According to the National Association of Realtors, the goal of the REALTOR® Safety Program is to reduce the number of safety incidents that occur in the industry, so every REALTOR® comes home safely to his or her family every night.
“We will accomplish this goal together with our members by improving the Safety Culture in the industry: Talk about safety; create a safety plan and follow it; and encourage your fellow REALTORS® to do the same.” - National Association of Realtors
A class we recently hosted, [Safety is Non-Negotiable}, got us thinking about all the ways our agents can look out for their own safety.
In the call, instructor Jay Thompson covered a ton of topics on the call and shared the Beverly Carter story, which is traumatic, so please know some of the details are shared in the call. Jay covered physical and professional safety topics from self-defense, situational awareness, wearable technology and more. We’ve included Jay’s resources and safety products as well.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
More education about protecting yourself as a real estate professional.
SAFETY PRODUCTS
We’ve also compiled a few other resources to help you stay safe out there.
Here are some of NAR’s top recommended action items for REALTORS®
Additionally, NAR provides a robust list of resources for personal protection.
As a REALTOR®, it’s important you have a personal safety protocol in place that you use every day with every client, like when meeting new clients, showing properties or sharing information online. There are a variety of tools you can add to your personal safety protocol, such as the smartphone apps and safety products listed here.
Note: The safety applications and products listed are for informational purposes only. They are not endorsed by nor have they been vetted by the National Association of REALTORS®, and their inclusion on this website does not constitute a recommendation by NAR and should not be inferred as suggesting a preference over other applications or products currently available in the market. The information provided is a selection of safety resources designed to help you determine what tools may best fit into your personal and professional life.
Find the full list of safety products here.
On essential piece of a Realtor’s job that can be dangerous is holding an open house.
Here are 12 tips from the Texas Real Estate Research Center to conduct a safe open house.
Have the seller remove all valuables from the home before the showing. An open house provides potential burglars a way to map out a home and identify valuables to target. Belongings like video game consoles, jewelry, and important documents should be removed from the property and kept somewhere safe.
Have the seller remove all valuables from the home before the showing. An open house provides potential burglars a way to map out a home and identify valuables to target. Belongings like video game consoles, jewelry, and important documents should be removed from the property and kept somewhere safe.
Bring a colleague or friend to the open house. It is always good practice to have another set of eyes and ears to alert you to potential threats.
Check in with someone even if you are not alone at the open house. Notify someone off-property, like a colleague, friend, or relative, that you will be calling them every hour, on the hour. If you don't call, they are to call you. You should also give them the address and turn on location sharing if possible.
Create an escape plan. When you first enter a house, check all rooms to determine several escape routes. Unlock deadbolts and open a couple of windows to facilitate a faster escape. If the backyard is fenced, be sure you can escape from there as well.
Check your cell signal before the open house. Make sure your phone is charged and has an adequate signal. Program emergency numbers on speed dial.
Walk behind the prospect. Do not lead the client around the home; instead, direct them around the house from behind. The prospect should always be in your “10 and 2" range of vision.
Avoid small rooms. Stay close to the exits in attics, basements, and other small rooms. Do not let yourself be cornered.
Have a sign-in procedure to identify prospects. Have all open house visitors sign in with their full name, address, phone number, email, and vehicle information. When scheduling a one-on-one showing, be sure to photograph the prospect's identification card and send the picture to someone in your office.
Keep your keys and phone on your person. Your handbag should be locked in the trunk of your vehicle.
Keep an eye out for suspicious activity. If anything is out of the ordinary—like a man wearing a long coat on a hot day, or someone asking about when the sellers are coming home—do not be afraid to cut the showing short. However, the best course of action is to stay calm and not show fear. Confidence is key, and always keep your head up. For added protection, ask neighbors to keep an eye out for suspicious activity.
Make sure everyone is out of the home before locking up. Do not assume the home is empty after the open house. Check every room to make sure no one has stayed in the home. Make sure all windows and doors are locked.
Trust your gut. If something feels wrong, it very well may be. You should remain alert and aware. If you need to cut the open house short or alert the authorities, do not be afraid to do so. Remain professional, and get out quickly if you need to.
Another important part of Realtor safety is protecting your mental health. Check out this article on The Close for tips on how to deal with toxic clients.
As noted earlier, whether you’re a new agent or you’ve been in the business for decades, it’s easy to get complacent, and incorporating preventative safety practices can sometimes seem like a hassle that eats up your valuable time.
Having well-practiced safety routines in place can help you to see warning signs and avoid risk. NAR’s September webinars will help you handle the risks that real estate agents face in the course of their work.
It’s an interactive conversation where you can hear from other professionals and their experiences. You’ll come away with some key takeaways like how to spot danger and how to navigate it once it finds you.
Avoiding REALTOR® Danger Zones
Date: September 15, 2021, 1 to 2 p.m. Central Time
Register
Conference Year-Round + REALTOR® Safety Discussion: Avoiding REALTOR® Danger Zones
Date: September 16, 2021, 1 to 2 p.m. Central Time
Register
What other safety tips do you like to keep in mind? Let us know.
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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.
