Did you know that September is observed as REALTOR® Safety Month? Now is a great time to brush up on some useful safety tips and tools while committing to keeping safety top-of-mind while on the job!
Social Media
Social media usage has an impact on your safety, especially today. Depending on how active you are on social media and the content you want to post, you may want to consider setting up separate personal and business accounts on Facebook, Twitter, etc. This will help protect your personal photos, posts, and other details about you from being accessed by people you don’t know. When posting, stay away from sharing your daily activity, like where you are going, how long you will be there or if you will be alone. This way, it is hard for others to know your whereabouts.
Property Showings
When meeting a client for the first time, your office or another public space are good options. Always let a fellow agent or someone in your office know who, when and where you are meeting. Make sure that your phone is fully charged before arriving to an open house, showing, or client meeting, and if necessary, carry a portable charger or power bank to charge your phone on the go. When showing a home, park your car in front of the property rather than in the driveway. You will avoid having your car blocked in, and if you need to make a quick exit, it will be easier to drive away. Leave the front door unlocked for a quick exit while you and the client are inside. And, as you view each room, let the client enter first. Follow your instincts and keep your guard up to potential predators and always have “an out.” If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable in any situation, leave.
Download these Safety Apps
Being safe while showing homes is a very real and serious part of a realtor’s job, and today’s technology is making it easier. Here are some of the top personal security tools!
PROtect is an app that allows you to add your office manager, team members, friends or even family as emergency contacts. The app then monitors your location during your open house or private showing and automatically sends out an SOS to your contacts when you haven’t checked in at a pre-scheduled time or if you indicate you are in an emergency situation.
Homesnap Pro is an app that works as a safety timer when a realtor goes to a showing with an unfamiliar client. The realtor can set a timer for how long they expect to be at the location and select their emergency contacts. If the timer expires, a text message will be sent to your emergency contacts. Instant distress alerts can also be sent to emergency contacts with just one tap.
Unfortunately, the risks realtors face seem to grow more frequent and more complicated. Ways to stay safe on the job, however, remain simple. Know how to react appropriately to your situation, be aware of your surroundings, and empower yourself with careful precaution and technology. Want more resources and safety tips? Visit NAR or National Association of REALTORS® to learn more!
