From Homescape

When I was a newspaper reporter, I covered some pretty gruesome police investigations. Combing through daily police reports, I would read over hundreds of crimes: sexual assaults, domestic battery, burglaries, and even homicides. Working the crime beat heightened my sense of awareness. I became more cautious of the people and things around me in every situation. I strongly believe that learning to become more alert is a skill that all people should have, not just those in professions exposed to violent crimes and criminals.

Over the weekend Lindsay Buziak, a 24-year-old real estate agent was found dead in a vacant home in the Gordon Head neighborhood of Victoria, British Columbia. Police are not reporting how the woman was killed, but confirmed the death as a homicide. The Times Colonist reports that police went to 1702 De Sousa Place at about 6 p.m. on Saturday after they received a 911 call asking them to check on someone there. Officers found the body of Buziak, an agent with Re/Max Camosun, inside the newly built home which is listed for sale. The Canadian paper also reported that police said there appears to be no evidence to show Buziak was targeted because of her occupation. But rumors are circulating in the real estate community that a number of people at the office knew Buziak had a bad feeling about an appointment made Saturday afternoon to see a home.

Crimes can happen anywhere and to anyone, but people can reduce their chances by taking steps to better secure themselves. Whether you’re a realtor or selling a home on your own, it’s important to stay safe when meeting with new clients and perspective buyers. Here are some smart and practical tips I found at MortgageNewsDaily.com.

Safety tips for real estate agents
1. Always meet a client for the first time in the office. Introduce him to coworkers, and make it clear to your colleagues that you’re taking the client to see a home. Try to take separate cars, but if that’s not possible, you will have a slightly better advantage if you drive. Do not meet a client at the property, particularly if he’s responding to a yard sign. He will already have had a chance to see if the property is vacant.

2. Get a license plate number and leave it at the front desk and include the owner’s name and contact number on the sheet. Explain that it’s office policy; a customer who means no harm won’t mind. It’s also a good idea to leave an itinerary for your house tour.

3. Don’t tell a caller who is responding to an ad or sign that a property is vacant.

4. When showing a property to a stranger, follow rather than lead him through the house. Don’t let him get between you and the door. At an open house, maintain a position closest to the door when possible.

5. Always carry a cell phone where it’s easily accessible — not in the purse you left in the car or stowed in a kitchen cabinet. Make sure emergency numbers are programmed into the speed dial.

6. Ask the office manager to control keys to the office and to place deadbolts on the doors. If you’re alone in the office at night, draw the shades and do not allow anyone inside, unless you know and trust them.

7. Go with your gut. Escape immediately if something doesn’t look or feel right, even if an abrupt departure seems awkward or impolite.

Do you have any helpful safety tips?