As most of my clients are repeat or referral clients, I don't worry much about precautions. Otherwise I do have a meeting first in my office... and I never show up alone to show a listing to someone I don't know.

Hi Paul.

Of course you know I'm packing 24/7.  Bring it on, otherwise meet them in your office first and let someone know where you're going

The great majority of my business is by referral so I typically meet them at a property after a detailed phone discussion.  If my gut sends a bad vibe, you can bet we meet somewhere public first (and not in an after-hours, no one else is there office).  I've make sure a colleague knows my whereabouts for "stangers" and I've made "check in calls" in the presence of a new buyer so that they knew people were "watching".   Oh!  And pepper spray.  And since I don't have my carry permit, I do like it when my buyers' (who I have established positive relationships with) do have theirs! 

It varies.

Paul,

It is all about trusting your instincts.  A

Yes I try to meet them at a neutral place like the office first unless I talk with them at length on the phone or email. Others I just meet at the house but after talking & emailing at length.

Yes, not only do I meet them at the office for a first meeting and quick consultation, this is typically the starting point for subsequent meetings as well. Also, it is our practice to ask for an ID.  Serious buyers don't have an issue with this. 

if tammy needs to meet a buyer outside of the office, Andy usually accompanies her.....

While 95% of my business is working with Developers and Builders I do still meet with Buyers. Most of those Buyers 1st contacts come when they are visiting a model home BUT when I get a call asking if I could show a house that a potential client is sitting in front of I (when time allows) agree to meet them and the precautions I use is telling someone who cares where I'm going and I am always packing heat Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®,CRS, 

Probably not enough. I do the initial meet in a public place.

I do not show up "by myself."

Preference is to meet at office/coffee shop/Panera  but that is not always practical. 

Not all the time.

Meeting in the office for any new buyers.  This is one of the reasons that I'm not doing leasing.  With purchase I like to send them to the lender first for pre-approval, if possible.  By then the lender already knows a lot about them. 

Time is too valuable to waste on people who are not ready to buy, meet at the office and get ALL of the paperwork done before beginning.

When it is possible I meet them at the office with my Father there as well. If not possible I meet them at the property and always have my guard up. I tell at least 3 people where I am going and if I really have a uneasy feeling I will take someone with me or have a sheriff meet me at the property. 

I prefer to meet at the office.

        Meet at a neutral location for lunch or coffee.  Somewhere with video cameras.  Restaurant, coffee shop, hotel lobby, Whole Foods deli, whatever their comfort zone is.   

     "Hi Paul, thanks for meeting me.  You said you want to buy a house; tell me more, what do you have in mind.  Are you working with another agent?  What have you seen so far, online or actually going inside houses?  What about funding...  will you be getting a loan, or paying with cash?"   Etc. etc.

    Precautions when we go look at properties?  Separate cars.  I stay aware of my surroundings.  I have the necessary training and equipment to defend myself (or my client) against aggressors.

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®,CRS, Always meet first.

It depends if they are referred or just a random caller. Most often i meet them first. Many showings we are now doing in pairs anyway

Dropping everything to go meet someone at a house is a big waste of time.  My buyer emotional pre-qualification process takes about an hour and is conducted here at the office.  Part of the meotional pre-qual is completeion of a buyers rep agreement and getting financial pre-qual.

Office call is the way to go. 

I usually start off with a phone conversation. I find out if they are working with an Agent allready- because many will call & have someone allready. Then I get their contact information, reason for moving & find out if they are preapproved. I may ask some other basic questions. I usually end up meeting them at the property that they are interested in & showing them one home the first time out. Then once we've met in person we can decide where it's headed. 

No office to meet people at.  I meet at the property with my friends Smith & Wesson or Heckler and Koch.

 Prior to first meeting I require a photo id on file in our office.  They can text or email it or they can meet me at the office prior to viewing the property. For me this is a small step to knowing who I am meeting and let's our entire office know where I will be.  I just put it in a folder on my desk until after the first meeting.  No ID on file, No meeting.  During the two years that this policy has been in place only two people have refused and I have no idea where they are now.  

If I know them already from my friends list I meet them at the house.

I  have someone to accompany me at showings when I have the gut feeling that I really don't know these people.  

Door #1

I enjoy working with buyers. As a professional I know how important time frames can be during a home purchase, therfore, I meet in the office and have the buyer discuss purchase options with our in house lender. Once we establish the financial plan we can set a precise path to execute and timely search for the perfect home for the buyer.

It totally depends. I'm in a very upscale area. Most of them bring cash to the table. Often listing agents here on the Monterey Peninsula want to be present at showings, so there's an extra person right there. I do vet them, many of them I don't EVER meet. Although I have an office in Carmel-by-the-Sea, I seldom have clients come here. But it is important to them that I have this, it's just more convenient to meet at the properties or at their homes. Do I worry about my safety? If my gut tells me I should bring someone else along, I'll do it.

Safety is very important, Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®,CRS, . I would always recommend meeting a new buyer for the first time at the office - and introduce them to a few people as well prior to showing.

I carry concealed. I've also taken self defense courses and go to the shooting range at least once a month. I prefer not to meet at a property. But there are times when it's the best way to make initial contact with a client.

Yes.

Depending on the property.  Like James Dray, I am also packing and I am very proficient with my piece.   But there are times I do take special precautions

NAR shared a quick Facebook video on Safety Tips (including "When Meeting For The First Time" protocols to implement) that I shared on our page this week, Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®,CRS,. - Tim

All depends on time of meeting and how the meeting came about.

All buyers are vetted - both with me and my lending partner before they get my time and attention.

Meet them first even if it is at a coffee shop.

I do if I get any odd feelings, or have no knowledge about them.

always at my office the first time.  Perhaps at a house once I've been with them prior.  And I vet as well as I can prior to any meeting.

I google a new client. 

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®,CRS, - I meet the buyers in my office or at their home. Now I do not show the home after the first meeting in person only.