September 28 2015
This month, we're publishing content from a course on Realtor Safety. This is the eleventh in a series of articles that teaches Realtors how to prevent being a victim of crime. Read the previous article here.
A few of the most useful tools you have to keep yourself safe are your ability to read the prospect's body language, para-verbal communication, and verbal communication. Body language enompasses their body position relative to you, facial expressions, eye movements, hand position, etc. Para-verbal communication is all the parts of speech that are not the words themselves, such as tone, cadence (speed), and volume.
When reading the following, it is important to keep a few things in mind:
The following can be indicators of someone who is ill at ease.
Changes in para-verbal communication can be signals that something has changed in the emotional and physical state of the prospect.
Verbal communication that could indicate red flags include:
If you identify a pattern of behaviors that seem to indicate that the prospect is attempting to escalate the meeting from a professional encounter to an unprofessional encounter, as if they are "testing the waters" to see how open you will be to an advance AND you notice isolating behaviors such as constantly looking out of windows, you should be particularly wary.
It is worth noting that everyone exhibits the behaviors mentioned in this section at one time or another and each behavior in and of itself does not indicate that an individual is a threat. However, it is the combination of behaviors without a seemingly apparent reason for the changes that should act as a red flag.
If you begin to feel uncomfortable, it's important that you control your emotions and reactions to them. Reacting calmly and deliberately will ensure you are making safe decisions. The apparent lack of reaction on your part will make the situation less attractive if the prospect intends harm.
Read the next article in this series now: How the Real Estate Community Can Protect Itself
September is RealtorĀ® Safety Month. Throughout the month, RE Technology will be publishing excerpts from an educational course on Realtor Safety in partnership with safety app creator Real Safe Agent. Here's the list of articles that have been published to date:
Please consider sharing this important information with your colleagues, your agents (brokers), and membership (MLSs and associations)!