Empowering Realtors through knowledge and awareness is a priority during September’s Realtor Safety Month as EXIT Southeast continues to highlight safety concerns and shares great tips from EXIT Realty East Nashville taken from an agent safety training course.[caption id="attachment_3957" align="alignnone" width="600"]

Sheila Tidwell and her EXIT Realty East Nashville team participated in a Realtor safety session.[/caption]

Realtor Safety Tips - Stay Alert

Staying alert is one of the top priorities says Sheila Tidwell, owner of EXIT Realty East Nashville. Sheila and partner, Connie Williams, said the additional training has helped them all be more prepared. Here’s more on their story recently highlighted in a Tennessean article& in this helpful video below.

New Client, Open House Tips

Hosting an open house is one of the many responsibilities of a realtor. It is essential to be alert in the case of an unsafe situation and when meeting prospective clients. Prior to hosting an open house, don’t schedule a private showing until you have met the client in person. Keep a visitor log book and have each potential client fill out a client identification form. Before heading out to your appointment, let someone know where you are going and when you will be back.

When meeting with prospective clients at the home, keep your personal information to a minimum, giving too much information could make you a target. Store valuable home or personal items in a safe place or hidden in your vehicle prior to the showing. While you are touring the home, always stay in the back, gesturing for your guests to go ahead of you. Keep an eye out around the home and think of possible exits if you need to get out immediately, it is always better to be prepared in these situations.

Precautions You Can Take as a Team

EXIT Southeast Regional Owners Stacy Strobl and Kenny Lynn encourage offices and teams to host regular safety seminars about ways to be more alert while on the job or partake in self-defense classes to boost self-confidence.[caption id="attachment_3838" align="alignnone" width="600"]

Realtor safety training and office protocol should be a priority says EXIT Southeast Regional Owners Stacy Strobl and Kenny Lynn.[/caption]Not only the month of September, but throughout the year, it is important to remind team members of these tips says Stacy.Kenny added, post ideas on your website, social media pages and emails or hand out checklists with reminders. Here's another great list of tips to consider:

• Valuable home or personal items should be stored in a safe space in the home or hidden in your vehicle.
• When you are at the office, use a visitor log book and have each potential client fill out a customer identification form.
• Know what thieves target at open houses and how to be precautious.
• Don‚Äôt schedule a private showing until you have met the client in person.
• When showing a home, always have your prospects walk in front of you. Guide them through each room so your back is never to them.
• Do not assume you are the last one in the home you have showed, be sure to check rooms and spaces before you leave.
• Upon entering the property for the first time, make sure you have at least one or two possible escape routes.
• Remember to keep your personal information private and to not share where you live, what you are doing later, etc.
• Have your excuse ready in case you feel uncomfortable and need to leave the premise. For example, someone has given you a call and you need to step outside to take it.
• Communicate to friends or coworkers if you are working late and are in a situation by yourself so they know where you are.
• Become familiar with the home you are showing as well as the neighborhood.

Join A Team Of Leaders

Across Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee, EXIT Southeast owners, brokers and agents are respected leaders in the real estate industry. Earning the #1 U.S. region in 2017 for EXIT Realty Corp. International, if you are looking to join an award-winning team of unstoppable professionals, contact EXIT Southeast Regional Owner Stacy Strobl at 412-LOVEXIT. (412-568-3948).