Northwest Louisiana Association of Realtors ®
THE VOICE OF REAL ESTATE IN NORTHWEST LOUISIANA

4 Things you might not have known about your Cell Phone

For all the folks with cell phones. (This should be printed and kept in your car, purse, and wallet. Good information to have with you.)
Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for survival.
Check out the things that you can do with it:

FIRST (Emergency)
The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile network and there is an Emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly, this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked. Try it out.

SECOND (Hidden Battery Power)
Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370#. Your cell phone will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell phone next time.

THIRD (How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone? )
To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following Digits on your phone: *#06# .
A 15-digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe.
If your phone is stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.

FOURTH (Free Directory Service for Cells)
Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information calls when they don't have to. Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation even more of a problem. When you need to use the 411 information option, simply dial:
(800) FREE411 or (800) 373-3411 without incurring any charge at all. Program this into your cell phone now.
This is sponsored by McDonalds.

Understanding practical applications of the Fair Housing Act wil help ensure you do not inadvertently violate the Fair Housing Act.

Remember, courts have determined that a violation may be proven even if there was no intent to discriminate, as long as there is evidence of a discriminatory effect. Plus, you never know when your fair housing practices are being tested; testers from government or private groups can pose as home seekers, and their evidence is fully admissible in court.

1. Refusing to sell or rent a property or discouraging a potential buyer or tenant because of a person's protected class status.

Don't say: "This two-bedroom condominium is just too small for you and your three children. Plus there is no playground nearby."

2. Using different provisions in leases or sales contracts, such as those relating to rental charges, security deposits, lease terms, downpayment, and closing requirements because of a person's protected class status.

Don't say: "Because you only moved to this country from Japan a little while ago, the sellers may be uneasy about your ability to secure a mortgage. I suggest that you make a larger earnest money deposit to help convince them of your interest and ability to close."

3. Urging residents to sell or rent their properties, often at bargain prices, by suggesting that members of a protected class are likely to move into the area and have a negative impact on property values. This violation is called blockbusting.

Don't say: "You know, the people who live in this neighborhood aren't the same Polish immigrants who lived here when you bought this house 30 years ago. It's just not safe for you to walk around alone any more. Maybe you should consider selling now while you can still get a good price for your house."

4. Restricting a person's choice to perpetuate segregated housing patterns based on membership in a protected class--taking African-American families, for example, only to predominantly African-American neighborhoods.

Don't say: "I know how important it is for you to find a church congregation you can belong to. Let me show you two houses near the African-American Baptist Church on Second. I think that church would suit you."

5. Providing false information on the availability of a property for sale or rental based on a person's protected class status--even if that information is based on the owner's desires.

Don't say: "There's no point in your showing the Smith's house to that Hispanic couple; the Smiths will never sell to them."

6. Refusing to provide information on the availability of loans or other financial assistance or providing information that is inaccurate or different because of a person's membership in a protected class.

Don't say: "Mr. Hernandez, I think your best bet is to look into lenders that offer subprime mortgages. It'll be more expensive, but they're more likely to accept your application."

7. Using an appraisal that improperly takes into consideration the protected classes in estimating property value.

Don't say: "See if you can get the value of the property as high as you can. She's an old lady, and this house is her only asset, so I want to get her a really good price."

8. Relying on illegal covenants or provisions that preclude the sale or rental of a dwelling to a person because of membership in a protected class.

Don't say: "I'd love to show you the house in this development, but the restrictive covenants wouldn't allow you to build the entry ramp you need for your wheelchair."

52 SAFETY TIPS

 

Tip #1

Keep it light

Show properties before dark. If you are going to be working after hours, advise your associate or first-line supervisor of your schedule. If you must show a property after dark, turn on all lights as you go through, and don't lower any shades or draw curtains or blinds.

 

Tip #2

Checking in

When you have a new client, ask him/her to stop by our office and complete a Prospect Identification Form (Find a copy online at www.REALTOR.org/Safety). Also, photocopy their drive's license and retain this information at your office. Be certain to properly discard this personal information when you no longer need it.

 

Tip #3

Don't be too public

Limit the amount of personal information you share. Consider advertising without using your photograph, home phone number and/or home address in the newspaper or on business cards. Don't use your full name with middle name or initial. Use your office address-or list no address at all. Giving out too much of the wrong information can make you a target.

 

Tip #4

Touch base

Always let someone know where you are going and when you will be back; leave the name and phone number of the client you are meeting and schedule a time for your office to call you to check in.

 

Tip #5

Open house: it ain't over till it's over

Don't assume that everyone has left the premises at the end of an open house. Check all of the rooms and the backyard prior to locking the doors. Be prepared to defend yourself, if necessary.

 

Tip #6

Stranger danger

Tell your clients not to show their home be themselves. Alert 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.

