​Real Estate Agent Safety Do’s & Don’ts

Sometimes, our best tool is our natural instinct. We encourage all real estate agents to employ that natural instinct at all times and never let your guard down. You have a fun and often lucrative career path but like any job it doesn’t come without risks. It’s REALTOR® Safety Month, so keep these do’s and don’ts in mind as you show homes and build your amazing career!

DO…

• Let your office staff know where you are at all times; if you’re an independent rep, let a friend, spouse or relative know your exact whereabouts
• Have a first meeting and capture buyer information prior to scheduling private showings
• Hold a commanding and confident presence; give a firm handshake and look buyers straight in the eye
• Arrive at private showings early to unlock all exit doors and maybe a few windows; assess the lay of the land, both in the home and the neighborhood
• Introduce yourself to the neighbors and let them know when you’ll be showing the home
• Keep the buyer in your line of sight at all times; hold the door open and let them walk ahead upon entering the home (the only exception is to exit the home first)
• Learn self-defense and use everyday items like a metal flashlight or keys as weapons
• Leave your purse and other valuable non-essentials locked out of sight in your vehicle

What you don’t want to do is any of the following. Make a pact with yourself to make this list nonnegotiable!

 

DON’T…

• Let buyers think you work alone
• Make yourself look financially attractive in photos or in person (ditch the expensive jewelry and watches, for example)
• Give out your personal contact information
• Park in the driveway as this puts you at risk of getting blocked in
• Accompany potential buyers into a basement with no walkout (or other confined spaces)
• Let your guard down
• Overlook technology as an ally (more information below)

There are many apps out there with agent safety features, such as SentriLock’s SentriSmart™ app. Also, your smartphone has locators built in be sure to have those turned on and keep your phone accessible. If you have a smartwatch, get familiar with its emergency 911 shortcuts.

There are numerous ways to be proactive as a real estate agent but we want to iterate that your instincts are not to be ignored. For more information, contact the National Association of Realtors for useful tips and updates.