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 REALTOR Safety

Due to their frequent contact with unfamiliar people in private locations, real estate agents face more on-the-job risks than many other business professionals. According to the most recent statistics from the National Safety Council, there were 57 violent crimes committed against real estate practitioners in 2001. Six of them were fatal.

In a recent NAR safety survey of REALTORS®, 67 percent of respondents have experienced safety concerns, incidents, or other harassing situations while working as a REALTOR®. A majority of issues involve open houses or vacant property. Other issues include unfriendly dogs, unsafe property, and threatening or harassing phone calls.

What can you do to protect yourself, to stay out of potentially dangerous situations? The following articles and links provide information that will keep you safe.

 

Safety Products...

Don't Be a Victim:
NAR's Personal Safety for REALTORS Video
This NAR-produced, informative video provides several practical techniques to minimize on-the-job risks, both accidental and criminal. This video is ideal for office meetings, educational programs or safety training seminars. Produced in 2005, runs 6:44 minutes.

Click here to view free, or click here to purchase.

Smart Drivers Talk Safely Video
This video provides tips and information on using your mobile phone safely, especially while in your car. Produced in 2004 by NAR and REALTOR Benefits partner Sprint Nextel, runs 4:39 minutes.

Click here to purchase.

RealGuard Personal and Auto Alarm Units
SKCAR is committed to the safety of it's members and is offering a 25% discount on the Personal Alarm Unit and the Auto Alarm Unit.

Click here for more information.

Personal Safety Guide
Developed by the Washington Real Estate Safety Council after the death of one of their agents, this guide offers safety tips, office procedures and an easy-to-use safety plan.

Click here to download the safety guide.  

 

Office Forms...

The following office forms were developed by members of the Real Estate Safety Council. The forms were designed by agents for agents. Law enforcement officials were also consulted in the development of the forms. The purpose of these forms is as follows:
  1. To deter assaults by positively identifying the people we are working with.
  2. To have emergency information for everyone in the real estate office.
  3. If a crime occurs - to know where the agent was going so the police can help.
  4. Every client wanting to meet with an agent should expect to be asked for identification.

We hope that every real estate office in the nation will adopt these safety procedures for the sake of their agents. Feel free to add your logo to the forms and make as many copies as needed.

Personal Identification Form
Know who you are doing business with! Offices across the nation are now asking for photo identification and information from clients before going to view property. The form is quick and easy to fill out and asks for name, address, employer and automobile information. Not only does this procedure identify the person you are working with, it helps qualify a prospect and aids police if something happens to you. This simple form may be the best preventative safety measure you and your office can take. We have found that customers are very understanding regarding why we need this information and there has been little or no resistance to providing the identification. If a customer does object, that in itself, should raise a red flag.

Click here to download in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat format.

Agent Identification Form
If there was an accident or an agent did not check in when they were scheduled to, you or the police would need this information quickly. We recommend placing the Agent Identification Forms collectively in a separate folder that anyone can access. The information must be updated at least once a year. You may want to schedule an annual review of the information during Real Estate Safety Week.

Click here to download in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat format.

Agent Itinerary Form
This form helps you find an agent when there is a problem and gives you a place to look when an agent is missing. Many agents print out an additional “show list” and attach the form to it. Your front office people will appreciate having this information if they need to contact an agent.

Click here to download in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat format.

 
 

SEATTLE KingCounty REALTORS ®
12410 SE 32nd Street, Suite 100, Bellevue, WA  98005-5171  
Phone: (425) 974-1011 or (800) 540-3277 | Fax: (425) 974-1032
Email: REALTOR@nwrealtor.com