MRE Program Update

During the Education Development Committee meeting on December 8, 2010 a motion was made and approved to dissolve the MRE designation based on NAR creating a Master’s degree program through REALTOR® University. Current MRE applicants will have until December 31, 2011 to complete the 90 hour requirement online through www.Vaned.com. Education Staff will be sending out a letter of notification to all current MRE applicants explaining the decision and the steps they need to take to complete the MRE by the deadline.

In addition, the committee approved to rename the MRE at a later time to avoid any confusion with NAR’s Master’s Degree. Once the name is changed and all MRE designees are on file, Education staff will send out new certificates and lapel pins reflecting the new name of the designation. As always, please do not hesitate to contact Lisa Godbehere and Erica Saufley of the Education Division with any questions or concerns.

New MRE program administration team to be announced

The MRE program will be getting new administration in the coming weeks. The EDC (Education Development Committee) will be approving a new administrator for the MRE program as early as December 17th. Upon selection and agreement, new rules and courses will most likely be announced.

We will post the results of the committees search as soon as they are available. We want you to know that you may continue to work on any current courses that you have registered for that are necessary to complete your MRE designation. Courses may be found online at http://www.realestatemre.com/.

NAR Conference and Expo is around the corner

There is still time to register for the NAR Conference and Expo being held November 3-8 in New Orleans, LA. But if you are unable to attend there is no reason to miss out on all of the action.

You can follow along on Twitter by following the hashtag #NARdiGras or by simply taking a look at Conference Live to see what’s happening right now. There you will also be able to register for the conference up until November 3rd. Still planning your trip? Consider the REALTOR Volunteer build days on November 3rd and 4th.

Use this link to find out what is happening and where at the 2010 NAR Conference and Expo – Click Here

Know What You Show: How to Safely Prepare for an Open House or Showing

When showing a home, whether it’s an open house or a private showing, your primary focus is on your clients and whether or not they like the house, right? Sure, but don’t let that keep you from being aware of your safety. The question is how do you know what ‘safety’ means in an unfamiliar neighborhood? 

It’s simple. You preview the property and the neighborhood. Previewing any property you’re showing is unfortunately the best-kept secret shared by top performers in the real estate business. Let’s get the word out! Of course the first thing is don’t do an open house or meet a client for the first time alone, take a buddy! However, if you must go alone the following are a few simple steps you can follow to provide the safest experience for both you and your clients.

• Make a Visit. In the days before you meet the client, visit the property. This will enable you to speak intelligently about the area, giving your clients the pertinent information on things like school bus stops, yoga in the park, and the location of the closest grocery store. It also gives you an opportunity to put several pieces of your safety plan in place. 

 

• Walk the surrounding neighborhood, if possible. You will learn much more about it than if you drive. If any of the neighbors are out, introduce yourself and let them know you’ll be showing the house. Identify your car for them, so they’ll know it’s you. Knock on the doors of the houses on either side and across the street from the property you’re showing to meet the neighbors. If you’ll be putting on an open house, offer them the opportunity to tour the home half an hour before it’s open to the public.
  
• This has four benefits to you. The neighbors are all curious about the house that’s for sale, and they want to see it. They want to know the asking price to compare it to the value of their own homes. Perhaps they have a friend who wants to move into the neighborhood or perhaps they’ll need an agent to sell their own home someday. First it gets qualified buyers into the house. Second, it may create future business for you. Third, these neighbors may reveal things about the neighborhood you hadn’t noticed yourself. This can give you additional selling features to highlight to your clients. Fourth, and most importantly, it familiarized people with you and makes them aware that you’ll be there.

While you’re in the neighborhood, visit the local police substation to let them know you’ll be there and during what hours. If you’re hosting an open house, tell them you’ll have refreshments for any officers who stop by. Do the same at the local fire station. That way, there are two groups of emergency responders who will know you’ll be in the house and when. What’s more, you’ve extended the invitation for them to stop by.

Make at least three trips to preview the property. Yes, it’s time consuming, but it will also give you an excellent overview of the property and surrounding streets. Not only will you impress your clients, you’ll know just what to do if something goes wrong.

On the day of the showing or open house
1. First thing in the morning:

• Locate the lockbox.
• Determine where you and your client will park.
• Find out if there are any animals which you need to beware of.
  
• Take a look at the sides of the house.
• Does the property have a privacy fence? If so, is there a gate? Where does it lead?
• Look at the shrubs-do they provide a hiding place for someone?
• Make a mental note of where the garage door is.
• Also note any other unique features of the house.
• Find some interesting feature that’s not near the front door.
• Check that you have cell phone reception.
  

2. At your appointment time:

• Note what’s going on in the neighborhood at that time of day.
• Notice who’s around. Are there many people? This is a great time to introduce yourself.
• Check again for animals.
• Recheck your cell phone reception.
• Is anyone else having an open house? If you have the opportunity to introduce yourself to the agent in charge, do so.
  

3. At night, especially if you’ll be doing an open house:

• Note any outside lighting around the house, including street lights.
• Note any areas where landscaping may provide hiding places.
• Make any adjustments to your parking location, as dictated by the two factors above.

