So why isn\u2019t there more concern among agents about their own safety?<\/p>\n
Tracey Hawkins, a former real estate agent who\u2019s taught agent safety for 24 years through her company, Safety and Security Source<\/a>, says the lack of conversation and preparation is a result of people not prioritizing safety until tragedy strikes.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople think it\u2019s not going to happen to them, or it\u2019s not going to happen in the area they live in,\u201d Hawkins says, but the truth is that it can happen to anyone at any time. \u201cIt\u2019s someone else until it\u2019s not someone else.\u201d<\/p>\n Hawkins urges agents to think more about safety and be realistic about what your job entails: being a real estate agent often requires you to meet complete strangers in an empty house. When you think about it in those terms, it makes sense that one of the jobs with the highest risks of death by violence<\/a> is property and real estate management, according to statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor. Real estate agent safety can no longer be an afterthought.<\/p>\n How can agents like you stay safe on the job? Make personal safety a priority and put these seven safety tips for Realtors into action.<\/p>\n If something feels out of place or wrong, it probably is. Your instincts are there to help keep you safe, and you have to trust them when something triggers an uneasy feeling. Kim Erwin<\/a>, a top agent in Corpus Christi, Texas, with more than 35 years of experience, stresses that the commission is never worth the risk when things feel off.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the hardest thing to drill home to new agents,\u201d says Erwin. \u201cBecause they’ve got a lot of money tied up in getting a license or trying to make money, and they [take] shortcuts.\u201d<\/p>\n Hawkins agrees, and says many agents are reluctant to take steps that prioritize their own safety over the wishes of the client, like meeting first at the office instead of going straight to see a home. Her advice? Don\u2019t worry about inconveniencing the client.<\/p>\n \u201cYour life is worth more than being polite to someone,\u201d she says. \u201cEvery animal in nature is born with a survival mechanism, and human beings are the only ones who ignore it because they want to be nice and they want that commission check.\u201d<\/p>\n Be aware of your surroundings when working with others. Ask yourself: Where are all the possible exits? Are there cameras around? Who are the neighbors?<\/i> These details are crucial to maintain control over a potentially dangerous situation.<\/p>\n Hawkins also suggests you let potential clients lead when walking through a home. Step into the room after they do. That way, you\u2019ll have an accessible escape route at all times.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t let daylight or the neighborhood\u2019s reputation be an excuse to let your guard down. Hawkins says agents should be intentionally aware of their surroundings at all times. \u201cIf you look at the agents who have been assaulted, murdered or attacked in any way, typically it happens in the daylight,\u201d she says. \u201cAnd as long as criminals have cars, there\u2019s no such thing as a good part of town. The upper-income parts of town are where the good stuff is, so instead of being more comfortable you should be more alert.\u201d<\/p>\n This advice isn\u2019t just for women, who tend to be the majority in Hawkins\u2019 safety training classes. She says that male agents are in danger just as much as female agents. Every real estate agent should be aware of where you are and what\u2019s going on around you regardless of your gender.<\/p>\n You have several options when it comes to self-defense weapons. Hawkins says pepper spray is the most-preferred safety product among agents attending her classes. It\u2019s also the most-used among Realtors in general, according to the NAR. Eighteen percent of Realtors say they carry pepper spray.<\/p>\n Agents need to know that there\u2019s a big difference between pepper spray and mace, two of the most popular kinds of defensive spray. Pepper spray, an inflammatory agent made from oleoresin capsicum, restricts breathing and causes temporary blindness for up to 15 minutes. Mace is a tear gas — an irritant made with alphachloroacetaphenone that causes pain in the eyes. Here\u2019s the difference: Pepper spray is just as effective on people if they\u2019re under the influence or on drugs; tear gas, on the other hand, doesn\u2019t typically hinder those on drugs or under the influence. (You should also know that Mace<\/a>\u00ae, as it\u2019s referred to today, is a brand of self-defense products that includes pepper spray<\/i>, not mace<\/i> products. Mace\u00ae pepper spray will<\/i> hinder those under the influence.)<\/p>\n Pepper spray is legal in all 50 states<\/a>, but sales are restricted in Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York and Wisconsin. Carrying tear gas is also illegal in Wisconsin.<\/p>\n As you can see above, firearms are also a popular form of self defense. Hawkins says she believes that more agents are carrying firearms than ever, and the NAR report shows that 14% of agents carry a gun on the job.