Here are several steps you, the real estate agent, can take to protect yourself before you step foot on the property...

1. Communication plays a vital role when you're showing vacant property. Know who you are dealing with. Insist that you have information recorded both at the office and with you about the client.
2. Notify a colleague of your schedule and whereabouts.
3. Be sure your cell phone is serviceable in the area in which you are showing the property.
4. When the property is vacant, be aware of the time of day you are showing it. Showing a property at dusk or after dark, with no electricity on in the space you are showing, is not advisable.
5. Get to know all prospective clients before showing the property. Use your intuition. If you feel uneasy, have someone else come along or don't show the property.

What you carry with you while showing a property or hosting an open house, for example, a charged cell phone-could help you avoid any number of potentially dangerous situations.

Three Things to Carry with You.

1. Have your cell phone with you at all times. Have emergency numbers pre-programmed on speed dial.
2. If possible, carry your wallet, keys and other valuables with you, or in an inside pocket rather than your purse. Your purse should be used to carry hairbrush, make-up, etc.
3. Carry credit cards and checks instead of cash-and carry only the cards you'll be using. Maintain a record of all account numbers safely at home.

Four Things to Leave Home, in the Office, or in Your Car's Trunk.
What you leave securely at your home or office could limit your losses from theft. Here is an outline of what to bring with you during your workday, and what to leave safely behind.

1. A purse. If possible, don't carry a purse at all. If you can't do without a purse, carry a shoulder bag securely between your arm and body. Better yet, carry a purse worn over the shoulder, but under your coat.
2. Large amounts of money. The first rule is to limit your losses.
3. Unnecessary valuables. This includes expensive jewelry and electronic equipment.
4. A lethal weapon. It could be used against you.

Safe Marketing is Smart Marketing
Keep your safety in mind when you're preparing or updating the marketing materials and information you make public:

1. All of your marketing materials should be polished and professional. Don't use alluring or provocative photography in advertising, on the Web or on your business cards. There are many documented cases of criminals actually circling photographs of their would-be victims in newspaper advertisements. These victims were targeted because of their appearance in their photographs.
2. Concentrate on your professional proficiency rather than personal information in newspapers, resumes and business cards.
3. Limit the amount of personal information you share. Don't use your full name with middle name or initial. Use your office address rather than your home address-or list no address at all.
4. Make phone numbers hard to trace. Rather than use your personal cell phone or home phone number-which can be typed into some Web sites to find your home address-consider using a toll-free number. This can't be traced and prospects may appreciate the free call. You can have calls to this number automatically forwarded to any phone. Alternatively, you can block your own phone number from showing up on caller ID. Ask your telephone company if they can permanently add caller ID block to your line. (Note that they may charge a fee for this service.) Or you can dial "*67" before you dial the number. If you have caller ID blocked permanently, dial *82 to unblock for a given call.
5. Be careful how much personal information you give verbally as well. Getting to know your client does not need to include personal information about your children, where you live and who you live with.

GETTING YOUR BUSINESS MESSAGE OUT TO YOUR CUSTOMERS
ARTISAN FOTOS MEDIA AND PRINT SERVICES has been keeping pace with new media technologies within the Real Estate Industry for you. We are also helping real estate agents by providing ways to make it affordable. We are here to show you the way.
Reach out to us for more help and information.

Contact us for more info

WEBSITE LINKS:

HOME PAGE
REAL ESTATE GRAPHIC DESIGNS
REAL ESTATE OPEN HOUSE PRINT BROCHURES
REAL ESTATE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES
REAL ESTATE OPEN HOUSE VIDEO DVD
REAL ESTATE VIDEO HOUSE TOURS
REAL ESTATE WEBSITE DESIGN & WEB PAGES
REAL ESTATE DVD PORTFOLIO / DVD LISTING PRESENTATIONS
REAL ESTATE SAFETY
CONTACT ARTISAN FOTOS COM