Fayetteville-based Clark Partners Realty Group announced new safety guildelines for its agents in response to last year’s murder of Arkansas Realtor Beverly Carter.
Effective immediately the firm’s agents will no longer be permitted to conduct an initial meeting with prospective home buyers at a property for sale. Agents will be required to meet buyers at the firm’s office in downtown Fayetteville or at a public meeting spot where the agent will obtain a photo of the individual’s identification to be emailed or text messaged to the office or broker as a safety precaution.
In addition to in-house policy changes, Clark Partners Realty Group will also establish an “open door” policy for agents affiliated with other firms. Realtor members will be welcome to use CPRG’s conference room to meet with a prospective buyer for the first time during regular business hours. Additionally, the firm’s staff will offer the service of photocopying the buyer’s identification to create a record for the guest agent.
“If an agent that works out of a Rogers office is showing property in Fayetteville it’s understandable that he or she might have a difficult time convincing the consumer that it’s worth the trip to Rogers for that very first meeting. This ‘open door’ policy is meant to eliminate that inconvenience,” said Anthony Clark, the firm’s principal broker. CPRG will actively encourage other firms, title companies, and banks to adopt similar “open door” policies to create environments across Northwest Arkansas where Realtors can feel safe.