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Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate, Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker (Fred Griffin Real Estate)

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Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

Firstly, be wise and avoid any potentially dangerous scenario.

Secondly, be LOUD, very very LOUD!  Most predators want pliant and obedient victims. Don't make their job easy!

Thirdly, get away from them in any way possible and allow the authorities to do their job in apprehending them.

I recommend that everyone read The Gift of Fear  which reinforces the concept of listening to your gut instinct.

Mar 14, 2016 07:19 AM
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Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

With most predators it is best to face them down rather than run, not sure if that works for human predators though.

If you can run, and get away, then do so.

But it is best to be prepare in case a fight is warranted.

Mar 14, 2016 06:45 AM
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Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Fred, I think that would depend on the situation. My gut is like my second brain. I use it A LOT!

Mar 14, 2016 10:53 AM
Rainmaker
637,434
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®
Carmel by the Sea, CA
Rothwell Realty Inc. CA#01968433 Carmel-by-the-Sea

Avoidance in the first place is my rule of thumb. But there may be incidences where we have done what we can to protect ourselve and s... happens anyway. I doubt if we can plan a "safe" strategy in advance if someone means us harm. My own strategy is to always get out of a place where my gut tells me something is about to go down.

Mar 14, 2016 07:53 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Flight, but try to not put yourself in situations of jeopardy. Use common sense.

Mar 14, 2016 06:50 AM
Rainmaker
1,209,215
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

Nobody puts Jared in a corner.  

I'll come out fighting...  or dancing.  

Mar 14, 2016 10:46 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,271
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

All I know is they truly don't care about me so why give me direction? Each situation is different & each personality type responds differently.

You better have a better plan than 911 as someone is hitting you over the head.

Mar 14, 2016 06:44 AM
Rainmaker
785,458
Abby Stiller
TOP SELLING REALTY - Cape Coral, FL
SW Florida (239) 284-8637

Hey if you have some self defense skills like Jason Bourne (The Bourne Ultimatum movie) go ahead! if not inmediately dial 911. Other ideas: pepper spray, or I will use my high heels as a weapon.  lol

Mar 14, 2016 06:42 AM
Rainmaker
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Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

I would rather work smartly and have 911 on speed dial!

Mar 14, 2016 06:37 AM
Rainmaker
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Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Run, or have a heart attack on site!  However, I do everything I can not ever to get into that situation.

Mar 16, 2016 09:42 AM
Rainer
98,823
Becca Rasmussen
HomeSmart Cherry Creek - Highlands Ranch, CO

Situation dependent. My preferred escalation progression:

  1. Avoid.
  2. Deter.
  3. Flight.
  4. Fight.
  5. Call 911 to pick up the pieces (EMS) and investigate (Cops) after the fact. 
Mar 15, 2016 12:27 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

A little of both, but first i try to avoid it, I always look for a path to leave any area and if needed, and it has... i will fight... pepper spray and or my 9 always come with me.

Mar 14, 2016 10:45 PM
Rainmaker
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I believe taking flight may be the first choice.

Mar 14, 2016 09:39 PM
Rainmaker
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Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Call this guy over! 

Mar 14, 2016 09:22 PM
Rainmaker
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TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

 I think that it would depend upon the situation and whether you are male or female. Sadly, females are victimized more so than men. Use common sense.

Mar 14, 2016 06:48 PM
Rainmaker
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Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Fred Griffin 'escape from immediate danger' is what I'd do. I think that's right thing.

Mar 14, 2016 04:19 PM
Rainmaker
140,768
Joan Dickie
Keller Williams Premier Realty - La Crosse, WI
Keller Williams Premier Realty

I'm stupid enough to try to defend myself.  Probably because I have such slow reaction, that it would be too late to run!

Mar 14, 2016 01:25 PM
Rainmaker
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Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

If I was packin, I would probably be standing my ground. 

Mar 14, 2016 12:57 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I'm growling at this statement as I read it.  Escape isn't always possible or practical.  Being able to defend yourself and survive at ANY COST is paramount.  Sadly, most people in our society would rather let the bad guy win than do what is neccessary to survive.

Mar 14, 2016 12:54 PM
Ambassador
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Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

I love my new knees, but they are not so great for running.  So I'm thinking pepper spray.

