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Posts tagged ‘Personal’

Feb 4

Personal Safety – Complacency Can Kill

Good Morning Professionals,

With the news on the front page of the Victoria Times Colonist this morning about the murder of 24-year-old Lindsay Buziak while showing a house, I’m sure we’re all thinking about our own experiences with clients that just didn’t feel right. Remember, if in doubt, get out. That sale isn’t worth it. You might anger a legitimate client, but anyone worth dealing with would understand your need to take care of your personal safety. You might save yourself a headache from a difficult client or even worse, your life.

I never met Lindsay, but [edit for clarity: she had paged me to show one of my listings on Saturday].

Here are a few safety tips for REALTORS®:

  1. When you are introduced to new clients, meet them in your office first.
  2. Photocopy a client’s driver’s license, obtain the car make, and license number.
  3. Ask them to complete a client identification form and verify the client’s identity.
  4. Let your office know where you are, your schedule, and who you are meeting when going to a property.
  5. Limit the amount of personal information you share about yourself with a client.
  6. Be friendly with neighbours near the listed home and let them know when you will be showing the property.
  7. Program speed dial on your cell phone for 911 and use it when danger first appears.
  8. If you get a strange feeling about someone, pay attention to those gut feelings.
  9. Pre-plan escape routes from each level of a home, before you show it.
  10. Ask a friend to join you at a showing with a client that makes you somewhat uneasy.
  11. Arrive at the location in separate vehicles.
  12. Take a self-defense course.
  13. If you’re showing several properties, phone your office occasionally to check in (if you’re suspicious or fearful of someone, use these calls as a reason to return to the office immediately — BE CREATIVE).
  14. Never put yourself at risk to avoid social awkwardness. You have every right to be cautious. When in doubt—don’t.

The REALTOR® safety guide can be found here.

The real estate community in Victoria extends its deepest sympathies to Lindsay’s family.

Be careful out there.

EDIT: I’d love to hear your comments on safety. Any personal stories or suggestions? Use the comments form/link below.

–Tim Ayres

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Nov 15

On Perks Of The Job

Every job has its perks, here’s one in real estate.

One of the true joys in my working life is when I get to work with people I know. As  REALTORS®, we are constantly promoting ourselves and our services, and are honoured to get the business of strangers who like what our marketing materials say. I am much more honoured when a close friend or relative seeks my professional advice and service in such a major, life-changing decision.

A friend that retains your services places in you a great deal of trust, as any client would. I would argue that the level of trust is even higher – that person is more vulnerable than an arms-length client since he or she knows you already and doesn’t want to jeopardize the relationship you have by – oh, I don’t know – firing/suing your ass if you screw up. They also trust you more than any other client and will always take what you say as the absolute truth – unless you’re in the habit of lying to your friends.

Recently, Jay and Seana, a couple I met shortly after relocating to the Island in 2005 decided to sell their Langford townhouse and move into a single family dwelling. Shameless plug: Jay, a photographer and graphic designer, and Seana, a professional writer, operate a graphic and web design firm, EdgeFlow Media. EdgeFlow has done web and print design packages for several real estate agents and developers, including Tuscany Village. Seana also works at Carmanah Technologies.

After guiding them through the quick sale of their townhouse, we set out to find them and their two Jack Russell Terriers a new home. After searching in Langford, Colwood, and View Royal, they fell in love with a beautiful, nearly new two-level home in Sooke! Despite not having read my blog post about 10 reasons to move to Sooke, they just couldn’t turn down the value in the housing out here. So now my friends are my neighbours, too!

Just one of the many reasons I love my job!

–Tim Ayres