If you don’t have time to make three visits by the day before your appointment, at least make one to locate the lockbox, take a quick look around, and let someone know you’ll be there. Preset the lockbox for easy entry.

Visiting the property also allows you to develop what’s known as your “word track.” This is a technique used by people in call centers when they react to something a customer says during a call. Your word track is used to draw the client’s attention away from you when you’re most vulnerable. For example: Just as the walkway narrows for only one person and the customer suggests that you lead the way, you can remark, “Hey take a look at that [unique feature you noted earlier].” While he’s walking over to look, that’s when you unlock the lockbox and open the front door. By the time he’s returned to you, you’ve turned to face him again and can devote your full attention to the remainder of the showing.

There are many other aspects to safely showing a home or hosting an open house. Doing your homework by previewing the property is only the first step to ensuring your safety. So now you’re in on the secret!

We hope this article is helpful to you. Please feel free to share this information with our staff and colleagues. For additional information on training classes, seminars, keynote speeches or consulting, please visit SAFE at www.justbesafe.com. If you would like to reprint this article in your publication, please feel free. Just send us a copy or a link to your published work. You may also click here for a PDF version of this article.

Guest author Andrew Wooten is the President of Safety Awareness Firearms Education (S.A.F.E.), and has been in the safety and security industry for the past twenty-four years. His platform successes have led him to the creation of Crime Awareness Prevention Seminars (C.A.P.S.). He is a recognized expert in safety and security and speaks to thousands of professionals every year. You can find out more online at http://www.justbesafe.com.

Safety Starts at Home: Simple Tips for Safeguarding Your Home

If you’ve been following my advice on real estate safety and changing your work habits, then good for you! But don’t forget that your own home may also be vulnerable to crime. When it comes to home safety, taking simple precautions can make the difference in having your home broken into, or having the criminals move on to a different home or neighborhood.

Light It Up!

Your home’s first, and possibly best, defense is the outside lighting. Criminals do not want to be seen! Motion-sensitive lights are a big crime preventative measure for the outside of your house, especially the backyard. Even if you don’t invest in motion-sensitive lights, make sure all porches, entrance areas and yards (including the backyard) are well lit.  Turn on exterior lights when you’re home at night, plus interior lights when you’re away in the evening.  You can use timers at staggered times in various areas of the home, even if you’re home.

Next, do a “safety scan” of your property. Are there places in your yard for criminals to hide? Can you see your entranceways from the sidewalk? These are important things to consider when you plan landscaping. Use the 3-feet/10-feet rule for shrubs and trees: No shrub should be taller than 3 feet, so it doesn’t obscure windows or other entry points, and trees near your house should have no branches extending lower than 10 feet off the ground. (This prevents entrance to second story windows.) Be sure to keep your yard free of litter and debris that could give the impression that your home is unoccupied.

Invest in Solid Locks-and Use Them

Is your home securely locked? Criminals do not want to break into a home with extensive lock systems. They are looking for locks that are easily broken. All entry doors in your home should have deadbolts with full one-inch bolts, in addition to your existing locks. (This includes connecting doors inside garages.) If you have an entry door with glass panels within three feet of the lock, you should install a double-cylinder deadbolt, which requires a key on both sides to unlock. This ensures that a burglar cannot simply break the glass and then reach through to unlock the door.  If a door has conventional glass panels, consider replacing them with shatterproof glass or with polycarbonate material. 

Install a peephole in your front door, or add a secure screen or glass outer door. That way, if someone you don’t know comes to your door, you can check him out and ask to see his identification before opening the door.

Don’t overlook your windows! You can mount locks on the corners or sides of windows to keep them secure even when partially open.  You can also secure windows with pinning (inserting a pin or nail above a window so it can’t be opened) or track fillers (such as a wooden pole placed into the track of the window).

And don’t let your windows be an invitation: keep your blinds or curtains closed at night or when you are not at home.  This minimizes the criminals’ opportunity to peek inside and see opportunities.

When You’re Away

When you’re out of town, make your house look occupied. Install timers on indoor lights so that they turn on and off in the evening.  Instead of stopping your mail or newspaper delivery, ask a trusted neighbor or friend to take care of picking up both every day-that way, only one person knows exactly when you’ll be gone.  Keep a car parked in the driveway and arrange for someone to mow your yard or shovel snow.

You can increase your home safety by enlisting your neighbors. Organize a neighborhood watch group and agree to keep an eye on each other’s property.  Ask people to call 911 when they see suspicious activity or crimes in progress.  If you cannot organize a group, get to know at least three of your nearby neighbors.  Be sure to exchange phone numbers in case of emergencies.

“You are your best weapon, your mind, voice and body.  Listen and trust your inner voice.  It is the best weapon you have.”

Guest author Andrew Wooten is the President of Safety Awareness Firearms Education (S.A.F.E.), and has been in the safety and security industry for the past twenty-four years. His platform successes have led him to the creation of Crime Awareness Prevention Seminars (C.A.P.S.). He is a recognized expert in safety and security and speaks to thousands of professionals every year. You can find out more online at http://www.justbesafe.com.