Mar 14, 2016 12:38 PM
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Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I don't think that's NAR's call to make.  I don't mind them giving tips like... don't meet strangers at a property, things that make good common sense, but if choose fight or flight that is my personal decision to make.  And I wouldn't begin to think I should or could tell anyone else which decision would be right for them.

Mar 14, 2016 12:22 PM
Rainmaker
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Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I would run and scream out at the same time to attract attention. No I would not stand my ground and try to prove anything. 

Mar 14, 2016 12:15 PM
Rainmaker
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Susan Laxson CRS
Palm Properties - La Quinta, CA
Realtor in San Diego, CA & Naples, FL

So many good answers and I hope that none of us have to use any of the suggestions, but I would go with my instinct and be aware of my surroundings before I decided what I would do.

Mar 14, 2016 11:27 AM
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Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Inna Ivchenko 

   NAR and this discussion refers to Real Estate Agents being physically assaulted and even murdered.  

     For example, the late Beverly Carter in Arkansas, who was murdered in 2014 by a guy who said she was, "a rich real estate broker".

Mar 14, 2016 11:13 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I do not run, but I would not argue with a person. What would be a reason another person attacks you? It should a reason or something right?

I'd walk away or hang up till he/she is able to discuss the issue  without unnecessary emotions. Some people just like to argue or try to be ''the boss''(whatever it means).

Mar 14, 2016 11:03 AM
Rainmaker
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Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

It depends on the situation, so just have to go case by case.

Mar 14, 2016 10:44 AM
Rainmaker
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Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Run for help.

Mar 14, 2016 10:13 AM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

I don't publicly discuss security issues for obvious reasons.

Mar 14, 2016 10:01 AM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

Every authoritative source I've seen says run if you can safely get away. If you can't then be fierce and loud. I took an extreme (as in lethal) self defense course. But even there the best advice was escape if possible.

Mar 14, 2016 09:18 AM
Rainmaker
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William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I am readay to stand and fight....running you can't see what is happening...I will send my clients our first and then try to exit safely, but if that is not possible, I will do my best to go home beforre they do.

 

 

Mar 14, 2016 09:14 AM
Rainmaker
2,362,942
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

run - I don't even care about calling for help - just get me out of there! 

Mar 14, 2016 09:11 AM
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Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Running is a good idea if you are being threatened.  If you feel threatened, getting out of the situation without raising red flags to make the would-be criminal feel cornered would be the ideal.

Mar 14, 2016 09:08 AM
Rainmaker
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Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Fred,

Go with your gut when you first talk to the person.  There are a lot of clues you can pick up on.

Go with your gut, and be sure you are in good enough shape to run.  If not, I would have a noise making device handy.    A

Mar 14, 2016 08:41 AM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Defense should be a last resort.

Mar 14, 2016 08:13 AM
Rainmaker
290,969
Allie Angeloni
Long Realty - Oro Valley, AZ

Obviously not to put one's self in 'harm's way' is my first thought.  I would think that 911 would not prevent an attack, and would not stop one from happening . . .  easy to understand why many CCWs Fred Griffin.  Having 'A Plan' seems wise to me, and if running away works for you, then go for it. 

Mar 14, 2016 08:02 AM
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John Meussner
Mortgages in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IN, MD, MN, MT, NC, NJ, NV, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI - Fair Oaks, CA
#MortgageMadeEasy Fair Oaks, CA 484-680-4852

I think that tip oversimplifies things.  Obviously, the best way to escape a dangerous situation is to use awareness & planning and avoid it altogether.  That said, when put in a corner, I've always found it better to fight out of it.

Mar 14, 2016 07:44 AM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

When the NAR offers directives for me to heed regarding my safety and personal security rest assured I'm screwed if I implement them. Stick with the Real Estate and when you (REALTOR.ORG) have that perfected we'll talk!

Mar 14, 2016 07:39 AM
Rainmaker
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Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

I guess it would depend on whether I happened to be aiming a gun between their eyes. If not, I'd definitely run.

Mar 14, 2016 07:22 AM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

With my training it would be stay and fight.

There are panic buttons that can be bought and 911 on the phone but make sure you know how to get out of the home as you could be cornered.

Mar 14, 2016 06:58 AM
Rainmaker
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Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Seek the inner self for that answer and know it before you need it

Mar 14, 2016 06:46 AM