Open houses are regular events for REALTORS®, but they expose you to potentially dangerous situations. Take these simple steps to help ensure your personal safety during these events.

  1. Let the local police know when and where you are hosting an open house. Ask them to have a squad car drive by at least once during the open house.
  2. Inform a close neighbor that you will be hosting the open house, and ask if he or she would keep an eye and ear open for anything out of the ordinary.
  3. When you first enter an empty home, check each room and determine several escape routes. Make sure all deadbolt locks are unlocked to facilitate a faster escape. (Remember to lock up again when you leave!)
  4. Once you enter, turn on the lights and open the curtains. These are not only good safety habits, but can also help you sell the place.
  5. Scope out the backyard and make sure that if you had to escape by the back door, you could get out of the yard. Check any gates.
  6. Place one of your business cards, with the date and time written on the back, in a kitchen cabinet. Note on it if you were the first to arrive or if clients were waiting.
  7. When prospects begin to arrive, jot down their car descriptions, license numbers and physical descriptions.
  8. When you show a home, always let the prospect walk ahead of you. Direct them; don't lead them. Say, for example, "The kitchen is on your left," and gesture for them to go ahead of you.
  9. Notify someone in your office, your answering service, a friend or a relative that you will be calling in every hour on the hour. And if you don't call, they are to notify the police immediately.
  10. Don't assume that everyone has left the home at the end of your open house. Check each room and closet and the backyard prior to locking the doors. Check any windows or sliding doors to make sure they are still locked. Be prepared to defend yourself, if necessary.

(Sources: Washington Real Estate Safety Council; City of Mesa, Arizona; Pinehurst North Carolina Police Department)

This article is part of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS'® 2006 REALTOR® Safety Week Kit.