Selling real estate involves spending lots of time in your car as you travel from property to property, and mishaps can occur while you’re behind the wheel. Whether it’s a collision that leaves your vehicle immobile and looking for attorneys from Nehora Law Firm to get the justice you deserve or a flat tire on a lonely stretch of road, setbacks can happen while you’re on the move trying to build your business.
Having the right emergency items on hand can help you bounce back from most automotive calamities. Listed below are key items every real estate agent needs to keep in the car:
1. Jump Starter
A dead battery can leave you stranded and cause you to miss important sales appointments. Even worse, being left stranded may put your safety in jeopardy if you find yourself stuck in a dangerous part of town.
Booster cables can help you get the charge you need, but they require a second vehicle to send power to your battery. Jump starters don’t have this limitation. A jump starter delivers the charge a dead battery craves, and it’s able to do so without the assistance of a second car. This provides you with a certain level of independence in some emergency situations.
The only drawback to jump starters is that they need to be charged on a regular basis. Fortunately, some jump-starter manufacturers offer free recharge alerts that notify you when it’s time to give your valuable safety equipment some juice.
2. Fire Extinguisher
Automotive fires happen more frequently than many people realize. Information shared by the National Fire Protection Association reveals that 10 percent of all reported fires take place in a motor vehicle. Surprisingly, collisions and overturns are a factor in only 4 percent of these fires. Approximately two-thirds of all automobile fires are caused by mechanical or electrical breakdowns and malfunctions.
Fires spread quickly, and they can put your safety at risk. At the very least, they can make short work of damaging or destroying the vehicle you rely on to take you to and from appointments. Having a fire extinguisher available in your car allows you to swiftly douse the flames if a blaze develops.
3. Cell Phone Charger
A cell phone allows you to easily call for help in emergency situations. However, a cell phone only works if it’s charged, so it’s important to have a cell phone charger on hand in your vehicle. You’ll want a device that’s able to charge even if your car has lost power, so look for a charger with its own internal battery or a solar panel.
4. Flashlight and Batteries
A flashlight will help you navigate the situation if you find yourself stuck on a dark road. Make sure to include extra batteries so the flashlight will always have a power source.
5. Drinking Water and Nutrient-Dense Snacks
Keep some drinking water on hand so you can keep yourself hydrated if you find yourself stranded for long periods of time. Always have nutrient-dense snacks such as nuts or dried fruit within reach to provide you with the energy and nourishment you need to deal with difficult situations.
6. Spare Tire, Jack and Lug Wrench
It’s not always safe to change a spare tire yourself. If you get a flat on the freeway and need to change a tire on the traffic-side of the road, it’s best to call a towing company and have one of their experts tackle the task.
However, there are circumstances in which you can save yourself time and money by changing your own flat tire. Make sure you have a spare tire, jack and lug wrench available in your vehicle at all times so you’ll have the tools you need to manage this chore.
7. Flares and Reflective Triangles
If your vehicle breaks down, it’s important to provide a visual warning to other vehicles. Failure to do so could cause a collision. Flares and reflective triangles let oncoming traffic know there’s an immobile vehicle ahead.
8. Ice Scraper and Warm Clothing
If you live in a part of the country that experiences cold weather and snow, you’ll want to make sure you always have certain items on hand. An ice scraper helps you keep your windshield clear, and warm clothing protects you from frigid temperatures if you’re stranded in a breakdown.
As a real estate agent, you know preparation is important when negotiating a property transaction. If you approach time spent behind the wheel with same sense of preparedness, you’ll be able to confidently manage most catastrophes that come your way when you’re on the road.
Are you an aspiring agent or real estate professional? Check out our Agent Resource Center for more tips on starting a career, and tools to succeed as an agent.
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