 

Tip #7

Sturdy doors are key to home safety

Make sure that all your home's doors to the outside are metal or solid, 1 ¾" hardwood and have good, sturdy locks.

 

 

 

Tip #8

Block identity theft

Contact the fraud department of any of the three consumer reporting companies-Equifax®, Experian and Trans Union®--to place a fraud alert on your credit report. The fraud alert automatically lets credit card companies and other creditors know they must contact you before opening any new accounts or making any changes to your existing accounts.

 

Tip #9

Keep track of all colleagues

Have a check-out employee board at your office, listing your name, destination, customer name, date and expected return time.

 

Tip #10

Wear your REALTOR® ID

Always wear visible company identification such as a badge. It is also best to drive a vehicle clearly marked with your company name. These will be invaluable for identification if you need to get assistance.

 

Tip #11

Bring up the rear

When showing a home, always have your prospect walk in front of you. Don't lead them, but rather, direct them from a position slightly behind them. You can gesture for them to go ahead of you and say, for example, "The master suite is in the back of the house".

 

Tip #12

Pick up some self-defense skills

The best way to find a good self-defense class is to learn what is available, and then make a decision. Many health clubs, martial arts studios and community colleges offer some type of class. You can also ask your peers, friends and family if they have taken a self-defense class that they would recommend.

 

Tip #13

You take the wheel

Whenever possible, take your own car to a showing. When you leave your car, lock it.

 

Tip #14

Shield your computer from e-mail viruses

Computer viruses can impair and seriously damage your computer. Viruses are often distributed via attachments in e-mail spam. Never open an attachment from someone you don't know, and, if you receive a strange or impersonal-sounding message from a familiar address, check with that person to make sure that they really sent it.

 

Tip #15

Got cell service, everywhere?

When you're showing commercial property, thick walls and/or remote locations may interfere with mobile phone reception. Check in advance to be sure your phone is serviceable in the area in which you are showing property.

 

Tip #16

Choose flight over fight

While every real estate agent should take a basic self-defense course, the primary goal in any threatening situation is to escape from immediate danger and call for help.

 

Tip #17

"Who's calling?"

Install caller I.D. on your telephone, which should automatically reject calls from numbers that have been blocked. This will provide you with immediate information about the source of the call.

 

Tip #18

Watch your trash

Just bought a new entertainment system? A bunch of empty boxes out by the curb triggers an alarm to would-be thieves. Instead of putting boxes out in plain sight, cut them down, and stuff them in trash bags.

 

Tip #19

Hide personal information

Tell your seller: 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 iPods, before your showing.

 

Tip #20

Agree on an office distress code

Create a voice distress code, a secret word or phrase that is not commonly used but can be worked into any conversation for cases where you feel that you ar4e in danger. Use this if the person you are with can overhear the conversation, but you don't want to alarm them. Example: "Hi, this is Jennifer. I'm with Mr. Henderson at the Elm Street listing. Could you e-mail me the RED FILE?"

 

Tip #21

Have your excuse ready

Part of being prepared to deal with a threatening situation is having "an out". Prepare a scenario in advance so that you can leave-or you can encourage someone who makes you uncomfortable to leave. Examples: Your cell phone or pager went off and you have to call your office, you left some important information in your car, or another agent with buyers is on his way.

 

Tip #22

Take 2 seconds when you arrive at your destination to check out potential dangers:

* Is there any questionable activity in the area?
* Are you parked in a well-lit, visible location?
* Can you be blocked in the driveway by another vehicle?

 

 

 

 

 

Tip #23

You are not alone

If you encounter an individual while working late or alone in your office, indicate to that person that you are not alone. Say something like, "Let me check with my supervisor to see whether she's able to see you now."

 

Tip #24

Your e-mail is public

Don't send any vital or private information via e-mail. Keep in mind that unlike Web sites, e-mail is never secure.

 

Tip #25

Don't get lost

If you are in an unfamiliar area, make mental notes of landmarks, pints of interest and intersections. And always know the exact address of where you are going.

 

Tip #26

Careful with cash deposits!

If you periodically carry large deposits to the bank, be especially aware of any strangers lurking around the office parking lot. If you must transport cash deposits, use the buddy system or arrange for a security service or police escort.

 

Tip #27

Lock up client keys

Be sure to use the lockbox property-key procedure that has been established to improve real estate agent safety. A reliable, secure lockbox system such as those made by NAR REALTOR Benefits® Partner SentriLock (www.sentrilock.com) ensures that keys don't fall into the wrong hands.

 

Tip #28

Shop online safely

When shopping online, check out a Web site before entering your credit card number or other personal information. Enter this information only on secure Web pages with addresses that start with "https" and have a closed padlock symbol at the bottom of the browser window. These are signs that your information will be encrypted or scrambled, protecting it from hackers.

 

Tip #29

Nothing personal...

When talking to clients and prospects, be friendly but still keep your personal information private. This means avoiding mention of where you live, your after-work or vacation plans, and similar details.

