This year, more than any previous year, the NAR is taking Realtor safety to heart. Throughout the year, NAR has enhanced and expanded upon its Realtor safety program to develop new materials, create additional resources, and provide members with what they need to feel more empowered and confident in regards to their own personal safety.<\/p>\n
NAR has also changed the way they distribute this information. Instead of distributing through pamphlets and guides; they now offer safety tips via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
These small, image-based tips offer safety information on topics such as cyber security, home security, open house security and more. Not only does this method engage the modern tech-based Realtors, it also encourages sharing, which broadens the audiences and helps to ensure more people are actually receiving the safety messages.<\/p>\n
Commissioning the Realtor safety report<\/h2>\n
In an effort to take things a step further, NAR also commissioned the 2015 Member Safety Report<\/a>. The report asked members how safe they felt on the job, specifically about their own safety experiences, and what preventative safety measures were provided by their brokerage. <\/p>\n
The report found while 96 percent of Realtors had never been the victim of crime, an astounding 40 percent found themselves in situations where they feared for their safety, or the safety of their personal information. Proving these safety measures were long overdue.<\/p>\n
You are your best safety tool<\/h2>\n
Tamara Suminski, a Realtor safety course supervisor, stresses the importance of trusting your instincts and being aware of your surroundings. <\/p>\n
Suminski states, \u201csometimes we don\u2019t listen to our intuition enough; we say \u2018who would harm me?\u2019” <\/p>\n
“However, crimes will be committed as long as criminals have the opportunity,” she adds. “We have to make sure we don\u2019t give them the opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
We couldn\u2019t agree more and are pleased to see NAR taking preventative, proactive measures in regards to Realtor safety.<\/p>\n
Your next steps<\/h2>\n
All safety resources for members and associations, including the information for smartphone apps and safety products, can be found on NAR’s Realtor Safety page<\/a>. <\/p>\n