The life and career of a REALTOR® can be very rewarding, but it comes with its own set of challenges and risks. Being an agent involves meeting with strangers and often showing off properties alone. According to the National Association of REALTORS®’s 2022 Member Safety Residential Report, 23% of REALTORS® experienced a situation where they feared for their safety. Of those surveyed, 27% reported feeling unsafe during showings, while 33% felt unsafe after receiving a threatening or inappropriate email, text message, phone call or voicemail.
Since 2003, NAR has dedicated September as REALTOR® Safety Month. Its goal is to reduce the number of safety incidents that occur in the industry. Here’s a list of smartphone applications designed with a REALTOR®’s safety in mind.
FOREWARN
Cost: $20/month
This safety and intelligence app allows agents to perform proper due diligence on prospective clients. In seconds, an agent can verify a prospect’s identity, criminal record, bankruptcies, liens, judgments, address history and property records.
Real Safe Agent
Cost: $4.99/month
Self-proclaimed as “social networking that can save lives,” Real Safe Agent is the only agent safety tool based on behavioral science to prevent crimes. Through this application, an agent can build their own social network of safety groups. These groups are then alerted whenever an agent feels threatened or in danger. Other features allow users to spot red flags, have an agent accompany them on a showing and ensure one’s safety before, during and after an open house.
SafeShowings
Cost: $4.99/month or $49.99/year
This application is available to over one million REALTORS® through their associations and allows an agent to capture a facial image of anyone about to enter a property during an open house. It also sets a timer during showings—if an agent is unable to end the timer, an alert can be automatically sent to a list of emergency contacts.
Homesnap Pro
Cost: Free for most agents via their local MLS or $599/year
Before a showing, an agent can set a safety timer with Homesnap Pro. The application uses geolocation technology to populate the property address when the agent is within 2,000 feet. Homesnap Pro also has a distress alert feature that will automatically text emergency contacts a time-stamped location. Users can access this feature whenever they feel uncomfortable or threatened.
SentriKey Real Estate App
Cost: Prices vary based on subscription
This is the application for SentriLock, the official lockbox solution for NAR and a popular service utilized by several agents and associations. Like the other applications listed, the Agent Safety feature within SentriKey automatically and discreetly alerts an agent’s emergency contact when they feel unsafe or cannot confirm their location.
Photo: iStock.com/andresr
