Safety Month for Realtors prioritizes self-protection
September 3, 2024
Although September is observed as Safety Month in the real estate industry, brokers and their affiliates need to be cautious year-round to avoid risky situations.
In 2022, a safety survey by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) indicated 2% of its residential members are victims of a crime while on the job. While that number may seem small, it means 30,000 Realtors were victims of attacks, assaults, robbery or other crimes while working. Additionally, 23% reported feeling concerned for their safety. In 2023, the editor for The Close cited data showing 75,000 Realtors reported being a crime victim.
“Gender, age, physical appearance – it doesn’t matter,” proclaims NAR. “The nature of your job puts you at additional risk and safety should be a priority for all agents.”
NAR first observed Safety Month in 2003. The annual event, created to educate Realtors and reduce incidents within the industry, is designed to promote safety awareness and to provide resources to help brokers from being victimized.
Among the resources NAR offers are tips, training videos, toolkits and more via these links:
- Planning Your Safety Strategy
- Tips and Best Practices
- Training Videos
- Webinars
- Articles
- Personal Protection Resources
- REALTOR® Safety Network
- Safety Pledge
- Mental Wellness Toolkit
NAR also has safety resources for associations and brokerages, including a safety toolkit, safety MLS fields, a reimbursement grant program, and a real estate safety course. Its research shows only 51% of real estate brokerages and offices have standard procedures for agent safety. NAR believes “Requiring safety training won’t eliminate every threat, but it will go a long way toward improving threat awareness and understanding what can be done to reduce those threats.”
Among NAR’s resources is a downloadable PDF of “56 Weekly Tips” covering a variety of topics such as client meetings, cyber security, safety during open houses and more. There’s also a link to safety-related apps (for informational purposes) from various vendors.
NAR’s Safety Protocols to Implement Now
Require photo ID of potential clients.
Avoid meeting with clients alone (and if so, consider using a safety app).
Sign up for a safety course (80% have not done so!).
Advocate for required safety procedures for the industry.
Northwest Multiple Listing Service also recognizes September as Safety Month. It features a “Member Safety & Alerts” section on its website for alerting colleagues of dangerous individuals and situations around the state.
“The safety of our members and all real estate professionals is of the utmost importance,” NWMLS states in publishing advice on how to stay safe. Its site includes a members’ link that lists the most commonly reported issues plus tips for minimizing risk.
Rescu, an emergency response company, compiled a list of 38 personal safety tips (encompassing NAR’s tips plus others) for real estate industry professionals, noting “between meeting unfamiliar clients, showing homes, and working in remote locations, Realtors are often at risk while on the job.”
Yet another source of year-round safety tips is The Close, “a one-of-a-kind real estate website” produced by experienced industry professionals. Its 15 tips include “Red Flags” for mitigating risks while on the job.