27% of Residential Realtors® Lack Personal Safety Protocols

September is Realtor® Safety Month, highlighting the importance of Realtors® practicing safety on the job. From meeting with new clients to hosting open houses, it’s crucial for all Realtors® to have safety protocols in place so they’re aware of and prepared for everything. 

Last year, 27% of residential Realtors® reported not having personal safety protocols in place to follow with every client, according to the National Association of Realtors®’ 2024 Member Safety Residential Report. On the commercial side, 33% of Realtors® reported the same, per NAR’s 2024 Member Safety Commercial Report. 

These protocols can help Realtors® avoid tricky situations. NAR offers tips to create a safety plan. 

In 2024, 22% of residential Realtors® and 25% of commercial Realtors® experienced a situation that made them fear for their personal safety or their personal information. These most commonly occurred: 

• During an open house 
• During a showing 
• After receiving a threatening or inappropriate communication 
• While meeting a new client for the first time at a secluded location 

Female Realtors® experienced these scary situations more often than men, with 25% of female residential Realtors® and 12% of male residential Realtors® reporting them. Commercially, the numbers amount to 29% of females and 18% of males. 

In both the residential and commercial sectors, Realtors® most often encountered scary situations in metro/urban areas, with suburban and rural areas close behind. 

One way Realtors® combat safety threats on the job is by participating in self-defense classes. Last year, 41% of residential Realtors® reported taking a class, compared to 47% of commercial Realtors®. In both sectors, these numbers were up from 2023 (38% and 42%, respectively). 

Another preventative measure is carrying self-defense weapons. In 2024, 54% of both residential and commercial Realtors® said they chose to carry one. The top three weapons for both sectors were firearms, pepper spray and pocket knives. 

Safety protocols aren’t just for individual Realtors®. Brokerages often have standard safety procedures to keep their agents safe. However, last year, only 53% of both residential and commercial Realtors® said they knew their brokerage had personal safety procedures in place. 

For more Realtor® safety information: 

• Register for PAR’s “From Safe to Sold: How Smart Agents Turn Safety Into Profit” webinar on Sept. 9. 
• Read Realtor® safety articles on JustListed. 
• See NAR’s safety resource page.