NAR’s Realtor Security Advisory Committee is recommending that MLSs add and use eight new information fields to assist in agent security. These fields would point out if a home is vacant; unheated; has minimal or no exterior lighting; minimal or no inside lighting; distant/restricted visibility from the highway; electrical energy not on; inconsistent cell service; and others.

I’ve to agree there are occasions when I’ve taken a consumer to see a property and located some surprises. I’ve all the time carried a number of flashlights as a result of the times are brief within the winter and owners don’t all the time go away the lights on. Typically it’s so darkish that we are able to’t even discover the home.

Including new fields to the MLS is a giant deal. I’ve been on the MLS advisory committee for my MLS for a few years and the request so as to add fields to the MLS comes up reasonably typically. When you have ever entered an inventory into an MLS, you may be shocked by what number of fields there are already — and there can be extra earlier than you’re achieved studying this text.

The proposed fields would solely be seen to actual property brokers which is ok. There are some who imagine that the fields may stigmatize a property. I supposed that would occur in areas of the nation which might be experiencing a robust consumers’ market.

I completely agree that brokers must be made conscious of frequent hazards that may be discovered on a property, however I don’t suppose including new fields to MLSs is one of the best resolution. Probably the most helpful MLS fields are those who can be utilized in searches. We will search by property dimension, variety of rooms, varieties of heating or cooling, and a lot extra.

We have already got a spot to notice hazardous situations

Hazardous situations must be included within the displaying directions. They will simply be modified or eliminated if situations on the property change. Quite a few hazards could be listed within the displaying directions in larger element. This might be carried out as we speak. The truth is, a few of us have been mentioning hazards in displaying directions for years now.

It’s great that there’s a security advisory committee. I don’t suppose being a Realtor is extra harmful than different jobs, however a few of the risks are distinctive to the trade. Any job or job web site could be made safer.

Brokers who spend a whole lot of time driving and utilizing cellphones whereas driving could also be in danger for automotive accidents.

Brokers who ship textual content messages and shoot movies of themselves speaking whereas they drive are risking their very own lives and the lives of others.

Working at night time and assembly strangers could be harmful, and Realtors die doing that every yr. Holding open homes is harmful and so is door-knocking and assembly strangers at vacant homes.

Throughout my profession, I’ve been bitten by a canine whereas itemizing a home. I as soon as slipped on a patch of ice in the dead of night on a consumer’s property and suffered bruises and ache for a few weeks.

Again in the course of the housing market crash, I toured many chilly, vacant homes with no electrical energy. A few of them had been creepy, too. We needed to be prepared for something.

Itemizing brokers ought to let others learn about situations on the property that might be hazardous. The shortage of electrical energy is a superb instance and must be talked about within the displaying directions.

Exhibiting directions also needs to point out that the walks won’t be cleared and {that a} flashlight can be wanted to search out the entrance door — which is the place the lockbox with the black numbers on the black background is situated. Advising consumers brokers that there isn’t any warmth and that cellular phone service is iffy could make the displaying safer.

Figuring out as a lot in regards to the property as attainable earlier than the displaying means fewer surprises in the course of the displaying. When the displaying goes easily, there’s a higher probability that consumers will make a suggestion.

13 extra hazards NAR didn’t take into consideration

Right here are some things along with these listed within the eight new fields that must be put in displaying directions:

1. Entrance door lock sticks. Be affected person, jiggle the knob, swear at it, however don’t kick the door.
2. Aged house owner could also be in the home sleeping.
3. Vicious canine subsequent door will bark; keep away from the fence.
4. Don’t let the cat/canine out.
5. Let the cat out if she asks to exit.
6. Ice could also be current on walkway; proprietor by no means shovels.
7. If you happen to can’t discover the home, please name me for assist.
8. Yard has holes in it from earlier proprietor’s canine; take care to not journey.
9. Yard has canine poop in it.
10. Watch out for chickens and hen poop.
11. Alarm is so loud that it could actually shatter eardrums. If you happen to journey it, run and name for assist.
12. Basement stairway may be very slender and rickety; use warning.
13. Poison ivy has been discovered on the property.

That is solely a partial listing and I doubt if there’s any property the place all of those situations are current on the similar time. There are most likely hazards I’ve by no means heard of that apply to homes in different markets.

Brokers ought to all the time make acceptable footwear selections when displaying homes and carry a number of flashlights and umbrellas within the automotive. It’s a good suggestion to have a few towels, a blanket and a primary support equipment.

Please watch out on the market. Checklist and present actual property responsibly in order that nobody is harmed.