With crime on the rise, lone workers and those who interact regularly with the general public are more nervous than ever. One of the most vulnerable roles is that of a realtor, as realtors often work alone and are required to meet strangers in empty buildings and new locations.
While most realtors are able to go about their day to day professions with no issue, the unfortunate reality is that a significant number of realtors experience dangerous encounters while on the job. In fact, in 2019, 1 in 3 realtors reporting they experienced a situation that made them fear for their personal safety, and 1 in 20 realtors were a victim of a crime while on the job.
Why are realtors so vulnerable to being victimized? The issue stems from the structure of the role itself. While eager to sell or find a home for a potential client, realtors often place themselves in risky situations. While most people know to be wary of being alone with strangers, a 2019 report found that almost 2 in 3 realtors have met a new or prospective client alone at a secluded property.
In addition to meeting unknown people at a secluded property, over half of realtors in 2020 hosted an open house alone. Criminals are known to case for open houses, and there is no screening process to determine if open house attendees have a criminal record. This is likely why 75% of realtors reported feeling unsafe at an open house in 2020.
You don’t, however, have to accept feeling unsafe at work. Many realtors are taking actions to feel safer while on the job, and Apartment Guardian’s fully mobile panic button is specifically designed for the safety needs of realtors. If you would like to purchase your own panic button, just click the link below.
Or if you would like to discuss getting your entire office set up and would like discuss bulk discounts, you can email me at kate@apartmentguardian.com or schedule a time for a call below.
Source:https://cdn.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/2020-member-safety-report-08-31-2020.pdf