Realtor Safety At Open Houses: 3 Tips And A Warning That Could Save Your Life

As reported by John Harper “East Bay Rapist Arrested” nearly a year ago, ex convict Daniel Duran was attempting to assault Realtors at open houses in the Dublin-San Ramon-Pleasanton areas. Unfortunately this is not an isolated incident as described by the following video about similar activity in the Cincinnati, Ohio area.

Warning: Do not get caught in the “Earthquake Syndrome.” Even though we, here in Northern California know we are in earthquake country, very few take precautions and prepare a plan ahead of time.

Watch the video then please consider utilizing any or all of the security tips provided below. Be safe Not sorry!

3 Tips to Remain Safe:

1. Buddy up: When possible have a family member, co-worker, or affiliate work an open house with you. Safety in numbers.

2. Surveillance: Insist that your broker provide video camera surveillance with accompanying posted signs alerting the public that they are on camara for the safety of the Realtor. If your broker will not provide the equipment consider bringing your own video camara and set it up. At the very least post signs alerting the public that they are on camara. Sometimes just the signs alone will deter possible problems.

3. Connectivity: You must always have a fully charged cell phone on your hip for quick access. Leaving your cell in a purse, in your car, or on the desk is not good enough. In addition set up a system with your office where you receive 1 check in call per hour as a way to stay connected.

The Sport of Kings Loses It’s King: Bobby Fischer United States’ Greatest Champion Dead

Brilliant, talented, eccentric, and controversial United States grand master chess champion and king of the sport Bobby Fischer died today at the age of 64. With Bobby’s passing goes a part of my life that I owe to this man and the game that is the “Sport of Kings” with all due respect to horse racing. It was chess and Bobby Fischer’s instructive book “Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess” that taught me lessons about life and helped save my life on one occasion.

My mother bought me the book as a 12 year old 6th grader, first published in 1966, in 1972. The lessons I learned from Bobby can be applied to life; at a time when many of my Realtor and broker friends are having troubles please consider the following:

1. Observe and Analyze: One of the first lessons Bobby taught me was to relax and analyze a situation. Observe your surroundings, circumstances, conditions, and situation. Pay attention!

2. Be Deliberate: Because your first reaction to a situation may be grounded in emotion, this decision could be a mistake. Once you observe and analyze–pause and allow your observations to “sink in” before moving forward.

3. Intuition is Your Friend: After a moment’s pause, analyze your observations. Use your intuition by formulating multiple scenarios/outcomes to the situation at hand.

My Story How Bobby Fischer May Have Saved My Life:

As a 18yr old kid, on a date in a town known for it’s redneck street level justice, in the late 1970’s I was thrust into a situation that could have had grave circumstances for me. Two men cut in front of a line of cars waiting to order at a Jack in the Box restaurant. The offending party then decided to get smart and flip off the angry occupants of the car behind them–a couple of older men who had the distinct look of a couple of newly released ex-cons.

After taunts were exchanged, the two older men left their car, dragged both of the offending men out of there car and began to smack them around. After a few punches, one of the “ex-cons” stabbed the driver in the abdomen 5 times with a hunting knife. Seeing this cutting, the driver’s friend ran away screaming.

My first reaction was to run to the scene to help the man that was stabbed and my girlfriend was yelling at me to “go help him-Dean!” But rather than acting before analyzing–I waited and gave myself a few moments to process. My decision was simply to button up and roll out of the parking lot with my life intact and my girlfriend safe.

Later I found out through a cop, friendly with my girlfriend’s family, that the man that had stabbed the driver was a Hell’s Angel who had skipped bail with nothing to lose.

Thanks Bobby! I hope somebody has your back.