Realtor Safety: How the Real Estate Community Can Protect Itself

This month, we're publishing content from a course on Realtor Safety. This is the last in a series of articles that teaches Realtors how to prevent being a victim of crime. Read the previous article here.

When all is said and done, you are part of a community of real estate professionals and it is the responsibility of the community to keep each member safe! The problem of agent safety is impossible to solve if we see each agent as a "lone wolf." However, the problem becomes easy to solve if we see ourselves as part of a community of professionals committed to each other's safety through collaboration and cooperation.

What Should Agents Do to Support Each Other?

• If your association or MLS has not already implemented a crime prevention systemm urge them to do so
• Share information about individuals that made you feel uncomfortable
• Post safety related information about your listings in an MLS field that is not syndicated
• Share safety information about your listings with buyer's agents when called, texted, or emailed
• KEEP EACH OTHER ACCOUNTABLE FOR SAFETY
• If your association or MLS has implemented Real Safe Agent:
  • Utilize the Prospect Link feature
  • Rate prospects with whom you felt uncomfortable, and respond to clarification requests
  • Issue "drop-in" alerts when you first become uncomfortable with a prospect
  • Respond to other agent's "drop-in" alerts
  • If you are going on a high risk appointment and don't already have someone to accompany you, utilize the Accompany Feature
  • Respond to other agents' Accompany Requests even if they are from a different brokerage.