Open House Safety & Client Vetting

Practical ways to stay safe when meeting new clients and hosting open houses.

I’ve become hyper vigilant about my safety – and the safety of my fellow agents. If you’re like me and you like to be extra cautious – here are a few of my safety musts-do’s for vetting new clients and holding open houses.

Open Houses

Don’t Share the Address Publicly

This may be controversial but as a female agent, I’m very careful about posting my exact location in real-time. So when promoting an open house online – I’ll share the photos, price, and general area *think: community or zip code*, but I’ll withhold the address. Then somewhere in the post I note: “DM for address or more info.” Serious buyers and agents don’t mind asking – and if someone sketchy does, at least there’s a traceable interaction.

Always Have an Exit

Don’t park your car in the driveway – you could get blocked in. Keep your car key in your pocket so if you do need to bolt, you can. If you’re walking the property with a prospective buyer, agent, or anyone else – survey the rooms and be mindful of the exits. If a room doesn’t have an exit, let them wander while you stay by the door.

Hold Opens with a Colleague

If you don’t want to be alone in a vacant house with strangers *that sounds like the start of a horror movie*, invite a colleague to have a coworking day with you. You can still be the designated OH host, but the buddy system adds a layer of protection.

Share Your Location + Snap a Selfie

Share your live location via iPhone or AirTag and text a selfie to a trusted contact. It might feel extra – but if someone needs to Liam Neeson you, they’ll know where to start and what you were last wearing.

Trust Your Gut

Your intuition is your best friend. If someone walks in and something feels off, hop on the phone and walk towards the front door or exit the house. Subtly / quietly provide a description of the person who walked in. While you’re at the front, provide a description of the make, model, and color vehicle.

Vetting Prospective Clients

Forewarn App

If you don’t already have this Realtor app, download it. It’s one of the best tools for screening new clients. You can verify identities and check for any criminal offenses before meeting.

Meet at the Office or in a Public Place

Unless a client comes from a trusted referral, never and I mean never meet a new client at their house for an initial meeting. You never know who you’re talking to or meeting, and there are some cray cray people out there. Best route, meet at your office or in a public place – like a busyish coffee shop.