Real estate agents: Put safety first

Re: 'Open-house robbery puts focus on agent safety' (Jan. 23)

Dear Editor:

I'm afraid we are going to read more stories like this as the economy continues to take its toll.

Riding motorcycles and handling firearms has taught me important lessons in life: always have an escape route and always be aware of your surroundings. I know we tend to teach agents only after events like this happen to be vigilant of their surroundings, but it needs to be a part of basic real estate training and especially open-house training.

But it goes far beyond open houses. I can remember a few years ago ... an agent a few miles south of me in Fayetteville, N.C., was shot multiple times and left for dead by (someone posing as a) buyer prospect.

She had been contacted by someone who asked to see a house, and once she met the person became uneasy. By this time it was too late. She was alone and defenseless.

This market is tempting agents to lower their guard and take chances they would not normally take. These are the times they should be even more keen to their safety and their clients' safety.

Thanks for the article.

Barrett Powell
WBP Consulting
Raleigh, N.C.

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