Real Estate Agent Safety: Marketing and Personal Information

Don't set yourself up to be victimized because of excess personal information in your marketing.

Flashy personal marketing can be a great tool, but beware of the information you include in these materials. Some predators target real estate agents, especially females, they find through the agent’s marketing.
THE RISK: Marketing materials that contain photos of yourself may attract the attention of criminals. Police have found criminals circling real estate professionals’ photos in newspapers and marketing materials (Read one agent’s account of this.)

                                                    SAFETY  TIPS

• Avoid provocative photos in your marketing. Low-cut blouses, full-body photos, and looking over your shoulder in a sexy pose can send the wrong message to criminals. “Why do you have to have photos anyway? What are you selling?” asks one Realtor, who advises against ever using a photo for business reasons; she uses a caricature.

“You make a living meeting complete strangers in empty houses. They see your photo and if you’re exactly what they’re looking for — whether that be an older or younger agent, blonde hair, blue eyes, whatever — they know all it takes is one phone call to meet you in a house. A picture can be dangerous.”

• Watch what you wear. Only wear shoes that you can run in. Avoid short skirts, low-cut tops, and expensive jewelry. “Predators don’t have the same boundaries as you do. They look at you like that and say ‘She’s asking for it,’” according to a personal safety expert.

• Protect your personal information. Use your cell phone number and office address in your marketing so it can’t be tracked back to your home address. Never use your home address or home phone number. Also, don’t reveal to your client personal information about your children, where you live, and who you live with — you can still build a relationship with clients without revealing all of your personal information, recommends the Washington Real Estate Safety Council.

Ways to Reduce Stress When You’re Moving

                             

             Savor time taking care of yourself to reduce the stress of moving.

Buying and selling a home and moving is one of the most stressful processes on the human psyche. It is important that while going through the real estate process, you find time to take care of yourself.

Just like on an airplane, you have to put an oxygen mask on yourself before helping anyone else. This means that in order to be able to take care of things and other people, it is important that you make sure you take care of yourself first.

Try setting aside relaxation time just for yourself each day, and do something you enjoy, despite the hectic and stressful nature of moving.

Reading a good book, spending time outside, taking a long bath, getting a massage – things like this will help you reduce your stress level immensely. With less real estate stress, handling the details will be easier.

Real Estate Agent Safety: Touring Properties with Strangers

January 26, 2011

For the third installment of the real estate agent safety series, today’s focus is

focus is on showing properties alone. This is standard practice for Realtors, but things can go very, very wrong. It is important to remember that safety precautions could one day save your life.

Showing a property alone

THE RISK: You’re touring vacant properties with strangers.
SAFETY TIPS:

• Use the buddy system.
There’s always strength in numbers. Whether you bring a coworker, spouse, or even your German shepherd, avoid going alone.

• Don’t go into confined places.
Avoid basements and attics — it’s too easy to become trapped. Instead, know the selling points of these rooms and remain in the foyer on the first floor with the front door open as the buyer tours these areas, an agent suggests. If you must join them in each room, always stay by the door, leaving doors open so you can flee more easily if necessary, the Washington Real Estate Safety Council suggests.

• Walk behind.
Let potential buyers take the lead when exploring a home, with you always following behind.

• Let others know where you are.
Tell them where you are going, when you will be back, and who you’re with. Better yet: Share this information while the client is with you so they know someone else knows where you are.

• Have an excuse.
If you feel uncomfortable, tell the person your “cell phone or beeper went off and I have to call the office” or “another agent with buyers is on his way,” suggests the Washington Real Estate Safety Council in their tip sheets. Read agents’ personal stories of getting out of a situation like this.

Quick Fixes for a Great Looking Kitchen

A modern look is very popular right now.

Cabinetry

Damaged or dirty cabinet doors are a big turn-off for buyers. But that’s easy to fix. Most cabinetry can be re-painted after cleaning it and applying a coat of primer. Just check that the materials can take paint or whether you need to give any special preparation to the doors first. Alternatively, you can just replace the doors. There are companies that provide doors to fit existing kitchen cabinets.

Hardware
Another way to fix up cabinets is to replace the hardware, perhaps changing out-of-date fixtures for sleek, modern ones. This is a very cheap and easy way to update your kitchen.

Sinks and faucets
Try trading your faucets for more modern designs and replacing a damaged or very dirty sink.

Appliances
People love modern stainless steel appliances. It could be a good investment to upgrade your appliances to the most modern designs to give your kitchen the ‘wow’ factor.

Backsplash
An easy way to update your kitchen is to replace the backsplash. Subway ormosaic tiles or a sheet of stainless steel are very popular right now, and this quick change can really lift the feel of the room.

Make sure the flooring matches the rest of the kitchen.

Flooring
Dirty, tired linoleum floors will turn off buyers. Try updating with tough laminate flooring or some tiles that tie into the rest of the kitchen.

Paint
Change the decor easily by repainting in fresh, modern, neutral colors. A coat of paint can be a very cheap way to refresh the look of your kitchen.

Clutter
Just by simply removing the clutter that accumulates on your countertops, you can freshen up your kitchen. Throw out things you don’t need; put away others you only use occasionally.

Top California Housing Finance Agency Questions Answered

The California Housing Finance Agency, or CalHFA, is a great resource for first-time home buyers in the state. Owning your first home is a dream that this program can help you achieve.

Who qualifies for CalHFA?
All first-time home buyers in the state qualify to receive this loan.

Is it true that you can receive a 3.75% Fixed Rate 30 year loan?
Yes, if you combine your CalHFA with a second loan from CHDAP - California Homebuyer’s Downpayment Assistance Program.

What is the minimum down payment with the 2nd loan from CHDAP?
The down payment can be as low as 1%.

Are seller contributions allowed?
Yes, they are allowed up to 3% of the purchase price of the home.

Mortgage California is an accredited lender of CalHFA, and we are here to help with any questions about this loan program.