Following several attacks on real estate agents showing their listings to clients, the criteria to view a home has become much stricter, says Adrian Goslett, regional director and chief executive of Re/Max of Southern Africa.
“Buyers should not be alarmed if their real estate agent asks for a copy of their ID before agreeing to meet with them. This is purely a safety measure to screen buyers and to confi rm they are who they say they are.”
To protect both estate agent and seller, Goslett says many professionals will also carry a panic button in case they encounter a threatening situation while showing the property to buyers.
This button will alert a security response team to come to their immediate assistance.
“These screening and security precautions are to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the buying and selling process, and will make it much more difficult for criminals to enact their plans,” Goslett says