Agent Safety: 7 Tips for Staying Safe on the Job

When it comes to personal safety, it’s best to be proactive rather than reactive. This is especially true for real estate agents, who work long hours to help clients buy and sell homes. The real estate profession often entails meeting new people and traveling to new places, so it’s best to be prepared before heading into these situations.

“Your safety is non-negotiable,” says Carl Carter, an agent with RE/MAX Elite in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Carter speaks from experience. In 2014 – ten years ago this month – his mother, Beverly Carter, was senselessly killed while showing a home to criminals who posed as prospective homebuyers. They later admitted she was targeted because she worked alone.

In his mother’s legacy, Carter started the Beverly Carter Foundation, which educates agents on safety and equips them with knowledge and resources. These are especially pertinent during REALTOR® Safety Month each September.

“I think it’s great to have a month for our industry to reflect on business practices and shake off any complacency that might have crept in,” Carter says. “We’ve made many advances in the past decade, but agent victimization continues to occur.”

Real estate agents: As you assess your safety protocols this September, consider these seven helpful tips:

It’s critical to confirm that the person you’re potentially working with is a serious homebuyer or seller. Having the new customer provide official documentation ahead of time, such as a driver’s license or pre-approval letter, helps verify their identity. Then, when meeting for the first time, choose a populated location like your RE/MAX office or a local coffee shop.

Before heading to a client meeting, property showing, or open house, make sure family and friends know your soon-to-be whereabouts. It’s also wise if one of these trusted individuals also knows your schedule, such as how long you’ll be at a certain listing, where you’re heading after, and what time you’ll be home.

Technology can help increase personal safety measures. For example, some agents enable the “Find My Friends” feature on their iPhones, enabling whoever they’d like to see their location in real time. Certain apps can perform the same functionality, too. Others purchase Apple Air Tags, or similar tracking devices, and keep them on their keychain, in a pocket, or in their car to make sure people are able to check up on their location.

Carter recommends the Foreworn app, which helps verify the identity of potential customers, and Tether RE, a real estate safety platform promoting safe customer interactions.

When possible, bring a family member, friend, or colleague with you when hosting an open house. This way, you aren’t alone while spending an extended period of time at the property. This applies to all listings, but especially rural properties.

It applies to nighttime showings, too. While it’s best to show homes during the daylight, schedules don’t always allow for that – especially in the late fall and throughout the winter. Inviting a companion along at night adds an extra layer of security.

Before providing a tour or hosting an open house, ensure the sellers have locked away or removed their valuables. Doing so protects you from being responsible for the safekeeping of things like jewelry, watches, and tech devices. It also makes the property less of a target for theft.

It’s best to familiarize yourself with the layout of a property you plan on showing ahead of time. This way, you can be aware of door locations and make sure prospective clients come in only through your designated entrance point.

This also helps you navigate real estate safety hazards unrelated to crime. Getting familiar with the layout makes you aware of factors like loose steps, steep stairs, uneven flooring, and more.

Ever had a feeling that something just isn’t quite right? When in doubt, trust your gut. If a circumstance makes you uncomfortable, avoid it and come up with an alternate plan.

The real estate profession enables agents to run an impactful local business and change the lives of homebuyers and sellers. In order to thrive, make sure you’re taking measures to ensure your safety on the job.

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