REALTOR® Safety Information
Important Tips on How to Keep Yourself Safe
Everyone wants to believe that the people they meet every day are good. Unfortunately, the reality is that not everyone is trustworthy.
The numbers are alarming: 40% of females and 21% of males REALTORS® have been in a situation that made them concerned for their safety or the safety of their personal information, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) 2019 Member Safety Report.
Knowledge of common-sense safety practices coupled with an awareness of your surroundings can be empowering. September is REALTOR® Safety Month, and it’s a great time for brokers to review their health and safety practices.
17 Important Tips on How to Keep Yourself - and Your Clients - Safe During Showings:
-
Checking In
- When you have a new client, ask them to stop by your office and complete a Prospect Identification Form (Find a copy online at www.REALTOR.org/Safety). Also, photocopy their driver’s license and retain this information at your office. Be sure to properly discard this personal information when you no longer need it.
-
Open House: It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over
- Don’t assume that everyone has left the premises at the end of an open house. Check all of the rooms and the backyard before locking the doors. Be prepared to defend yourself, if necessary.
-
Bring Up the Rear
- When showing a home, always have your prospect walk in front of you. Don’t lead them, but rather, direct them from a position slightly behind them. You can gesture for them to go ahead of you and say, for example, “The master suite is in the back of the house.”
-
Scam Alert!
- Be alert to visitors’ comings and goings at an open house, especially near the end of showing hours. Police have reported groups of criminals that target open houses, showing up near the end of the afternoon. While several “clients” distract the agent, others go through the house and steal anything they can quickly take.
-
Stranger Danger
- Tell your clients not to show their homes by themselves. Alert them that not all agents, buyers, and sellers are who they say they are. Predators come in all shapes and sizes. We tell our children not to talk to strangers. Tell your sellers not to talk to other agents or buyers, and to refer all inquiries to you.
-
When in Doubt, Shred!
- Shred unwanted credit card applications and “convenience checks” that come in the mail, as well as credit card receipts with your account number, outdated financial papers, and papers containing your clients’ personal information.
-
Shield Your Computer From Email Viruses
- Never open an attachment you are not expecting. For example, if you receive a strange or impersonal-sounding message from a familiar address, check with that person to make sure they sent it.
-
Schedule Showings During Daylight
- When scheduling showings, try to book clients during daylight hours. If you must show a home after dark, be sure to arrive early to turn all lights on inside the property. Additionally, let your supervisor and a trusted family member or friend know of your whereabouts.
-
Limit Sharing of Personal Information
- Oversharing personal information, such as your home address or middle name, can sometimes make you a target. Use your business address only, and don’t reveal other personal details to clients.
-
Use Care When Meeting Clients
- When meeting a client for the first time, do so at the office or in a public place. Always let a fellow agent or someone in your office know who, when, and where you are meeting.
-
Ensure Cell Service is Available
- Sometimes, thick walls and remote locations can mean weak cell phone signal. Before heading to site, make sure you’ll have service, as being disconnected can be a safety hazard.
-
Arrive at Appointments Early
- When it comes to safety, getting to the property first is key. REALTORS® should plan to arrive at the site at least 15 minutes ahead of the showing time to turn lights on, survey the property, and map out an escape route should a dangerous situation arise.
-
Practice Open House Safety
- Firstly, do not host open houses alone. In addition, after closing an open house for the day, don’t assume everyone has left the premises. Before locking the doors, check every room and the backyard. If you believe someone is still on the property, contact law enforcement as soon as possible.
-
Walk Behind Clients
- When showing a home, always walk behind clients instead of leading them into the home. You can direct them to go ahead of you by gesturing toward a certain room, saying something like, “The living room is straight ahead,” and then following behind.
-
Keep Seller Information Safe
- Sellers can be targets as well, so tell them to lock up valuables, such as jewelry or electronics, ahead of their showing. They should also store any documents that have personal information on them, such as mail or bills left on countertops.
-
Take Care With Keys
- When handling keys, use a lockbox system designed to improve REALTOR® safety. This will ensure homeowners’ keys don’t fall into the wrong hands.
-
Follow Your Instincts
- Sometimes, your gut is telling you something for a reason — that a situation isn’t safe. If something is off and you’re feeling uncomfortable, use the Buddy System.
- Have code words prepared to notify each other. Also, it’s okay to leave or change plans, such as finding a new meeting space. Your safety is always more important than getting a sale.
All tips are taken from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS’® REALTOR® Safety Resource Kit. Visit NAR’s safety website for more information on the critical topic of REALTOR® safety.
