Dayton Area Board of Realtors

By Jan Leverett

As we begin a new year, Dayton Realtors would like to thank 2018 president Bob Morrison for his leadership through an exciting year. Morrison appreciated the opportunity to present these columns, and he thanks the readers for all of the feedback he received.

Our new president, Jan Leverett, will continue with real estate articles for 2019 with an emphasis on helping buyers and sellers get the most from their real estate experience.

The National Association of Realtors recently released its 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.

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 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 his or her 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.

Secure your personal information

Your agent may make copies of your driver’s license and mortgage preapproval letter for his or her records. This allows the agent to keep a record of your information at the 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.

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. If you are interested in selling or buying a home, be sure to contact a Realtor today, a member of Dayton Realtors. Have a safe New Year!