American Home Shield (AHS®) Account Executive Lisa Haupt is a born protector. As a third degree black belt and American Taekwondo Association World Champion, Haupt is well trained to keep her partner Todd and their six children safe and secure if a threat ever presents itself.
As a former REALTOR®, Haupt worked to protect her clients by faithfully promoting a range of AHS products, in addition to using them herself. When an opportunity to work full-time for the home warranty company developed, she jumped at the chance.
Now, she’s tying her training and industry experience together, picking up on something she used to do with colleagues at her former real estate office.
“When I took the job at AHS, I told my boss about the self-defense sessions I used to do as a REALTOR®, and he thought it would be a good idea to share them with all of our partner agents and offices.”
Haupt notes that while only a few companies took her up on her offer during the first few months, since the tragic murder of Arkansas REALTOR® Beverly Carter, she’s conducted 14 or 15 sessions.
While her training typically involves a number of hands-on maneuvers, Haupt goes on to say that there are a few tips every REALTOR® should use to better protect themselves during every appointment, particularly when alone with clients.
“Agents need to be aware of where they and their clients are at all times. This means not being distracted by the phone, a text message or something else. As you’re escorting clients around a home, always keep them in front of you, especially when walking up or down stairs,” says Haupt.
Haupt also explains that unless there are specific features or finished rooms that need to be showcased, it’s best to let prospective buyers peek into—or explore—basements while waiting for them at or near the top of the stairs.
She also suggests that agents use their cellphone to take a picture of the client and their vehicle when they arrive at a showing or open house. And make sure the license plate number is visible.
“Then, they should forward that image, along with the name of the client and their exact location to a colleague or loved one.”
Finally, Haupt suggests every REALTOR® obtain and carry a large, heavy metal flashlight in case they need to defend themselves.
In the end, Haupt notes that protecting real estate professionals is not something that should be taken lightly. And neither should the process of protecting buyers and sellers through the use of home warranties. From her tenure as a REALTOR®, Haupt fully understands the valuable role that AHS plays in protecting clients while elevating the customer service aspect of their professional relationships with every buyer and seller.
For more information, please visit www.ahs.com/realestate.
