Beth Cheney

It’s a dream job for many – you meet new people, help make home ownership a reality for clients and receive a handsome well-earned reward for your hard work.  And while at first blush it may not seem like a dangerous profession, the safety perils of being a real estate professional should not be ignored. 

In fact, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate there were nearly 100 job-related real estate agent fatalities in 2016.  Moreover, according to the 2017 National Association of Realtors Member Safety Survey, 44 percent of female Realtors and 25 percent of male agents of the 49,000 members surveyed said they experienced a situation in the previous year that gave them fear for either their bodily or personal information safety. The survey goes on to say that 39 percent of NAR members have participated in a self-defense class, broken down by 41 percent males and 37 percent females. 

Predators are not discriminatory in their criminality. If a situation is ripe for illicit activity, the con game, unfortunately, is on. This sad state of affairs can come home to roost for even the most seasoned real estate pros who sometimes schedule showings in secluded locations with people who have not been screened. 

Location, Location Location 

Improving agent safety goes hand in hand with reducing the possibility for a dangerous situation.   

Whenever possible, real estate agents should meet clients in the office or another public location prior to engaging in a private showing. It’s wise to ask for some form of identification to confirm clients are who they claim to be. 

“Location, location, location” may be the real estate pro’s mantra, but that also applies to your safety. Before leaving for a showing, a colleague, friend, relative, etc. should have the address of the property being shown, along with the name of the client the agent is meeting.  There also exist devices that can track the location of a phone and there is also an available rapid emergency response software solution that provides inconspicuous alert notification from cell phones or other personal devices. The latter is a system whereby users have a choice of configuration options to alert law enforcement, on-site security, emergency responders or others that they are in trouble or feeling vulnerable.   

Programming emergency phone numbers as “favorites” is another safeguard. While some often- accessed numbers may be as familiar as the back of a hand, in an alarming situation they may escape the mind. 

Make a Mark, Don’t Be a Mark 

It may seem just plain common sense, but it must be said: Agents should always let clients walk ahead so they are in full view, particularly if going down a flight of stairs heading to a basement; in this case it’s better to be a follower than a leader.   

You should also keep the keys in your control at all times. Leaving them outside the property in usual suspect locations – under a doormat, above the door, etc – is an invitation to trouble.  The use of a secure, electronic lockbox system cannot be overstated.  Yes, the lockbox has become the standard mode of entry, but as a failsafe against technical glitches, sometimes a key is placed elsewhere in near–plain sight. Intruders are crafty and may be on the lookout for that kind of lapse in judgement. 

A professional and sophisticated appearance is what most real estate agents strive for but in that quest to project a successful image, some may go overboard. Putting a best fashion foot forward is one thing, but it might be smart to keep the real expensive jewelry, watch and other pricey accessories safely at home. Ditto when taking photos for marketing materials. The idea is to make a mark in the industry, not to be a mark for a wrongdoer.   

Likewise, some real estate pros go the extra mile when it comes to appearance and drive a highly trendy or classically stylish vehicle. Yes, an expensive car does convey a sign of success, but it may also send a “ripe for the picking” signal to those with criminal intent. 

At the core of personal safety – regardless of circumstances – is trust in that gut instinct. Victims of crime often have a sense of imminent danger. If you sense something feels “off” and have an innate suspicion about someone, you should halt the initial meeting/showing/open house, etc. and find the first door out!  

Call it a sign of the times, but there are new security and software programs being developed along the lines of a “first alert” system, which can connect a person who senses danger or difficulty with a network of law enforcement or other trusted advisors immediately. In all cases, Realtors should trust their instincts and remember the adage that it is better to be safe than sorry. 

Beth Cheney is COO at Computer Systems Integrated, the creators of Red DOT, a rapid emergency digital response software solution used in the real estate industry.