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re thinking about joining that group, the first step is to check your state gun laws<\/a> to learn what\u2019s legal. They vary from state to state, and many state laws differ from federal laws. When in doubt, check with local law enforcement officials about what personal safety weapons are legal in your area. And ask your brokerage if it has any rules or guidelines in place.<\/p>\n Erwin says agents should keep colleagues and family informed about what you\u2019re doing, who you\u2019re with, and where you are — and not just when you feel nervous about a specific meeting or client.<\/p>\n \u201cLet people know where you\u2019re at,\u201d she says. \u201cLet the receptionist know. Let your assistant — let somebody<\/i> know where you’re at at all times.\u201d<\/p>\n Erwin shares her location with her husband before meeting with clients so he knows exactly where she is. Many phones have built-in technology to let you share your current location, and there are also apps you can download and utilize. Which leads us into…<\/p>\n In addition to person-to-person communication, there are a number of tools and apps that can help you prioritize personal safety on the job.<\/p>\n When it comes to safety apps, Hawkins has a few crucial criteria: longevity, location, and life. Here\u2019s why:<\/p>\n In addition to smartphone apps, Hawkins recommends a device called POM<\/a>, which stands for Peace of Mind. POM goes on your keyring and has a button with two modes.<\/p>\n POM currently costs about $60, and there\u2019s an additional subscription fee for the on-call services.<\/p>\n Hawkins says she regularly hears agents recommend an app called Life360<\/a>. It\u2019s available for download on Google Play<\/a> and Apple\u2019s App Store<\/a>. With Life360, you can create an invite-only circle and share current and recent locations, get alerts when someone leaves or arrives at a saved location, and send one-tap location alerts to the group if you feel unsafe. All of these features are free of charge. For an additional monthly charge, you can also access crime reports, roadside assistance and crash detection.<\/p>\n The NAR also has a list<\/a> of agent safety apps\/tools on its website, though the small print says that the NAR hasn\u2019t vetted the products listed.<\/p>\n Professional safety training is a great way to ensure continual safe practices. Look for courses taught by reputable professionals. Hawkins stresses the value of safety expertise when it comes to training.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you have lawyers come in to talk about legal contracts, marketing experts talking about marketing,\u201d Hawkins says, \u201cwhy do you think it\u2019s okay to let anyone who isn\u2019t qualified to talk about safety?\u201d<\/p>\n Even when self-defense and gun safety classes are offered, Erwin says many agents don\u2019t take advantage of them. \u201cIt\u2019s only when there\u2019s some incident that makes the news that people think about it,\u201d Erwin says. \u201cSo everybody\u2019s been alerted and that\u2019s how the safety class got scheduled.\u201d<\/p>\n Don\u2019t wait until there\u2019s a perceivable risk to learn how to protect yourself. Search online for self-defense training classes in your area. Many police stations and fire departments offer free self-defense classes, such as this one<\/a> in Portland, Oregon. (If there\u2019s nothing like that in your area, ask local law enforcement if they\u2019re willing to start one, or if they\u2019ll help you and\/or your colleagues start one.)<\/p>\n You might know agents who don\u2019t like to admit that there\u2019s a problem so they keep quiet about any safety concerns. You might be one yourself! But the lack of candid conversation around agent safety helps no one. The dangers of being a real estate agent are real, and ignoring them won\u2019t make the risks go away.<\/p>\n Develop a strategic plan for your personal safety, but don\u2019t stop there. There\u2019s strength in numbers, and creating a comprehensive office plan will turn the idea of safety into a reality. Hawkins says every real estate office should have step-by-step practices for their agents to rehearse on a regular basis.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/life-buoy-ring-safety-666x381.jpg\")
<\/a>1.) Always listen to your gut and trust your instincts.<\/h2>\n
2.) Stay alert and always let the client walk first into each room.<\/h2>\n
3.) Carry a self-defense weapon. Know your options and know the rules.<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/NAR-self-defense-weapons-666x843.png\")
<\/a>4.) Tell co-workers and family where you are at all times.<\/h2>\n
5.) Use technology & tools to prioritize safety.<\/h2>\n
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6.) Educate yourself through training and self-defense classes.<\/h2>\n
![\"Two](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/self-defense-personal-safety-666x381.jpg\")
<\/a>7.) Create a safety plan and get your office involved.<\/h2>\n