Survey: Majority of REALTORS® Feel Safe

  How safe do you feel on the job? A majority of REALTORS® ‒ 96 percent ‒ have never been the victims of crime, according to a new National Association of REALTORS® survey. Still, 40 percent of those surveyed have feared for their safety or the safety of their personal information and one-third of surveyed members carry a self-defense weapon. The circumstances in which they felt unsafe included open houses, showing vacant and model homes, working with properties that were unlocked or unsecured and showing homes in remote areas. The survey asked members how safe they feel while on the job and nearly 3,000 REALTORS® revealed their personal experiences, and the safety procedures and materials provided by their brokerage. Women are more likely to carry pepper spray, while men more commonly carry a firearm. Other findings included: • 38 percent have participated in self-defense classes as a proactive safety measure • 13 percent use a smart phone safety application to track their whereabouts or alert colleagues of an emergency. • Before showing a property, the typical REALTOR® meets about half of new prospective buyers in a real estate office or other neutral location. NAR offers more information about safety and provides tips to stay safe.