In the Line of Duty: Real Estate Agent Safety in a High-Stakes Industry

While the real estate industry is full of opportunities, it is also an industry in a safety crisis. 

Too many unsuspecting professionals have fallen victim to crimes. While I’m not interested in creating a world where my fellow real estate agents live in fear, I am invested in helping us all to become aware and proactive rather than reactive.

Familiarize Yourself with the Statistics to Avoid Becoming One

Let’s face it. You don’t know what you don’t know.

And with everything going on in the world, it’s understandable to want to look on the bright side instead of purposefully focusing on the dark side of real estate. 

But the more we can learn about what is happening in our industry, the easier it is to keep ourselves safe from tragedy while we’re doing what we love.

• Have you ever felt uncomfortable while showing a property? You aren’t alone. According to a survey conducted by the National Association of Real Estate Editors (NAREE), 36%  of participants disclosed they had been in an uncomfortable situation while showing a property.

• Real estate professionals had a higher rate of workplace violence-related injuries compared to the national average for all industries, as reported in 2020 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

• The National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that 59% of female agents have reported feeling unsafe during an open house or showing, compared to 35% of male agents.

• The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reported that real estate professionals face risks of identity theft, assault, robbery, and even murder due to the nature of their work.

• And yet, the NAR safety report stated that 30% of agents do not have a safety protocol or plan in place when meeting with clients or showing properties.

There are more statistics I could list, but I think you understand my point. We need proactivity in our industry to continue our important work safely.

My Career Mission

I have had intensive safety training, studying dangerous personalities and predators under some of the world’s most influential mentors and trainers. I have been trained by the FBI, ATF, CIA, Department of Defense certified military interrogators, and Naval Human Intelligence Officers. 

I am a Master Certified Body Language expert. I have taught the body language of predators to real estate agents across the globe. I also studied with a US Marshall about how to analyze deceptive statements and conversations, a skill that is particularly useful for someone in my line of work.  

I have undergone all of this training for one reason alone: REALTOR® safety is my priority. 

As real estate agents, we have a lot of safety tips and tools at our disposal. These are all great—anything that gets you thinking about your personal safety is a big win! 

But the reality is often we read them, or read past them, and move on. Unfortunately, most of the advice is reactive, focusing on what to do while a crime is possibly already occurring.

My aim is to open your eyes to the dangerous personalities around us and focus on how you can proactively avoid becoming a victim in the first place! 

Learn more about the importance of adopting safety measures in my book, Not Today Predator, available now. And follow me on social media for the latest updates and practices.