1. Do not meet a stranger at any property. Instead, ask to meet at your office or in a public place so others can see the potential buyer too. Take a partner, like another agent or family member, with you, too.

2. Take your car. Avoid riding in a stranger's car.

3. Avoid working after dark. Try to show property only during the daylight and close open houses before dark. If working after sundown is unavoidable, buddy up with a partner.

4. Dress for safety. Dress professionally and avoid wearing expensive, flashy jewelry. Do not carry large amounts of money with you.

5. Arrange a showing itinerary. Use a standard form and always leave a copy at the office or with a family member. Be sure to let the client knows that a copy exists, too.

6. Use a prospect ID form. Prior to showing a property, have a printed form that asks for a prospect's information: name, address, auto make and model, auto tag, driver's license, local address, and two references. Verify the information before you leave.

7. Use an agent ID form. Make sure your office knows your car's make and model and license tag, plus any other important contact information.

8. Set a coded distress signal. Be able to call the office or home with a message that appears harmless to a prospect but would serve as an alert to others that you're in harm's way.

9. Stop working immediately if you pick up on something suspicious. If you notice inconsistent answers from your client, or any abnormal behavior, or anything that signals that something is off, stop working and trust your gut instincts.

10. Notify your broker immediately. The broker should decide what action to take at that time.

This chart summarizes new laws passed by the California Legislature during the first half of the 2014-15 legislative session and the U.S. Congress that may affect, or otherwise be interesting to REALTORS®. Although this webpage is entitled "2015 Laws", some of the laws contained in this list may have already come into effect in 2014 or not be effective until after 2015. More laws will be added to this list as Governor Brown has until September 30, 2014 to veto any bills. For the full text of any law, click onto the legislative number as indicated, or go to http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/ for California laws or http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/ for federal laws.

Get ready to claim your REALTOR® domain name on the Internet. The National Association of REALTORS® announced that the new .REALTOR top-level domain will be available Oct. 23 to NAR members. NAR is offering a free one-year license to the first 500,000 members who register for a .REALTOR domain. For more information, visit www.about.REALTOR.