Real Estate Articles
REALTORS® Practice Safety, Self-Defense Year-Round
REALTORS® observe REALTOR® Safety Month every September, but since the murder of an Arkansas REALTOR® last fall, safety has become a top issue for REALTORS®. Noting that the biggest risk is complacency, 2015 National Association of REALTORS® President Chris Polychron has called on REALTORS® to make safety a top issue and observe a "year on safety."
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is doing just that. At "REALTORS® Training REALTORS®," a free safety and self-defense training class offered by SILVAR and held at the Pacific Coast Academy in Los Gatos, REALTORS® trained in martial arts taught 28 real estate professionals risk awareness, safety tips, and how to protect themselves in a hostile situation.
The instructors were Laura Welch (Century 21 M&M), a jujitsu 7th degree black belt and judo 3rd degree black belt and director of Jujitsu America; Carla Bunch, (Marbella Properties), a jujitsu 5th degree black belt; and Karen Trolan (Alain Pinel Realtors) taekwondo 2nd degree black belt, kenpo jujitsu first degree black belt, jujitsu first degree brown belt, and Shinkendo.
Trolan, who is president-elect of SILVAR, indicated a new NAR survey of nearly 3,000 REALTORS® from across the country 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.
"Awareness, prevention and defense tactics are key to staying safe," said Trolan. "In the last decade, hundreds of real estate professionals throughout the country have been murdered, violently assaulted, raped, beaten and robbed. Agents can be in potentially dangerous situations, because they interface with the public all the time. All REALTORS®, both men and women, should learn at least basic safety and self-defense techniques."
During the class, the real estate professionals learned how to get out of dangerous situations, different ways they can hit an assailant, what can be used to defend themselves against an attack from an assailant, and ways to get out of common holds or attacks. These agents were also provided numerous safety tips and ways to be aware.
"It was great to have women, for their first time, learning how to be aware and protect themselves. The group had fun and took away good practice in these basics," said Trolan.
Trolan noted studies show 80 percent of women who fought back in an attack situation have gotten away. "We all need to be prepared, follow general safety tips, like being aware of your surroundings, knowing some self-defense moves, and taking personal security precautions," said Trolan.
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.