Awareness, prevention and defense tactics are key to staying safe. These three aspects of safety will be the focus of "REALTORS® Training REALTORS®," a safety course offered by the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® to their members this month.
According to Karen Trolan, president-elect of the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS®, and one of three instructors for the course, all agents – men and women – are at risk when they meet clients who are strangers. Too many incidents have occurred in which agents have been targets of crime.
"Safety is so important for agents. Because they interface with the public all the time, both female and male agents should know how to protect themselves," says Trolan.
A new survey from the National Association of REALTORS® found 96 percent of REALTORS® have never been a victim of crime, but 40 percent have found themselves in situations where they have feared for their safety or the safety of their personal information. Some of the most common circumstances that resulted in fearful situations were open houses, showing vacant and model homes, working with properties that were unlocked or unsecured and showing homes in remote areas.
Nearly 3,000 REALTORS® from across the country answered the NAR survey, which asked about their personal experiences and the safety procedures and materials provided by their brokerage. One-third of members surveyed said they carry a self-defense weapon. Female REALTORS® are more likely to carry pepper spray, while male REALTORS®more commonly carry a firearm.
Thirty-eight percent of those surveyed said they have participated in self-defense classes as a proactive safety measure, and 13 percent use a smart phone safety application to track their whereabouts or alert colleagues of an emergency. Also, before showing a property, the typical REALTOR® meets about half of their prospective buyers whom they haven't previously met, in a real estate office or other neutral location.
"Awareness of potentially dangerous situations is just as important as the self-defense," says Trolan.
The National Association of REALTORS®, the California Association of REALTORS®, and local REALTOR® groups like the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR), make safety resources and materials available to their members throughout the year and dedicate the entire month of September to bringing more awareness to REALTOR® safety among members.
"REALTORS® Training REALTORS®" will be held on March 27, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Pacific Coast Academy in Los Gatos. The free safety and self-defense training class will teach agents risk awareness, safety tips, and how to protect yourself and survive in a hostile situation. The course will be taught by REALTORS® Laura Welch (Century 21 M&M), Carla Bunch (Marbella Properties) and Trolan (Alain Pinel Realtors). For more information about the safety course, call SILVAR at (408) 200-0100.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.
For further information, please email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.