.


Ernesto Vega P.A., GRI, CIPS
Broker President
Realty World South Florida
Office (954) 880-2553
Fax (954)602-9525
Direct (954) 646-5677
Email evega@RWSF.com
Web www.RWSF.com
Governor Broward Chapter MiamiRE
Director, Realtor Association Of Miami Dade County 2007-2010
F.A.R Honor Society Member
Master Broker Forum, Member
REO BOSS Certified