Real estate is a people business. Realtors meet new clients, visit unfamiliar properties, host open houses and spend plenty of time working alone.
That flexibility is one of the perks of the job, but it also means personal safety needs to be part of the routine.
The good news? Staying safe doesn’t have to be complicated. A few simple habits can make a big difference.
Trust Your Gut
This might be the simplest rule on the list: if something feels off, listen to that feeling.
You don’t need to have a perfectly logical explanation for leaving a showing, rescheduling an appointment or asking someone else to join you.
Your safety is more important than making a potential client happy or avoiding an awkward conversation.
If a situation makes you uncomfortable, give yourself permission to leave.
Meet New Clients in Public First
When you’re meeting someone for the first time, consider starting somewhere public, like your office or a coffee shop, rather than immediately meeting at a vacant property.
It’s also a good idea to collect basic client information before the appointment, including a phone number and email address.
You don’t need to turn every new lead into a background investigation. The goal is simply to know who you’re meeting and make sure someone else knows, too.
Let Someone Know Where You Are
Get in the habit of sharing your schedule with a coworker, friend or family member.
For showings, send them:
- The property address
- The client’s name
- The time of the appointment
- When you expect to be finished
If you’re showing multiple properties, consider sharing your entire itinerary rather than checking in one property at a time.
There are also safety apps and smartphone features that allow trusted contacts to see your location or receive an alert if something goes wrong.
Don’t Assume a Vacant Property Is Empty
A vacant home isn’t necessarily an empty home.
Before entering, check the property and be aware of your surroundings. Look for signs that someone may be inside, and don’t assume that a scheduled showing means nobody else will be there.
When possible, enter a property before your client arrives and turn on the lights as you go.
And if you discover someone inside who isn’t supposed to be there, don’t investigate.
Leave the property and contact the appropriate authorities or property representative.
Keep Your Phone Charged
This one sounds obvious until you’re standing in a house with no cell service and 4% battery.
Before heading out for showings, make sure your phone is charged. Keeping a portable charger in your car or work bag is an easy backup.
Your phone should be accessible, not buried underneath everything else in your purse or bag.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
When you’re walking through a property, don’t become so focused on the house that you stop paying attention to what’s happening around you.
Take note of:
- Where the exits are
- Who else is on the property
- Your surroundings outside the home
- Any areas that could create a safety concern
- Whether doors or gates are locked
And be especially cautious in garages, basements, attics and other areas with limited visibility.
Don’t Let Clients Follow You Into Your Car
Your vehicle is one of your easiest ways to leave an uncomfortable situation.
Whenever possible, keep your car parked where you can leave easily. Avoid allowing a client you’ve just met to ride with you, and don’t feel obligated to give someone a ride simply because you’re showing them a property.
If you’re meeting at a listing, let the client drive themselves or arrange their own transportation.
Take Extra Precautions at Open Houses
Open houses can bring a steady stream of strangers through a property, sometimes without much information about who will show up.
Consider having another agent or colleague with you when possible.
Keep personal belongings, keys and sensitive documents out of sight, and make sure valuables belonging to the seller have been secured before the event.
At the end of the open house, do a quick walk-through before locking up. You want to know that everyone has left and that you’re not leaving the property alone with someone you don’t know.
Don’t Share Too Much Personal Information
Being friendly is part of being a great realtor, but clients don’t need to know everything about your personal life.
Think twice before sharing:
- Your home address
- Your daily routine
- Where you live alone
- Your regular schedule
- Personal information about your family
Social media is another place to be mindful. Avoid publicly posting information that makes it easy for someone to determine where you’ll be or when you’ll be there alone.
Have an Exit Plan
Before you walk into a property, know how you’re getting out.
Park where you aren’t boxed in. Keep your keys accessible. Know where the exits are. If something doesn’t feel right, you shouldn’t have to figure out how to leave in the moment.
And remember, you don’t need to explain yourself.
A simple, “I’m going to head out and we can reschedule,” is enough.
Create a Safety Code Word
This is an easy one that can be surprisingly useful.
Create a code word or phrase with your office, coworkers or someone you trust. If you text or call and use that phrase, they know you need help or want them to call you.
For example, you could send:
“Can you send me that file?”
Your coworker knows that’s their cue to call you and check in.
The important part is making sure everyone knows what the phrase means before you actually need it.
Take Safety Seriously, Not Personally
One of the hardest parts of realtor safety is getting comfortable with setting boundaries.
You aren’t being rude by asking a client to meet at your office first.
You’re not being dramatic by bringing another agent to a showing.
And you’re not being unprofessional by leaving a situation that makes you uncomfortable.
You’re running a business, and part of running a business is protecting yourself.
Real estate requires trust, but trust doesn’t mean ignoring your instincts.
A few extra precautions can help you focus on what you actually went to the property to do: help your clients find their next home, sell their current one and navigate the transaction with confidence.
Because the best showing is one where everyone gets home safely.