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During the winter months, many agent must show homes after dark. It is always smart to have the first meeting in the office.
If you take the risk of meeting people for the first time at the home to be shown, take a photograph of the car and the license plate and further take a photo of the prospects and send the images to your home or office before entering the property.
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Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
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Debbie Laity
Cedaredge, CO
11,587
Trust your instincts. Make sure people know where you are at, and when to expect your return. Don't be worried about loosing a potential prospect or be seen as being rude if something doesn't feel right, or if something doesn't look right. I'm not opposed to carrying a weapon or pepper spray if you are in a big city.
We closed an open house once at the risk of alienating ourselves from a potential client. The people just didn't seem like buyers, I have no way else to describe it. We found out later that this same couple had gone to two other opens and stolen cell phones and watches out of the bedrooms.
This goes for all showings. We've had problems in the daytime as well.
You can also show in groups.
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Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
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Debbie Laity
Cedaredge, CO
1,771,867
Debbie, two days ago I showed a foreclosure two flat to a client couple I met for the first time at the home at 5:30 and it was dark and cold. The neighborhood was fringe. At one time there had been squatters in the basement because I saw graffiti. I instantly did this showing with the go getter attitude and then when I found myself in the dark in this property it hit me that this was dangerous.
I made a mistake but the couple was very nice and there was no one in the home.
It made me think.
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Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
3,986,258
Yes, I still show homes after dark. I take pretty much the same safety precations. Usuall I will not do a night show with a new client. But, when I do show, I have my personal safety along as I almost always do when I show vacant homes.
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Kenneth Cole
Staten Island, NY
911,338
I pretty much have to show after dark. Many people don't get home from work until after dark. I carry 2 flashlights, one for me and one for buyer. I am observant. I was showing condos in an area known for gangs, all light bulbs are usually removed from stairways, laundry rooms are in basement cellars, drug dealing is normal, etc. Sometimes I arrive early, go in and check unit, then lock door, keep key with me while I wait for buyers to arrive. I give them key and light, try to position myself halfway between unit and our cars, so I can keep an eye on both. I don't have to tell buyers when were in a bad area, they figure it out by watching what I do. I was showing these at 8-9pm in dark. I usually have a couple different weapons on me, but I keep those hidden from buyers. other areas i show after dark all the time without too many worries.
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Debbie Reynolds, C21 P...
Clarksville, TN
6,393,494
4,319,419
Visiting questions from past...
I never had any concerns as I work by referrals, I always know the buyers!
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I rarely show houses after dark in any event because it's hard to buyers to see the context of the house. But when I do show after dark, it's only ever to clients I know really well and never to a stranger.
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I don't show the houses alone if it is late. I try to bring someone with me and always telling my family where I'm going( they also can see me via Iphone tracking).
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If I already know the buyers I have no problem. If I HAVE to show one after dark I take Larry with me.
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Day or night, if I do not know who I am working with many have the informion on where I am with phone numbers.
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Fantastic ideas. I think I will avoid after hour showings though but safety should be a concern even in daytime hours. Maybe it is time to get that pepper spray or other form of protection that many of you have.
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Debbie, I don't show houses after dark. I'm more than happy to show on weekends during daytime.
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Good evening Debbie. There are risks in every business. Do you know the client would be the main factor. I would be leary of someone I did not know.
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No, I don't show houses after dark and most of our lock boxes don't even work after dark anyway. I keep pepper spray in my purse where I can easily reach down and grab it. I also ordered the Cuff but haven't received it yet. I also make sure I have had previous contact and know some information about the buyer before showing.
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I try very hard not to show houses after dark. Not only are there safety concerns, but I just don't think houses show as well. In the daylight, you can get a much better sense of neighborhood, light in the home, etc. I'd rather show a home at 7 AM the next morning and be able to give the house a proper assessment.
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Debbie,
Most of our showings were in business venues or office building with security guards in the lobby, where we had to sign in as did our buyers or lessees. However, we did have a listing in Venice, which had its OK areas, and a block away, weird and postentially unsafe. The listing was in between. One of the agents that worked for us was 3rd degree black belt in Tai Kwon Do, so I enlisted his company when I had to show it. And he drove...So if I had to show it at night, I never went alone. A
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Mary M. Kandell - I agree with you completely. I was about to write it and saw that you already did!