6 minute read
PRESIDENT'S CORNER
SAFETY IN THE REAL ESTATE PROFESSION
A message from your 2022 GTR President Ruth Bryson
The National Association of REALTORS® and Greater Tampa REALTORS® have worked hard to keep REALTOR® Safety foremost in everyone’s minds. But what about your clients? They, too, can face danger when allowing strangers into their homes or visiting other other properties.
Consider this valuable advice with everyone, and you’ll help them learn to protect themselves against crime:
• Remind your clients that strangers will be walking through their home during showings or open houses.
Tell them to hide any valuables in a safe place. For security, remember to remove keys, credit cards, jewelry, crystal, furs and other valuables from the home or lock them away during showings. Also remove prescription drugs.
• Don't leave personal information like mail or bills out in the open where anyone can see it. Be sure to lock down your computer and lock up your laptop and any other expensive, easy-to-pocket electronics, like iPads, before your showing.
• Tell your clients not to show their home by themselves.
Inform them that not all agents, buyers and sellers are who they say they are. Predators come in all shapes and sizes. We tell our children not to talk to strangers.
Tell your sellers not to talk to other agents or buyers, and to refer all inquiries to you.
• Instruct your clients that they are responsible for their pets. If possible, animals should be removed during showings. Make clients aware that buyers and agents are sometimes attacked, and the owner will be held liable.
• At an open house, be alert to the pattern of visitors’ arrivals, especially near the end of showing hours. In some areas, a group of thieves will show up together near the end of the open house and, while a string of “potential buyers” distracts the agent, the rest of the group walks through the house, stealing any valuables they come across.
• Finally, when you leave a client’s property, whether after an open house or a standard showing, make sure that all doors and windows are locked. Thieves commonly use open houses to scout for valuables and possible points of entry, then return after the agent leaves.
• Let your clients know that you will take all of the above safety precautions, but that when they return home, they should immediately verify that all doors are locked and all valuables accounted for.
Taking steps to protect you and your client's safety is worth the cost of a little extra time and effort.
If you do ever experience a situation that makes you feel unsafe, don’t hesitate to call for help. If you are in a lifethreatening situation, call 9-1-1 and please inform the association as soon as possible. Contact Sara Parsons at GTR by calling 813-879-7010.
We care about the safety of our members as well as the safety of our clients and colleagues. Please use September to remind yourself of all the ways you can stay safe now and throughout the year.
RUTH BRYSON 2022 President Greater Tampa REALTORS®
GREATER TAMPA REALTORS® CORE VALUES
MEMBERS FIRST
We consistently serve our members with passion and purpose to anticipate their needs and exceed their expectations.
TRANSPARENCY
We maintain open lines of communication, striving to do what’s right with integrity.
PROFESSIONALISM
We are the face of Greater Tampa REALTORS® and exemplify professionalism at all times.
UNITY
We support, respect and appreciate others, and embody principles of collaboration, diversity and inclusion.
INNOVATION
We encourage creative and inspirational ideas that challenge the status quo.
TAMPA
REALTOR®
Volume 6 | Issue 5
tamparealtors.org/magazine
813.879.7010
2022 OFFICERS
President: Ruth Bryson President-Elect: Jay Quigley Vice President: Adam Grenville Treasurer: Annette Newkirk Secretary: Marie Gregorio Betlow Immediate Past President: Ellie Lambert CEO: Dennis MacDonald
2022 DIRECTORS
Lorenzo Acevedo, Kimberly Aguilar, Bree Allison, Keianna Carty, Tina Marie Eloian, Melanie Norris, Quan Remmer, Jack Rodriguez, Ann Thompson and David Gonzalez
EDITOR/DESIGNER
Kimberly Chin, Communications/PR Manager
ASSISTANT EDITORS
Jennifer Lalji, Communications Coordinator Parker Lewis, Marketing Manager
ASSISTANT DESIGNER
AJ Hlavac, Creative Content Coordinator
The Greater Tampa REALTORS® Inc. (GTR) is the largest Tampa Bay-based professional association of real estate brokers and sales associates conducting business throughout the Bay. GTR provides educational programs, ethical guidance and other services that enable licensed real estate professionals to help people buy and sell homes in the Greater Tampa area. For more information, please visit tamparealtors.org.
REPRODUCTION
Tampa REALTOR® magazine is published bi-monthly for members of GTR in the interest of informing, promoting, and improving the real estate industry. With the exception of articles and materials from other publications reprinted in this magazine, members and affiliate members of GTR are hereby authorized to reproduce articles appearing in this publication, provided each such reproduction gives the following credit:
Reprinted from the Tampa REALTOR® magazine,
Greater Tampa REALTORS®.
ADVERTISING INFORMATION
For advertising information/sales, please contact 813.879.7010 or news@tamparealtors.org. All advertising is subject to the approval of the GTR Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer.
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✓ Move forward with the Red Cactus marketing proposal for logo revision. ✓ Have the Board review the current emergency operating plan to determine if changes should be made.
✓ Remove REALTOR® Care Foundation (RCF) form the dues billing statements. ✓ Give Echo proceeds from the October 24th Golf Tournament.
