Because of rising concerns for Realtors' safety, the National Association of Realtors has initiated a number of actions to address personal safety and property loss issues among members. The NAR has conducted a survey of members to ascertain Realtors' feelings about safety, including which situations are more likely to provide higher risk to personal safety or property loss.

As part of the NAR's ongoing initiatives to raise awareness of safety issues among Realtors, the NAR has included a number of safety tips in its survey of members.

To view the PDF file of the report, click here.

Realtors face safety concerns, according to the survey in three key areas: following office procedures regarding safety, meeting prospects, and showing properties.

Safety begins with following office procedures designed to minimize risk:

Office Procedures

• Always let someone know where you are going and leave the name and phone number of the client you are meeting.
• Have someone from your office call you every half hour or check in with your office every half hour. Designate one person in the office as the point of contact for this procedure.
• Have a code word for cases where you feel that you are in danger. The designated person at the office is in charge of calling 911.
• Always carry a charged cell phone and program 911 in the speed dial.
• Establish an alert network among REALTORS in your office and association. Use this network to report incidents or suspicious individuals.
• Keep a log of every agent’s car make, model and license number.
• Post ‘REALTOR Watch’ signs on vacant or rehab homes.
• Do not use home phone number on business cards.
• Wear jewelry conservatively.
• Never meet clients after dark in limited cell phone areas.
• Carry pepper spray or mace.

Prospects

• If a prospect requests to see only vacant property or asks if you are coming alone…these are red flags. Beware.
• Never meet a prospect at a property site unless you’ve met before.
• Beware of individuals that walk up to you on the street and ask to see the property you’re locking up.
• Take down the prospect’s phone number. Call them to verify that the information is valid. Ask a prospect to come into your office before showing them any properties. Make a copy of their I.D. Place this information in their file.

Showing a property

• Know your surroundings.
• Always be aware of your nearest exit.
• Unless you know your client well, do not go into bedrooms or the basement with them.
• Work open houses in pairs. If not possible, have someone check up on you throughout the day.
• Let clients go upstairs and/or into bedrooms by themselves.
• If there is a need to show a property after dark, travel in pairs.

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