While some real estate agents are suggesting that the security risk attached to show days now makes it necessary to drop them, Greeff Properties have gone on the offensive in a 'take back show days' campaign that, they believe, will cause likeminded agencies throughout the real estate marketing sector to follow suit.

“When we looked at this matter,” said Greeff Properties CEO, Mike Greeff, “we all agreed that show houses are far too useful to be abandoned — they are still the number one means of selling a home. So we came up with a plan of action. We are determined not to become the ‘victims of crime’ by allowing the criminal element to dictate to us. We agreed that we had to be proactive and demonstrate that it will be business as usual.”

This, said Greeff, involved briefing the whole Greeff Properties staff on how to react in or, better still, prevent high risk situations. In addition, security guards have been appointed to man the entrances to the grounds of Greeff Properties’ show houses.

“These guards,” said Graham Leslie, MD Greeff Properties, “will wear identifying bibs and they will insist on seeing some form of personal identification before they will allow an individual or a vehicle into the property. The vehicle registration numbers, makes and colours will also be logged in prior to entry.

“Guards will have communication equipment linked directly to the professional security agency that we employ and the panic buttons, once pressed, will quickly summon an armed response team.”

Greeff Properties run 25 to 30 show houses each weekend in their area. Greef said that their company proved that it is still the best way to market a property.

“Dispensing with this marketing tool would be neither in the seller nor the agent’s interest,” he said.

Greeff Properties agents will therefore be operating within a framework of security measures. They will also insist on seeing (and making copies of) the client’s ID book or other means of identification at, or prior to, any 'view by appointments' especially when they are asked to meet clients at a specific rendezvous. Greeff’s admin staff will assist in verifying clients’ identities.

“There have,” said Greeff, “been cases of agents and their cars being hijacked, but these incidents are, in our view, preventable if one follows the advice of people who have done research into these matters.”

Leslie said that he would report back to the public at large on the success of the initiative and he hopes that the precautions taken will inspire others to follow Greeff’s example and 'stop the rot' in our society.

The public, said Greeff, will also benefit from the measures being taken as they can now visit show houses with greater security.

“Vigilance is, however, still the best tool in one’s armoury and all Capetonians and visitors should be ‘on the lookout’ when in unfamiliar territory.”

Most people accosted, he said, 'had seen the trouble coming', but had reacted too slowly to prevent it. “It is natural to interpret danger signs as non-threatening and to find reasons for them, but the safety conscious person will always immediately take action rather than hope for the best.”