While buyers, sellers, tenants and landlords are distracted by the prospect of starting a new chapter, criminals are on high alert to take advantage of any opportunity that comes their way.
Sadly, real estate professionals often end up the victim while playing the middleman connecting buyers to sellers and tenants to landlords. That is why many implement some form of a vetting process before agreeing to meet with any new clients in person.
Adrian Goslett, Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa says that agents screen clients to protect themselves as well as their clients against theft, fraud & other opportunistic crimes. “Before agreeing to meet in person, an agent will usually request a copy of your ID and a copy of a pre-approval certificate if you are an aspiring buyer. This is to confirm that you are who you claim to be and that you can truly afford to purchase the properties in your given price bracket,” Goslett explains.
As a rule of thumb, Goslett recommends that agents meet new clients at the office or public place first. “Use this as an opportunity to get to know their needs before showing them a home or pitching them for a sole mandate.”
When showing a home by appointment, Goslett advises agents to visit the area beforehand and be aware of any hazards. “To protect against theft, sellers are advised to lock away valuables and any personal items, such as letters or bank statements. Never allow access to the property without the agent’s presence and after any showing, check the premises at the end to make sure no windows were jammed open or security features were tempered with,” he advises.
In addition to these precautions, RE/MAX of Southern Africa shares some best practices agents should implement in their day-to-day operations to ensure greater safety for both them and their clients.
Best safety practices
Install a safety app with panic button (such as iFearLess).
Try to schedule all appointments during daylight hours.
Avoid working late hours alone at the office.
Avoid using ‘vacant’ in property descriptions.
Have a safety protocol in place with your clients.
Establish an office code word for trouble.
Share your daily schedule with family, friends, or office administrator so that they know where to start looking in case of an emergency.
Ahead of any suspicious appointments, share your live location with a friend / colleague.
Always ensure your phone is fully charged & your vehicle has enough fuel to ensure a quick escape if needed.
Take self-defence classes and carry self-defence tools such as pepper spray.
Take a first aid course and carry a first aid kit in your car.
Know where the nearest medical centre and police station are, especially when driving to new areas.
Trust your instincts and always be vigilant.
“While we hope our agents and our clients never find themselves in a dangerous situation, it is always better to be prepared and be aware of the potential threats that exist when selling or letting homes. Implementing safety measures will reduce the amount of risk involved in these transactions and will go a long way towards keeping everyone out of harms way,” Goslett concludes.
Writer : Kayla Ferguson