Today, our local association sent out an email with, among other things, links to Real Estate's 6 Most Dangerous Everyday Situations, written by Melissa Dittmann Tracey. Now, these were all very common sense things that we all know to do - or not to do.
But, Melissa forgot the big one!
She forgot the huge one!
So what is it?
It's the car, stupid! And I'm not talking about a car with a new buyer sitting in it, which is covered by Tip No. 6: "Transporting strangers in your car".
My friends, it's not the strangers in our cars that are a threat to us. We are - probably more of - a threat to them!
So many Realtors I know are terrible drivers. It's not that they are inherently maniacal behind the wheel. But they multi-task like crazy - talking on their cell phones (and forget the hands free stuff), check their messages on their Blackberries, wolf down the Big Mac for lunch, and forget looking where they are going! Instead their eyes are on the new For Sale sign that sprouted up on the front yard of the listing they thought they were getting.
Oops!
My problem with the article isn't that the advice is without merit. It is important to use common sense at Opens and while showing houses. But I think the focus is entirely misplaced.
I know many agents who have been involved in accidents caused by distracted drivers. I know a few who I will not get into a car with when they are driving. I don't know a single one, in over almost 30 years in the business, who has been put in any danger from a customer or client.
So if you are really serious about keeping yourself safe on the job, you'll focus on the road while you are driving - not on your phone or your latest text message or your lunch.
