Safety First

The Alberta Real Estate Association (AREA), along with its member Boards, has taken the lead on a number of initiatives that speak to the safety of their members. The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) thinks this is an important enough message that it bears repeating – and has these tips to offer to all real estate and mortgage brokerage licensees to help ensure their safety.

• When working out of the office, make sure someone else knows where you are and with whom you are meeting.
• Carry a cell phone with you and pre-program an emergency number into it for one-touch dialing.
• Avoid meeting clients or customers for the first time at secluded or private locations. Particularly for a first meeting, choose a public place such as a coffee shop.
• If you have ever have any concerns about a consumer with whom you are working, invite another professional along with you or refuse to work with the individual
  (discuss this with your broker if it requires a change in representation for
  the consumer). Some situations that may raise concerns include:
  • If your client seems more interested in your personal life than in purchasing a home/obtaining a mortgage.
  • If your client seems to have researched you and your personal life beyond exploring your professional background (i.e. tracking you down through social media, ‘creeping’ your personal social media pages).
  • If you’re member of the Alberta Real Estate Association, download the Guardly smartphone safety application (for more information about it, click here).

And most importantly, trust your instincts. If something or someone doesn’t seem right to you – maybe there needs to be further scrutiny of the situation and you should avoid working with the individual(s) in question.

What kind of precautions do you take to ensure your safety? What safety advice do you have for other real estate and mortgage brokerage licensees?