Real estate agents frequently work alone, meet unfamiliar clients in vacant properties, and host public open houses. Prioritizing agent safety is not optional—it is a fundamental part of running a professional real estate business.
Combining practical personal safety habits with digital safety technology creates a multi-layered defense in the field.
Best Practices for Agent Safety
1. Screen and Vet Every New Client
Never meet an unverified client at a vacant property for the first showing. Meet new prospects at your brokerage office, a public coffee shop, or require a photo ID verification before scheduling a tour.
2. Control Property Entry Points
When conducting open houses or showings, park where your vehicle cannot be blocked in. Keep deadbolts unlocked while inside, position yourself behind buyers when walking through rooms, and always maintain an unobstructed path to the exit.
3. Trust Your Instincts
If a situation or individual makes you uneasy, do not hesitate to exit immediately. Frame your departure professionally (e.g., taking a call or stepping out to grab paperwork from your car) and leave the property.
Technology That Has Your Back: Automated Check-Ins
Safety tools work best when they don't rely on manual intervention during an emergency. The SentriKey® Real Estate app includes a built-in Agent Safety feature:
- Automated Prompts: Periodically prompts you to confirm you are safe during an active showing.
- Discreet Emergency Alerts: If you do not respond or indicate you need help, the app automatically and quietly sends your exact GPS coordinates to designated emergency contacts.