It Only Takes Once. Are You Ready?

This isn’t your typical real estate investment blog topic. I know. As real estate investors we are always busy worrying about protecting our assets on paper. However I want to challenge your way of thinking about your daily activities and what you do that makes you vulnerable to your physical well-being and security of yourself and your properties. In fact many of you probably don’t even realize you’re exposed. Lets see if I can’t open your mind and eyes a little.

To begin with I first need to cover why I know that most of you need protection of some sort. I can imagine many of you men out there are saying “I got it covered. I can handle my own” or even many women who say they are careful or even to the many who are firearm owners who feel they are safe because they carry a weapon or have one hidden somewhere. I challenge all of you to see that it may not be good enough. In fact, I am going to go as far to say that the person who is trying to harm you, rob you or destroy your property is always at the advantage and several steps ahead of you. In most cases no matter how much you may know or learn, you’re at some sort of disadvantage. So back to why I know most of you need protection because we all do in todays culture. It only takes once to be a victim that can cost you a lot of money or possibly your life. I watch many of you out there walking around on your cell phones, doing business, in a hurry and not aware of your surroundings. You function in what many in the firearms industry call being in “condition white”. The properties you have placed large investments in have locks on the doors that are easily kicked in, poor lighting and equipment can be left outside while under construction that just begs to be stolen.   

Now don’t get me wrong, this isn’t everyone but I see it all the time. Why? I have educated myself and once you know what you know, you see it. I don’t wish to be a victim and the only way to avoid it is to be proactive. My guess is that you don’t want to be a victim either however you don’t know what you don’t know. So humor me a moment while I point out a few things. Some may be obvious and some you may not of thought of. Either way maybe I can get you to think in a different way as you go about your daily work around your properties and elsewhere.

First of all what are some of reasons why real estate investors need to think of security? Here are a few: We visit houses (sometimes vacant or in less than desirable neighborhoods) with unknown people. We drive around neighborhoods we are not familiar with. We deal with people that can be in desperate situations in their life and may be emotionally unstable. We might be one bad deal away from pushing them over the edge. You could easily walk into one of your vacant properties while it is being robbed. We hire contractors we don’t always know very well. The list could go on. You get the idea. We are in the people business and people can be flawed.

Now that I have you thinking of some scenarios of what makes us vulnerable, what could possibly go wrong? You could be followed home and robbed. Your construction site could be broken into. While you’re in your car on the phone (yes, you know you do that) someone can easily harm you while you’re distracted. Women I need to say something specific to you. I would like to think I am a very capable woman. I’ve been trained in the use of firearms and self-protection. I can tell you I am not capable enough to know every situation and able to know without a certainty I can protect myself well enough against an attacker. As I said before, being the defender automatically puts you at a disadvantage both because of time reaction and not knowing what is coming at you. Women, we also have a strength issue that defensive moves and firearms may help but avoiding situations are the best tactics by having awareness of your surroundings at all times. I’m not advocating living in fear. I am advocating living in “condition yellow” which simply means being aware of your surroundings enough that you could respond in a moments notice. You aren’t missing what is happening but you aren’t paranoid. That is where you should live. Not with your head looking down at your feet or at your phone. That is when you can be caught off guard. You might be thinking that the chances of something happening is rare and you just don’t want to live like a guard dog. Two points to note about this. First is you get used to this level of awareness and enjoy seeing all that is around you. It is actually amazing! Second point is that something bad only has to happen once to you or someone next to you to impact your life forever and not for the good or your property. The cost can’t be counted. 

So how can you protect yourself from situations such as theft, bodily harm or worse? As real estate investors we hire lawyers and accountants for asset protection and insurance for loss recovery but some things you just can’t replace. First of all, just like in Bigger Pockets, education is important. It never stops. Educate yourself on how to protect your rental properties from theft. Sometimes it is as easy as changing that door frame that your dead bolt locks to and increase your lighting around the property while trimming the trees to open up the viewing to the house. Seems obvious but did you forget to do it? Are there new products on the market to make it easier for you? Have you considered keeping a dog in the house that is under construction while you’re away at night? A really big dog! Do you have a really high end home that you’re planning on making big money on? Ask someone you know to camp out in it and pay them. Use your phone only when you can see your surroundings. Don’t look down. If you’re walking to your car, have your keys out and ready. Get in and lock the door and leave. Do not sit on the phone. Have you considered joining a local self-defense class? It is a great way to get in shape! There are many different types out there and some are better than others. I can give some advice to those who are interested (I have no affiliation with any).  Many of you are probably firearms owners. Have you been to the range to practice lately? I know, I know. You are a good shot! I’ve heard it all. If your not regularly practicing you are not going to be safe nor are you going to have the muscle memory you need in an emergency situation. Remember I already stated you will be at a disadvantage already being in the defensive position. You need every advantage you can get. So many people bought firearms during this Obama administration and over the Christmas holiday season for their spouse or even themselves. Have you gotten trained on how to be proficient with it? There are techniques, knowledge, practice drills and accessories to make you more accurate and faster which means better chances for you. There are many firearms training facilities throughout the U.S. nowadays. The best place to start is to get your concealed carry permit, if you so desire and your state laws allow for it. This will give you some bare basic knowledge to begin with. But don’t stop there. After that I would encourage you to locate and invest in a good training school. Again, I can recommend several options (although I have favorites, I do not work for any).

You may be wondering what the cost of some of this is going to be. I mean we are in this business to make money. Who wants to spend it! Right? Let me ask you this first. What is the cost if you don’t and something goes wrong just once? Can you afford to take that chance? Obviously we’ve discussed several scenarios with several forms of protection and these are just examples and not an exhaustive list. The costs will vary from a few dollars to trim tress and fix a door lock to hiring a security guard outside an apartment complex full-time to joining a gun club while buying all new equipment. My point is that it is endless. What is it worth to you? What is your unique situation?

I hope I have got you thinking a little bit about your surroundings, your business, your properties, the people you deal with everyday, your family and how aware you are daily. If I have not done any more than that I have succeeded. Please consider expanding your real estate knowledge into this area as well. I would love to hear from you and although I am not an expert, I would be happy to try and answer any questions you have or find a resource that can!