Realtors® face job-related risks every day. Whether you are new to the industry, or a seasoned agent, it is easy to miss warning signs or become complacent in your practices. The National Association of Realtors deemed September as Realtor® Safety Month. The goal is to bring awareness of the potential dangers real estate agents can encounter on the job and reduce the number of industry-related safety incidents.
It is crucial that all real estate professionals learn proven tactics on how to spot and navigate dangerous situations. Here are some key takeaways that you can share with family, friends, clients, and co-workers.
- When talking to clients and prospects, be friendly but still keep your personal information private.
- Don’t assume that everyone has left the premises at the end of an open house.
- Recommend to clients that they should not show their homes by themselves because not all agents, buyers, and sellers are who they claim to be.
- When showing a home, always have your prospects walk in front of you.
- In advance, confirm your phone is serviceable in the area in which you are showing the property.
- Tell sellers to not leave their personal information out in the open where anyone can see it.
- Part of being prepared to deal with a threatening situation is having an “out.” Prepare a scenario in advance so that you can leave.
- Agree on an office distress code – Create a word or phrase that is not commonly used but can be worked into any conversation for situations where you feel that you are in danger.
- Carry only non-valuable business items.
- When showing property or meeting someone, park your car in front of the property rather than in the driveway where you can be blocked in.
- Lastly, upon entering an open house property for the first time, check each room and plan ahead with at least two “escape” routes.
Know Best Practices
Stay Aware
Be Empowered
24 hours a day – 7 days a week / 365 days a year
Additionally, here are NAR’s Top 5 Safety Action Items for REALTORS®:
- Plan Your Safety Strategy
- Tips and Best Practices
- Training Videos
- Personal Protection Resources
- Take the REALTOR® Safety Pledge
NAR runs a REALTOR® Safety Program with the goal 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.
Visit this link to learn more about working smart and staying safe.
