On-the-Job Safety Tips for Real Estate Agents from Real Estate Agents

The real estate profession provides an impactful way for agents to make a difference in the communities in which they live and work. Since the job often has agents heading to new locations and meeting new people, it’s best to take precautions to ensure personal safety along the way.

With September being Real Estate Agent Safety Month, it’s a great time to highlight ways in which real estate professionals can stay vigilant all year round.

Stay safe on the job with the help of these tips shared by RE/MAX agents.

Verify new clients

It’s helpful to get to know who you’re working with – and confirm they are a serious homebuyer or seller.

Donna Deaton, Managing Vice President of RE/MAX Victory + Affiliates in Liberty Township, Ohio, believes that confirming someone’s identity and intentions is essential to feel comfortable collaborating.

“Meet the buyer or seller at the office or in a public facility like a coffee shop,” Deaton says. “Get to know them first. Ask for a pre-approval letter and copy of their driver’s license [or other form of identification].”

Carl Carter, an agent with RE/MAX Elite in Little Rock, Arkansas, agrees.

“Asking for a prospective client’s identification can be an awkward exchange. Prior to requesting their identification, consider sharing an electronic copy of your business card. This can be an effective strategy for putting the new client at ease, as you’ve already shared your information,” Carter says. “Remember to send only info about yourself that you’re comfortable with sharing with unknown prospects.”

Carter is passionate about helping fellow industry professionals stay safe. He is the founder and president of the Beverly Carter Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to real estate agent safety awareness, created in honor of his mother, Beverly Carter, who was tragically killed while showing a home in 2014.

Share your location with family and friends

Letting trusted individuals know your location – and using phone location services – ensures someone knows your whereabouts while showing homes.

“Let your smartphone do the work!” Carter says. “For many agents, establishing a new system of keeping family and trusted colleagues informed of your schedule and location can be a daunting task. Consider enabling calendar and location sharing so you don’t have to remember to communicate your daily activities.”

Deaton uses technology tools for safety, too.

“Let others know where you are. We now have a safety link in the ShowingTime app that says ‘Start Showing Beacon.’ This will notify whomever we have listed in the beacon of the address, time of showing, how long we are there and when we leave. It is a great tool for agents,” she says.

Work in tandem (when you can)

In addition to tech, agents recommend pairing up or creating a buddy system with a fellow real estate professional, accompanying one another to showings or open houses – especially during the evening or in remote areas.

“Don’t work alone when you’re meeting new people. Bring your partner, friend or colleague,” shares Elli Jennings, an agent with RE/MAX Real Estate Center and member of The Jennings Real Estate Team, in Ames, Iowa.

“And, if possible, don’t host an open house alone,” she says.

Trust your gut

“Your safety is non-negotiable,” Carter says.

“Many agents who have been victimized have expressed that they felt something was off about the situation prior to the crime,” he continues. “Feel empowered to say no and leave any situation that makes you feel uncomfortable.”

Trusting your instincts, Deaton says, is imperative.

“I remind agents to go with their gut. If something doesn’t feel right, then it probably is not,” she says. “Never lead into the showing. Let the buyer lead, especially when going up or down stairs.”

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