As I’ve mentioned the past few weeks, September is Realtor Safety Month. At this point each year, Realtors look at their safety protocols to help them remain vigilant against all types of threats.
Why is it important to focus specifically on Realtor safety? Because the very nature of our business puts us at increased risk.
For example, Realtors often work independently and frequently meet with clients they’ve never met. Realtors show homes, host open houses and often work during evenings and weekends when potential buyers are available. A dodgy cell signal or an isolated property can make a Realtors even more vulnerable.
How prevalent are safety concerns for Realtors? To get a complete picture, the National Association of Realtors conducts an annual safety survey. Here are the highlights of the NAR’s 2023 Member Safety – Residential report:
The typical respondent meets prospective clients they’ve never met before either at their office or in a neutral location 65% of the time. This step helps the Realtor understand what the client is looking for and not meet them for the first time at a potentially empty property.
71% of Realtors said they have personal safety protocols they follow with every client. This routine is more likely among females (73%) than among males (59%). This area is clearly one for improvement, since attacks can happen to both men and women.
42% of Realtors said they’ve participated in a self-defense class. At Greater Chattanooga Realtors, we offer complimentary Realtor safety classes throughout the year to help prepare our members for potential threats.
47% of men and 58% of women carry a self-defense weapon or tool. Among those Realtors who participated in a safety course, 66% said they feel more prepared for unknown situations after taking the course.
Knowing preparedness and safety don’t magically happen is essential. Realtors need to be proactive in ensuring their safety and the safety of their clients.
Realtor safety – and the safety of our clients and their information – remains front of mind the entire year. That’s Who We R.
Founded in 1912, Greater Chattanooga Realtors is the voice for real estate in Greater Chattanooga. A regional organization with more than 2,700 members, Greater Chattanooga Realtors serves Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee and Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. The association is one of approximately 1,100 local associations and boards of Realtors nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. Greater Chattanooga Realtors owns and operates a multiple listing service, which is one of approximately 600 MLSs in the country and services more than 3,000 users. Local association membership consists of Realtors servicing the Greater Chattanooga area and specializing in a variety of disciplines – appraisal, commercial, industrial, land, multifamily, property management and residential. Working alongside Realtors are our affiliate members, who represent related industries in sympathy with the objectives of the association. Our affiliate members include mortgage lenders, home inspectors, title and closing services, pest inspection and control and insurance.