Welcome to Clovis Realtors

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In January 2001, Mike Emert, a Bellevue Washington based real estate agent and a young family man, was brutally killed with a knife. Although Mike apparently put up a struggle, he died of multiple stab wounds in the home he was showing. Mike’s death shocked the citizens of the Northwest and galvanized the support of his co-workers and the entire real estate community. Mike’s tragic death inspired the formation of the Real Estate Safety Council. This non-profit group organized the production and distribution of the personal safety guide, safety posters, and a Web site dedicated as a safety information resource. In addition, the Council has developed recommended office procedures and forms for real estate offices.

The National Association of Realtors offers these safety tips for sellers and agents:
· Put valuables in a safe, secure place, including prescription drugs.
· Wear clothing with pockets so you can always have your keys with you.
· Never carry large amounts of cash or credit cards.
· After an open house or standard showing, make sure all doors and windows are locked because thieves commonly use open houses to scout for valuables and possible points of entry, then return after the agent leaves.

Many real estate office managers routinely discuss safety practices with their agents but few have any hard and fast rules and agents themselves say that they often knowingly take risks because it is the only way they can conduct business. Local Real Estate boards conduct occasional safety courses and some, such as the Kentucky Board of Realtors, have published booklets on crime prevention for their membership. The National Board of Realtors® (NAR) has designated the week of September 10-16, 2006 as the fourth annual REALTOR® Safety Week, stating that more than 54 percent of all respondents to a recent survey reported that they had experienced safety concerns, incidents, or harassing situations on the job. Law enforcement officials, real estate boards, real estate trainers, and others routinely advise agents to observe some common sense safety precautions.

REALTOR® Safety Tips:
Always meet a client for the first time in the office. Introduce him or her to coworkers and make it clear that they know you are taking him out of the office. Try to take separate cars but if that is not possible you will have slightly more control if you drive. Do not meet a client at the property, particularly if he is calling on a yard sign. He will already have had a chance to note if the property is vacant.

Get a license plate number and leave it at the front desk. Just explain that it is office policy; a customer who means no harm won't mind. You might also leave an itinerary for your house tour.
Don't identify a property as vacant to a caller on an ad or sign.

When showing property to a stranger, follow rather than lead him through the house. Don't let him get between you and the door. At an open house, take up a position as close to the door as practical.
Always carry a cell phone where it is easily accessible (not in the purse you left in the car or stowed in a kitchen cabinet.) Make sure emergency numbers are programmed into the speed dial.

Ask the office manager to control keys to the office and to place deadbolts on the doors. If you are alone in the office at night draw the shades and do not admit anyone you do not know well and trust.

Go with your gut. If something doesn't feel right, if anything raises the hair on the back of your neck escape the situation immediately. You might feel like an idiot but don't worry about it.

Police have also noted an increase in crimes where a woman sets up the victim, even for sexual assault. Women agents tend to be much more trusting of another female and let down their guard. Until you really know a customer, remain vigilant regardless of the gender, appearance, dress, or charm. It could save your life.

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