Home Buyer Safety
Image Courtesy Virginia DWR: Black Bear Map
The home buying process isn't without its hazards, from attics that can be fallen through to squatters, vicious dogs, black bears, & black widows. It's a good idea to keep in mind safety when considering what to bring to showings.
I'm Fine with Open Carry & Concealed Carry by Buyers
I have no problem with buyers carrying weapons as long as doing so lawfully, which isn't a bad idea especially in bear country & heavy crime areas. Generally speaking, concealed carry is superior to open carry just in case a seller looking through a hidden camera or another agent in the area is gun shy.
Wear Proper Shoes
Proper shoes is helpful in mitigating hazards & if there is a time when you don't want to go in a room (or even a house), please let me know. I would not want to take you somewhere that you don't feel comfortable. It's relatively common for me to be the only one to go in an attic, for instance.
I have also seen where there were soft areas of flooring or gaps in flooring or otherwise where someone could fall & severely hurt themselves. I feel better equipped than typical buyers to deal with those situations.
What Happens if Something Serious Happens to Your Agent & They Go Unconscious?
While it's never happened to me during my career, if anything does happen to me during a showing where I go unconscious (with ladders & attics being the highest candidate for such a problem if a fall were to occur), please call 911
Crawlspace Attire
While most buyers don't go in crawlspaces, if you want to, thick tear resistant clothing is best as well as a hardhat, powerful headlamp, knee & elbow pads. Contractors were bitten by black widows under my own house on one occasion, & often nails, sometimes venomous snakes, & other hazards are possible.
Consider a Hat
Especially if going to a place like an attic or crawlspace, consider wearing a hat, especially one with a multi-inch brim on all sides (like my typical hat, or like a cowboy hat). I have gotten cut on my head during showings primarily from occasions when I didn't wear my typical hat.
If You Don't Feel Safe...
If you don't feel safe walking into a showing based on what you see in front of the home, & don't think you would ever feel safe at that home, give me a call and we can cancel the showing. I've had that happen before and respected that decision. I'm legally limited on what I can say on crime, so it's ideal to check for crime and otherwise prior to showing.
Some single females that aren't armed may want to wait for me to exit their vehicle if they get to a property early, especially if you feel that an area's safety is questionable & you're looking at night. No matter whether you're in a group or not, it's best not to walk into the yard from the street or driveway without your agent.
Pets, Wild Animals, & Insects
On some occasions, a large dog or dogs weren’t able to be controlled by their owners, including at least one case with one of the most lethal breeds, and I physically stepped in between a buyer I was representing and the dog. Someone I work with had an occasion where he was attacked within a listing by a cat who had been to the vet and was hyped up on medication causing significant irritability. Another agent I know had their small dog with them for a showing with their own family and their dog was attacked by one of the more lethal breeds. They had to put the attacking dog in a choke hold in order for their dog to be finally released.
I have also seen where dangerous animals (i.e. venomous snakes), insects (i.e. hornets), spiders (i.e. black widows), etc. were at homes.
Squatters
Some agents including at least 1 I know well experienced an occasion where a squatter had entered into a vacant property & had done illegal drugs there.