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REALTORS® Share Safety Tips for Home Buyers and Sellers

Christine Edwards
Communications Director
Space Coast Association of REALTORS®
2950 Pineda Plaza Way
Palm Shores, FL 32940
321-242-2211

REALTORS® Share Safety Tips for Home Buyers and Sellers

PALM SHORES, FL - October 18, 2018 - This month, the National Association of REALTOR® released the 2018 Member Safety Report, which surveyed over 3,000 REALTOR® members about how safe they feel while on the job, their personal safety experiences and the safety procedures they follow.

The report found that nearly a third of REALTORS® experienced a situation that made them fear for their personal safety or safety of their personal information and 43 percent of REALTORS® choose to carry self-defense weapons.

“REALTORS® understand better than anyone the safety risks associated with real estate transactions, so it is imperative to share safety protocols with home buyers so they can learn about what they may encounter during the home buying process,” said Mike Artelli, 2018 Space Coast Association of REALTORS® president.

The most common circumstances that resulted in fearful situations were open houses, showing vacant and model homes, working with properties that were unlocked or unsecured and showing homes in remote areas. Here are some safety protocols and guidelines from the Space Coast Association of REALTORS® that you should expect and keep in mind when working with a REALTOR®, which ensure a safe experience for all parties involved.

Meet at your agent’s office. Instead of meeting for the first time at a property, a REALTOR® may set-up the initial meeting at their office. “Most people would tell you that meeting at a real estate professional’s office is much more comfortable and appropriate for the first meeting and makes both parties feel safe,” Artelli said.

Secure your personal information. Your agent may make copies of your driver’s license and mortgage preapproval letter for their records. This allows the agent to keep a record of your information at their office to be stored in a secure place. So be sure to have these items on hand for your initial meeting. “According to the report, nearly 70 percent of real estate offices have standard procedures for safeguarding client data and information. Keeping this information safe and secure is an important step that ensures a safe agent and client relationship,” Artelli said.

Don’t view vacant properties at night. Your agent may only show vacant properties by day, so you can see what safety hazards exist, such as loose floorboards or any other defects. So when viewing a vacant property, expect to view it during daylight hours.

For more information on REALTOR® and consumer safety, visit www.realtor.org/safety.

About the Space Coast Association of REALTORS®

Since 1959, the Space Coast Association of REALTORS® has been a professional trade association that provides services to our local REALTOR® community. Our membership base is comprised of more than 4,100 REALTORS® and Business Partner Members that service Brevard County and adhere to a strict Code of Ethics when working with one another and the general public. The Space Coast Association of REALTORS® takes an active part in community programs and pursues projects our members support to further real estate interests. The protection of private property rights is always our top priority.

For more information, contact Christine Edwards at 321-242-2211 or via email at christine.edwards@space321.com.