 

Tip #30

Take two seconds as you walk towards your destination to check out potential risks.

* Are people coming and going or is the area unusually quiet?
* Do you observe any obstacles or hiding places in the parking lot or along the street?
* Is anyone loitering in the area?

 

Tip #31

Be careful with keys

Don't hand out house keys to friends, even if they are trustworthy. Know the location of all your house keys all the time. Never use hide-a-keys or leave the key under the doormat, above the door, in a flowerpot, or anywhere outside the house. You may think you're being clever, but experienced thieves know all the tricks. Also, keep your car keys and house keys on a different ring if you ever use valet parking or leave your keys with parking lot attendants or even at a repair garage.

 

Tip #32

From dawn till dusk

When showing a vacant commercial site, be aware of the time of day you meet a client. Showing a property at dusk or after dark, with no electricity on in the space you are showing, is not advisable.

 

Tip #33

Thwart thieves

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's sake, 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. Some seemingly honest people wouldn't mind getting their hands on a bottle of Viagra, uppers or downers.

 

Tip #34

Long-term thinking

If you think it may be some tie before a property sells (and you may, therefore, be showing it often), get acquainted with a few of the immediate neighbors. You will fee better knowing they know your vehicle, and they will feel better about the stranger (you) who frequently visits their neighborhood.

 

Tip #35

Don't dial and drive!

Using a cell phone while driving can cause an accident. For driving safety, purchase a hands-free phone kit for your vehicle. And never attempt to take notes while driving-pull over and stop in a safe place first.

 

Tip #36

Carry less

If you carry a purse, lock it in your car trunk before arriving at an appointment. Carry only non-valuable business items (except for your cell phone), and do not wear expensive jewelry or watches, or appear to be carrying large sums of money.

 

Tip #37

Don't get parked in

When showing property or meeting someone, park your car in front of the property rather than in the driveway. You will avoid having your car blocked in, you'll have an easier time escaping in your vehicle, and you will attract lots of attention running and screaming to your car at the curb area.

 

 

Tip #38

Monitor your financial accounts

Open our credit card bills and bank statements right away. Check for any unauthorized charges or withdrawals and report them immediately. Call if bills don't arrive on time. It may mean that someone has changed contact information to hide fraudulent charges.

 

Tip #39

Take two seconds to pause and look around as you enter your destination.

* Does anything seem out of place?
* Is anyone present who shouldn't be there or who isn't expected?

 

Tip #40

Plan ahead with escape routes

Upon entering an open house property for the first time, check each room and determine at least two "escape" routes. Make sure all deadbolt locks are unlocked for easy access to the outside

 

Tip #41

Keep it professional

All of your marketing materials should be polished and professional. Don't use alluring or provocative photography in advertising, on Web or on our business cards. There are many documented cases of criminals actually circling photographs of their would-be victims in newspaper advertisements.

 

Tip #42

Best practices for model home showings

When a person comes through the office to view a model home, have them complete a guest register that includes their full name, address phone number, e-mail, and vehicle information.

 

Tip #43

Safe apartment living

Moving into an apartment? Have the locks changed when you move in. (The maintenance crew can simply swap lock cylinders with a random vacant apartment, a project that is free and takes only a few minutes.) And just use your last name, or if necessary last name and first initial, on your door or mailbox. This keeps strangers from knowing your gender or how many people live in your apartment.

 

Tip #44

 

 

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Follow these 8 tips to Stay Safe in 2012!

Safety is and always will be a top priority for LR and its members. With a new year upon us, we want to share and refresh some safety tips and tricks to help make 2012 as safe as possible.

Showing a new home to potential clients can be an exciting experience, but if you're alone, working late, or in a remote location, it can also be dangerous. Open houses can be prime targets for criminals and people aren't always who they seem.

Being aware of basic safety guidelines can increase your chances of not becoming a victim and keep your daily business activities fun, profitable, and safe. LR has established 8 safety tips to keep in mind when on the job:
1. Don't host an open house alone; take along a colleague. Never show properties alone at night or advertise it as vacant.
2. Always have prospects meet you at your office the first time. Get a license plate number and leave it at the front desk. Just explain that it is office policy; a client who means no harm won't mind.
3. Always take your own car for showings. When you leave your car, lock it.
4. Let potential buyers take the lead when exploring a home, with you following behind. Avoid going into the basement or confined areas with a prospect.
5. Be careful how you dress. Flashy or expensive jewelry might attract the wrong kind of attention.
6. Preview the property ahead of time so that you are familiar with the area.
7. Always carry a cell phone where it is easily accessible (not in the purse you left in the car or stowed in a kitchen cabinet).
8. Implement a buddy system. Enlist at least 5 colleagues or close friends that you can rely on in case of emergency. Let them know your whereabouts prior to showing a property and trust that they will have your back.

 

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