Realtors celebrate Realtor Safety Day
In recognition of Realtor Safety Month, the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors along with the National Association of Realtors and 26 other local Realtor associations across the country participated in “Realtor Safety Day”on Sept. 11. Produced by RE Events, the program featured topics on best practices, personal safety, COVID-19 liability, and cyber security with special focus on Realtors.
2021 NAR President Charlie Oppler welcomed Realtors tuning in to the 3-hour virtual event. Oppler indicated NAR has emphasized the importance of Realtor safety and the safety of their clients since 2003, to help recognize and minimize the risks that are associated with the business of real estate. The coronavirus pandemic has brought additional safety concerns for Realtors.
Oppler highlighted the 2020 NAR Member Safety Report which found 31 percent of Realtors have felt unsafe hosting an open house; 23 percent have experienced a situation that made them fear for their personal safety or the safety of their information in their day-to-day business; and 5 percent have been victims of crime while working as a real estate professional.
As safety precautions, 58 percent of
NAR Realtor members use a smartphone safety app to track their whereabouts and alert colleagues in case of an emergency; 49 percent of Realtors choose to carry self-defense weapons; and 38 percent have participated in a selfdefense class.
“Safety can never be emphasized enough,” stressed Oppler. “No commission should be worth your personal safety. Take every precaution that you can at every point in this business.”
Tamara Suminski, a broker and NAR Realtor Safety course instructor, indicated real estate is a relationship business and, as such, Realtors are in a very risky business with an absurd business model in which Realtors enter vacant properties, greet strangers at open houses, drive with unknown prospects and show them properties, and market themselves in social media.
Suminski related the 2014 tragedy of Arkansas Realtor Beverly Carter and other situations where Realtors had unknowingly put themselves in harm’s way. “We need to be aware; we need to turn on and activate our minds and our conscience so that we are acknowledging that this stuff is happening every day in our profession,” said Suminski.
Instead of impulsively racing to show every stranger a house, Suminski advised Realtors to be selective, have a unique value proposition, and set business safety standards. Whether holding an open house or meeting a client at a vacant home, “don’t do it alone.”
“At the end of the day no commission is worth your life,” said Suminski.
Realtor Suzi DunkelSoto and Yvette Lozano, chief program officer with the non-profit Peace Over Violence, demonstrated some safety techniques and emphasized the need for Realtors to create a safety strategy which includes awareness of their surroundings.
“The creepers are out there,” warned DunkelSoto.
People stake out potential victims who are vulnerable. Due of the nature of their business, Realtors try to please people, which can be misconstrued. Lozano told Realtors to trust their gut feeling and be assertive. Do not remain silent, expose bad behavior and call it out. Educate others on how they want to be treated. Show confidence through facial expression and body language.
At the session on cyber crime, Dylan Greene with the IT department of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department, told Realtors, “You are your biggest weakness and your biggest security measure.”
Greene shared tips on keeping passwords safe, VPNS, antivirus and anti-malware apps. He indicated these days all work revolves around technology.
“You need to stay on top of things and be vigilant. Just be mindful of what’s out there because technology always changes,” said Greene.
To view the replay of the Realtor Safety Day sessions, visit Reevents. live.