Real Estate Agent Safety Tips
Real estate advisors often find themselves in diverse and unpredictable situations that can pose unique safety risks. With open houses, showings, and meeting new clients in sometimes unfamiliar locations, having clear safety protocols in place is essential for protecting both advisors and their clients. This guide provides practical tips to ensure advisors can prioritize their well-being while maintaining professionalism on the job.
As real estate professionals, agents regularly find themselves in diverse situations—meeting new people and visiting a variety of properties. While this dynamic aspect of the job can be one of its most invigorating and profitable, it also exposes real estate agents to certain risks. This is why agents should always have safety protocols in place before showing clients any properties.
According to the National Association of REALTORS® 2024 Member Safety Residential Report, 73 percent of residential members said they have personal safety protocols in place that they follow with every client.
The report also cited real estate agents’ top concerns as conducting open houses and showings, as well as meeting new clients at a secluded property. Sixty percent of residential members said they hadn’t met a new or prospective client alone at a secluded location or property.
Prioritizing safety isn’t just prudent; it's an essential aspect of helping ensure a long and successful career in real estate. Here are Engel & Völkers’ tips for safety:
Meet Customer in Public First and Let Someone Know Your Itinerary
Before meeting a customer for the first time at a property, arrange to meet them in a public location, like your office or a café.
Verify their identity and obtain basic contact information, like a phone number and email address, and cross-check if possible.
Share your schedule with a colleague, friend, or family member, especially when you're meeting a new client or visiting an unfamiliar location.
Use a shared calendar or real estate safety apps to keep others informed of where you are and when.
Trust Your Instincts
If a situation or person feels off, trust your instincts. It’s better to err on the side of caution. Don’t hesitate to cancel a showing or leave a location if you feel uncomfortable.
Avoid Showing Properties Alone
Whenever possible, bring a colleague or another agent with you to showings, especially for vacant or remote properties. If that’s not feasible, ensure someone knows where you are and check in regularly.
Use Technology to Stay Safe
Safety apps: Use personal safety apps, which offer features like location sharing, emergency alerts, and identity verification for clients.
Smartphones: Keep your phone fully charged and have easy access to emergency contacts. Enable GPS tracking and location sharing when visiting properties.
Video calls: Use virtual tours or video call walk-throughs as a preliminary step before showing a property in person to unfamiliar clients.
Keep Your Fully Charged Phone in Hand
Always have your phone in your hand or easily accessible during showings. Avoid leaving it in a bag or somewhere it’s hard to reach in case you need it quickly.
Strategic Parking
When arriving at a property, park on the street or in a location where you won’t be blocked in.
Conduct Showings Safely
Let the customer lead: Allow the client to walk ahead of you when showing a property, especially in enclosed spaces like basements, attics, or small rooms.
Use Open House Safety Precautions
Secure valuables: Advise homeowners to secure or remove valuables, personal items, and sensitive information before an open house.
Buddy system: If hosting an open house, work with another agent, an assistant, or someone else who can help monitor the event.
Visitor sign in: Require visitors to sign in with their full name, contact information, and a photo ID before allowing them to view the property.
Control entry/exit: Keep track of how many people are in the house at any time, and ensure all visitors enter and exit through a single controlled point.
Consider scheduling open houses and showings during daylight hours and avoid late evenings if possible.
Avoid Advertising Yourself Alone
When advertising open houses or showing properties, avoid language that suggests you’ll be there alone. Instead, use phrasing that implies you’ll be accompanied by others.
Stay Aware of Your Surroundings
Be observant: Pay attention to unusual behavior, unfamiliar cars, or anything that feels off when arriving at or leaving a property.
Watch body language: Observe your client’s body language and demeanor. If they seem overly secretive or evasive, consider ending the showing early.
Self-Defense Training
Consider taking self-defense classes that can prepare you to handle dangerous situations if they arise.
Carry personal safety tools like pepper spray (where it’s legal), a whistle, or a personal alarm. Make sure you know how to use them effectively.
Use a Code Word System
Create a code word or phrase with colleagues or family members that you can use to discreetly signal that you need help. For example, calling a colleague and saying, “Can you send me the blue folder?” could be a prearranged signal.
Know Emergency Exits and Trust Verified Customers
Familiarize yourself with the layout of a property before showing it. Know where all the exits are located in case you need to leave quickly.
Be cautious when working with clients who refuse to provide identification or financial information upfront.
Verify clients through background checks if needed, especially when dealing with high-value properties.
In real estate, we have the ability to meet many wonderful people and create meaningful relationships. However, adopting these safety practices helps you reduce risk while maintaining your professionalism and helps ensure you’re prepared for unexpected situations that could arise.