5 safety tips for real estate agents

A female real estate agent who was preparing to show a vacant property in New Carrollton, MD was robbed on Monday, according to news reports. It appears the attacker took her purse and some personal items, but the woman will be O.K.

While rare, attacks on real estate agents do happen from time to time and (sadly) women in particular are vulnerable. In light of this recent event, I thought it’d be good to explore the topic and offer some safety tips for real estate agents.

Stranger danger! Verify customer information

In addition to getting your new client’s full name and phone number, find out what where he works. Ask for an email address. Ask for multiple telephone numbers. Google is your best friend. While some might consider it creepy to Google an individual before a first date, it’s totally acceptable to Google a potential client in the name of personal safety. What’s more, you might learn a thing or two about your new client that you can use to help him find the perfect property.

Use the buddy system. Tell someone in your office where you’re going

If you’re out in the field, let people know. Ideally you shouldn’t host public open houses or show vacant property alone. Bring a friend. But since that isn’t always practical, at minimum it’s a good idea to tell a co-worker and perhaps a personal contact, too, where you’re going to be and when you expect to return.

Have new clients meet you in your office or another public place whenever possible. In those situations where you must meet a new client one-on-one, remember Google is your friend. (See the first tip.)

Carry your cell phone and keep it in your hands

Since you’ve already told your buddy that you will be showing houses or meeting a new client, why not pre-program that contact into your phone in case you need to make a quick call? Bonus points for downloading one of those personal safety apps. Some basic personal safety apps are free while fancier ones cost money. Of course, your phone will be useless in a pocket or purse, so keep it in your hands as much as you can. In the event you have to send a distress call, you can make it quickly and then throw your phone at the perp’s face (just kidding).

Familiarize yourself with your surroundings

Take a drive around the neighborhood and keep an eye out for safety concerns. Do a quick Internet search before you go to look up crime reports and other information about the neighborhood. At the property, survey the exits and make sure you’re able to get out easily in the event you have to make a quick escape.

Likewise, if you’re in a property with your client, make sure you know where he is. Keep your client in sight, ideally in front of you and at a safe distance. Let him enter a room first while you linger by the doorway. You don’t have to be weird or obvious about it, but keep your guard up. One of the best ways to avoid a compromising situation is to not allow yourself to get into a vulnerable position where a would-be attacker can take advantage.

Trust your gut

If something doesn’t feel right, get out of there. Or don’t meet the client one-on-one. It’s that simple. Don’t discount the lessons taught to us in kindergarten about stranger danger and the buddy system. Take extra steps to ensure your personal safety.

While it’s unfortunate to hear about what happened with the female agent at the vacant house in New Carrollton, hopefully her experience will remind others of the inherent dangers of working with the public as a real estate agent. Stay safe out there!