Realtors observe safety week

By Lydia Drexler

Guest Columnist

Realtors protect consumers in the real estate transaction, but these professionals also must protect themselves on the job.

The nature of their work requires Realtors to interact frequently with people they don’t know, sometimes in isolated areas. To help Realtors protect themselves and their clients, the National Association of Realtors is reaching out to its 1.2 million members as part of the sixth annual Realtor Safety Week, Sept. 14-20.

“Realtors are the public's most trusted source for real estate information. Every day they put themselves at risk by welcoming complete strangers into a home or getting into a car alone with someone they just met,” said NAR President Dick Gaylord. “These everyday occurrences have the potential to turn into a personal nightmare if our members don’t understand and follow the basic tenets of personal, professional and client safety.”

In a recent NAR safety survey of Realtors, 67 percent of respondents have experienced safety concerns, incidents, or other harassing situations while working as a Realtor. A majority of issues involve open houses or vacant property. Other issues include unfriendly dogs, unsafe property and threatening or harassing phone calls.

Personal safety experts say knowing simple strategies can save lives. Some of the basic tips they offer Realtors include:

• Follow clients while touring potential homes instead of leading.
• Always take your own car for showings.
• Meet potential clients for the first time in your office.
• Carry pepper spray.
• Check in with your office often.

NAR’s commitment to its members’ personal safety is ongoing, however, and the association aims to keep the issue of Realtor safety top-of-mind for members throughout the year. This year, NAR is offering a scenario-based 3-D online safety course through Realtor University at www.Realtor.org/RealtorUniversity, in addition to safety CDs and DVDs that are available for office meetings, educational programs and safety training seminars.

- Lydia Drexler is director of the Heart of Kentucky Association of Realtors.