Real Estate in Kansas City North

As REALTORS® we face the unknown every day.  The Heartland MLS offers the following tips for REALTORS®

Not only in Kansas City Real Estate, but Nationwide we need to be careful and aware of our surroundings. There have been more and more individuals looking at homes searching for drugs.

Always remind your sellers to remove firearms and hide any prescription drugs

Quick tips about buyers

Have all potential buyers meet you at the office for a pre-interview.

• Discuss:

                Wants and needs

                Agency agreements

                Pre-Approval as a negotiating tool.

• Say, "Our policy is not to go out with strangers. Meet me at the office first and we'll talk about financing, other available properties, etc."
• Obtain loan pre-approval for all buyers before showing anything, ever.
• Never meet a stranger at a property.
• Never show at night.
• Confirm referrals with the person who allegedly recommended you.
• Don't waiver from the system. Normal buyers will understand!
• As a last resort, take along someone you trust on the showing.

 Quick tips for Daily Practice

• Never have your home number on business cards. 
• Keep pepper spray handy.
• Take a self-defense course.
• Post information at the office about showings your and routes. 
• Use initials instead of your first name on signage and ads.
• Meet clients at your office for presenting offers and counters.
• Never wear flashy jewelry.
• Always wear comfortable shoes suitable for running away.
• Always have a cell phone in your hands.
• Avoid secluded locations and be alert to your surroundings.
• Always take your own car and have them drive their own car.
• Trust your intuition.
• Never advertise a property as vacant, secluded, private, etc.

 Quick tips for Office Policy

• Keep a CURRENT record on file for each agent's auto description and license plate (agents' spouses, too) and emergency contact phone numbers.
• Discuss safety tips on a regular basis in sales meetings.
• Encourage agents to have a buddy at Open Houses.
• Never allow an agent to meet a stranger or to show after dark.
• Require that no agent will meet a stranger at the office unless other people are present.
• Never advertise property as vacant, secluded or private.
• Encourage agents to post an itinerary of their scheduled previews and showings - and to check-in regularly each day at prearranged times.

 Quick tips for Sellers

• Always verify ownership, address and phone number before walking into a potential seller's house.
• Have Sellers visit your office for your marketing discussions and view the property at a later time for pricing.
• Ask Sellers to hide valuables such as guns, cameras, cash, medications and jewelry.
• Caution Sellers to refuse showings to anyone without a preset appointment.
• Change alarm system codes daily while the property is on the market.
• Make the property look occupied even when it's not.
• Check the property for bad locks and unsecured windows.
• Have Sellers use Caller ID to verify bona fide appointment (co-op) calls.

 Quick tips about Open House

• Never go to Open House alone. Always have another agent or a friend accompany you.
• Never advertise a property as vacant, secluded, private or having immediate occupancy.
• Use http://www.mobilecallback.com/ for your cell phone or have the seller's mobile phone in your hand at all times to call 911.
• Don't show visitors through the house.  Remain posted close to an exit and dispense your fliers, etc. from that spot.
• If a back door will be the escape route, check the yard ahead of time and practice opening fence gates.
• Park your car at the curb for easy get-a-way and leave your purse locked in the car.
• Invite neighbors.
• Tell every visitor that a big carload of people is on the way.
• Hang car keys on your wrist and hold a pepper spray in your hand.

Mobile Callback Special Offer

Designed to work through a mobile phone, Mobile Callback is a personal security service that monitors the safety of REALTORS at any desired time.  For more information about the service, contact info@mobilecallback.com with new account-related questions.