fbpx

3 Important Tips For REALTOR® Safety Month

View of Wilmington North Carolina from across the river

Did you know that September is observed as REALTOR® Safety Month? Now is a great time to brush up on some useful safety tips and tools while committing to keeping safety top-of-mind while on the job!

Social Media

Social media usage has an impact on your safety, especially today. Depending on how active you are on social media and the content you want to post, you may want to consider setting up separate personal and business accounts on Facebook, Twitter, etc. This will help protect your personal photos, posts, and other details about you from being accessed by people you don’t know. When posting, stay away from sharing your daily activity, like where you are going, how long you will be there or if you will be alone. This way, it is hard for others to know your whereabouts.

Property Showings

When meeting a client for the first time, your office or another public space are good options. Always let a fellow agent or someone in your office know who, when and where you are meeting. Make sure that your phone is fully charged before arriving to an open house, showing, or client meeting, and if necessary, carry a portable charger or power bank to charge your phone on the go. When showing a home, park your car in front of the property rather than in the driveway. You will avoid having your car blocked in, and if you need to make a quick exit, it will be easier to drive away. Leave the front door unlocked for a quick exit while you and the client are inside. And, as you view each room, let the client enter first. Follow your instincts and keep your guard up to potential predators and always have “an out.” If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable in any situation, leave.

Download these Safety Apps

Being safe while showing homes is a very real and serious part of a realtor’s job, and today’s technology is making it easier. Here are some of the top personal security tools!

V.ALRT provides a discreet device can be carried in a pocket or a bag or worn as a bracelet or pendant. When you push the button, it pings your smartphone and sends personalized texts to three emergency contacts. These messages indicate that help is needed while also providing your GPS coordinates.

Homesnap Pro is an app that works as a safety timer when a realtor goes to a showing with an unfamiliar client. The realtor can set a timer for how long they expect to be at the location and select their emergency contacts. If the timer expires, a text message will be sent to your emergency contacts. Instant distress alerts can also be sent to emergency contacts with just one tap.

Unfortunately, the risks realtors face seem to grow more frequent and more complicated. Ways to stay safe on the job, however, remain simple. Know how to react appropriately to your situation, be aware of your surroundings, and empower yourself with careful precaution and technology. Want more resources and safety tips? Visit NAR or National Association of REALTORS® to learn more!

6 Smart Strategies to Build Home Equity

Simply defined, home equity is the percentage of your home’s value that you own, and it is the key to building wealth through homeownership. It can be your greatest financial asset, your largest component of personal wealth, and your protection against life’s unexpected expenses. Here are six ways on how to successfully build your home equity!

4 Maintenance Tips to Get Your Home Ready for Spring

A change of seasons always necessitates a few home maintenance chores, and spring marks a great time to tackle some tasks outside in the fresh air. From roof repair to foundation drainage, these chores will get your home in shape from top to bottom!

The Down-Low on Down Payments

While a 20 percent down payment is considered ideal, it’s not actually as common as you might think, nor is it a necessity to buying a home.

ALCOVA-color-bar
color-bar-mobile
Facebook
Twitter
GooglePlus
Youtube
Linkedin
Instagram
Better Business Bureau A+ Rating

 

 

 

 

Equal Housing Lender LogoALCOVA Mortgage LLC | NMLS#40508 | (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org)
Licensed in AL, AR, CO, DC, FL, GA, IN, KY, MD, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV |
308 Market St SE, Roanoke, VA 24011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equal Housing Lender LogoALCOVA Mortgage LLC | NMLS#40508 | (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org)
Licensed in AL, AR, CO, DC, FL, GA, IN, KY, MD, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV |
308 Market St SE, Roanoke, VA 24011