The Gift of Fear
“Trust that what causes alarm probably should, because when it comes to danger, intuition is always right.”
Years ago, when my husband was Sheriff, I attended a conference for the spouses of law enforcement officers. It was there I was given “The Gift of Fear,” a self-help book by Gavin deBecker. It’s an older book, and some of the information presented is now outdated, but the premise is still the same- Trust Your Gut! The book made such an impact on me that I purchased the audio version for my children as well. Though they were teenagers at the time, I hoped they would understand the true importance of the words they would hear.
Once again I was reminded just how important trusting your gut can be. After all these years, the author’s words still jump from the page. It is so easy to believe we’re protected in this little slice of paradise we call Parrish, Florida… and for the most part, we are. But a recent encounter proved no one is truly immune from the threat of violence.
The day started with a call to meet a potential seller about putting a house on the market. There’s nothing inherently unusual about this. The market is extremely competitive right now and sellers are recognizing the importance of working with a Realtor for the best overall value. We usually prepare for the meeting by researching statistics and rough drafting marketing concepts. However, in this case, it wasn’t the amount of preparation that mattered. Instead, it was the “gut feeling” that made all the difference.
In a frightening twist of events, the seller turned out to be a predator, hoping to catch someone off guard. In retrospect, some may suggest, “If you had only done X,” or “If you had prepared with Y, there could have been a different outcome.” In the end, it was the reliance on intuition that likely saved a life.
The outcome could have been devastating, but it was a serious reminder that our lives are worth more than a real estate transaction and that evil exists among us. It was a reminder that while real estate professionals may be competitors, we’re also humans who must be on the same side when it comes to protecting one another. To date, it is estimated this predator contacted over 15 agents. In my 45 years in this business, there have certainly been times I was uncomfortable, but this week’s appointment topped them all.
I’ve used the experience as motivation to once again discuss, at length, the importance of Realtor safety and being prepared!
To all potential buyers and sellers- Please understand we love our jobs and take our profession very seriously. So, when we ask you for proof of who you are, just know that we are protecting ourselves and our families. If we’ve never met, we hope you ask us for identification as well. Keeping each other safe is the most important priority.
Yes, the market is scorching hot!!! If you are ready to move (and have a place to stay), now could be the best time to go for it! Your home could be worth more than you ever dreamed. Make a call to a real estate professional to learn more and remember to stay aware and trust your gut. There is nothing more powerful!