REDZONE Reality Based Self Defense for Realtors
The Problem: Every day, agents interact with strangers and put themselves at risk. Men and women are put in isolated situations. The nature of showing real estate makes agents vulnerable to attack. Every year the statistics speak for themselves. Agents are faced with unspeakable crimes resulting in fatalities. We do not want to believe that crime can happen to us, but most people are unprepared for an attack. What would you do if you were confronted by a predator?
The Solution: To increase security and reduce liability, learn the essentials of Reality Based Self Defense for Realtors. It takes only a few hours, and agents will find the process interesting, educational and fun. REDZONE provides you with the fundamentals of safety and the strategies for security to help you make smarter time, money and life-saving decisions.
REDZONE Reality Based Self-Defense for Realtors Seminar
Learn how to fight back and gain confidence in yourself! REDZONE Reality Based Self Defense for Realtor’s is a hands on program designed to give you the tools to respond to REAL life attack scenarios whether showing houses, holding open houses or general everyday activities. This seminar includes situational awareness, personal protection and basic self defense techniques. You will learn safety in and out of the home and will also be taught a foundation of knowledge that you can call upon to survive an attack if necessary.
Realities Faced by Realtors
What do fire fighters, police personnel and Realtors all have in common? If you asked 100 people, the last thing anyone would say is that ALL THREE are dangerous professions, but all three can be. The Realtor has joined the ranks of those needing to be concerned about personal protection and self defense.
We have all heard about the real estate agent who has become a crime statistic. Most of you figure it won’t happen to you. You're right: chances are, it won't. However Real Estate is considered by security experts and law enforcement to be a high-risk profession. Agents are mobile, usually work alone, frequently interact with strangers, and visit unoccupied properties.
Think about it. Realtors work in an environment where they are VULNERABLE! They are quite often working late at night, probably alone in an office. They ride around in cars alone, again often late at night, to meet someone they might possibly have never met before. They pull up to a house or a commercial building that is empty, dark and find themselves entering - alone - to turn on all the lights and prepare an inviting atmosphere. Then the potential buyer arrives. This may be someone who the Realtor has only talked to on the phone. They do not know their mannerisms, their motives or their past. All they know is that they are dealing with strangers in unfamiliar circumstances and that they are alone. Is the buyer alone? Did he or she show up with people the Realtor wasn't expecting? If it were not for the fact that you are a Realtor making an honest living, this scene could easily be played out in mental movies with drug lords as your cast of characters, or worse. Are you beginning to get the picture? Realtor safety is a big concern causing more and more real estate professionals to seek prudence in matters of self defense. Realtors are beginning to grasp the idea that personal protection has become a part of the trade.
Are Realtors Prepared For Self Defense?
Realtor Safety factors are often neglected. Security, like a Real Estate sale should be planned for. Real Estate Agents normally place themselves within pretty risky predicaments and so they tend not to even think about it. How frequently have you gotten in to a car of a client you don’t know? Exactly how more often than not have you got into an vacant dwelling with you leading the way straight into the house? Either of these scenarios will surely have unfortunate result given the wrong client.
The key to not becoming a victim is awareness of your situation at all times, being mentally and physically prepared to protect yourself. Just pretend you are a gazelle at the watering hole, constantly looking around for the ever present predator.
What makes a criminal pounce? Intent and Opportunity. Their intent we have no control over, however we definitely can do something about the opportunity. Start thinking like a criminal. How would someone be able to take advantage of you? What throughout your day can put you at the peak time for a criminal to “come in for the kill”?
Basic Self Defense For Realtors Guidelines
Here are several potentially life-saving tips:
- Know your own prospects. By no means meet a first-time prospect at a property – based only on a telephone call. Meet at your office first. Inform the prospect that it is company guidelines to produce a copy of the driver’s identification of all customers. (Start using a prospect I . d . form) Additionally, introduce that individual to no less than two other folks in the office. Bad guys are more unlikely to take action whenever they think they’ll be identified. Remember Self Defense for Realtors is important.
- Develop a distress code. Any time you sense danger, you can make use of this verbal code in a phone chat to your own co-workers, friends, or family. The actual code is a tip-off you are in danger and want help. For instance, your own distress code will be the phrase “red file.” When you are in trouble, you would call your workplace and also say something like “Could you see if there is a RED FILE on the property?” The actual person on the actual phone would then understand to call 911 or take an additional action you’ve decided upon.
- Do not be too flashy. Wear traditional clothing and avoid jewellery that could cause you to be a target for theft. Real estate professionals frequently market themselves with photos, which can be dangerous, as perpetrators have been known to scan real-estate photos searching for victims. Help to make sure your business photographs are professional, not sexy, so that you do not attract undesirable interest. Additionally, don’t reveal excessive private information in your ads or in discussions with customers.
- Stay in the driver’s seat. Only use your own vehicle when showing a house so that you remain in control. When a client insists on driving, let him take his own car and follow at the rear of you. Also, be sure you lock the doors whenever coming into or departing your vehicle to stop criminals from assaulting after you are in the car, or even waiting for you in the car while you are running errands.
- Do not get stranded. Always keep your own automobile’s gas tank filled over a quarter-tank. Also, keep the following security tools in the car: a charged cellular phone, a battery jumper, a spare tire, and a roadside emergency kit which includes a flashlight and flares.
- At a minimum, bring pepper spray. Have a pepper spray dispenser easily accessible on your key chain constantly. Pepper spray is a chemical which causes short-term pain and even loss of sight when sprayed on an attacker. It also can be utilized against aggressive animals.
- Keep close track of the exit. During property showings, by no means walk into a room first. Instead, allow potential buyers to explore areas of the house by themselves, with you following behind to respond to their own questions. Avoid escorting prospects into basements or any other secluded areas, where one can become trapped. Always position yourself between the customer and also the exit.
- Check in frequently. Let your office and family know when, where, and with whom your prearranged appointments will be and when you expect to come back. Make it your own policy to check in every hour when you’re with consumers. If you don’t call to check within, the office should phone you immediately. Always keep in mind Self Defense for Realtors is like insurance, you never know when you will need it.
- Never state you’re alone. If you encounter an individual while working late at the office, never indicate to that person that you’re by yourself. Say something like, “My supervisor will be right with you and may have the ability to help you.” Likewise, if you are meeting a customer in a home for a showing, never say anything at all about the home being “empty.” Help to make it seem as though other individuals might be there. Self Defense for Realtors can be a very easy thing as long as you are always prepared.
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