A Realtors Personal Safety Guideline

A major concern for realtors is personal safety. Many times the realtor is working alone in showing a property, having an open house, or manning the model house in a new subdivision. Some personal safety issues should include:

On the first meeting of a client, have them meet you at the office. Get as much personal information as
possible. A copy of the drivers license is a good start not only for safety, but also for the client
database.

If you have a strange feeling about the client, dont show property by yourself. Ask a co-worker to go
with you; at worst you might have to split the commission. If you are manning an open house and you feel that you might be in danger, leave the property and call for help.

Always drive your own car to the property as this might be the only means of escape. On the way make
notes on the type of car, color, and license plate number and call the office with this information.
Once at the property make sure your car is not blocked and you have an easy escape (no backing-up).

As you are showing the property, always have the client lead you; this allows the property to present
itself and keeps the client where you can see them. Make sure they sign-in on the registry and if the
office does not have the information on the client, get the information to them. Your office will know
you are with a client at this time.

Keep your keys and cell phone close and easy to access. If need be, keys can be effective weapon of
surprise. If you have a handbag, keep it with you at all times or locked in the trunk of your car. Know
the property, not only do you look more professional, but safer; your client does not know all of the
exits as well as you should.

Take a few self defense classes, as a few minutes head start out of the property means the difference in
a safe escape and being trapped. Take the first chance for escape and dont try to talk your way out;
keep your advantage. The more time you spend in a dangerous situation means a diminished chance of a safe exit.

Let the client see that you have contacted your office and the office knows who you are with. It is also
a good idea to have a secret code for trouble such as Pick up dog food when you dont have a dog. It
is also a good idea to set your phone to vibrate as your client will not know if you are calling or if you are receiving a phone call.

If there is an emergency your office can play a vital role. Make sure they have the make of your car, its color, and license plate. If you are using a different car that day, make sure they have its description as well.

Make sure your office has your schedule for the day and that you check in on each appointment. If you
are hosting an open house, make sure you have a registry book for clients to sign in. See if you can
also include the clients car description. Tell the client it is just in case they get a parking ticket and you want to document the reason for parking there or some other reason.

Many of these points may already in practice for the profession. Look to these procedures as also a
safety concern. These safety tips should become second nature with little thought to be truly effective.
Being an agent means sometimes you will work alone. With todays cell phones and e-mail capabilities and some careful thought, you will be safer and will be in contact with help quicker.

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Steps to a Successful Urban Redevelopment Project

Youve got a project with exceptional architecture, youve completed months of review and modification, your design team is sure this project will get significant notoriety, yet after hours of going back and forth in City Council meetings, they ask you to cut the project in half, increase the setbacks, or just drop the project altogether.

Does this sound familiar?

Developing commercial and residential projects in urban areas require special care. While some urban areas are on the verge of new developments, misunderstanding and community opposition can block even the best designs.

You can reduce risks by taking a thoughtful approach to the process. Some residents and politicians demand programs be based on trust, openness, and consensus building. This should not mean you compromise your design. Executing these ten important steps can result in strong design and a smooth process.

Consensus doesnt mean that everyone agrees, its more about showing respect for different opinions, developing relationships, and identifying shared goals to establish positive public opinion so the project will gain community and government acceptance. Its important to nurture supporters and expose the extremists.

The following 10 points should be addressed:

1) Create the vision. Its about design, not density. Establish a vision early by connecting it to local settings and looking for ways to build partnerships. Good design attracts people.
2) Know your market. Do the homework necessary to understand the competition and the market forces that influence a project.
3) Understand the issues. All communities have a set of unique characteristics and issues that guide their decisions. Its essential to have a good understanding of the marketplace, environment, regional influences, and financial aspects. There is no single solution.
4) Get the public benefit. Make the benefit for the city & community clear.
5) Pay attention to everyone who has a stake in the project. Have small discussion groups to get their feedback.
6) Establish trust. Do this by sharing knowledge and listening carefully. Be honest, encourage participation from everyone, stay neutral and pursue win-win goals.
7) Inform decision makers. Meet one-on-one and provide solutions to educate decision makers.
Use the media. Take the high road and keep the message simple. Talk about helping the community.
9) Use the unique. Incorporate the areas physical social and historical environment into the design.
10) Be patient . Listen carefully, provide guidance, establish credibility, and let the process grow.

By using these ten points, several revitalization plans have been completed in the face of strong initial community resistance. Guided by strong visions which have been established by working with city programs launched to solicit feedback and educate everyone have had a profound effect in the success of revitalization efforts.

Implementing major public and private improvements can convert old spaces into lively gathering places for community activity.

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