I Wish Every REALTOR® Would Read This

Real estate agents are our top identified profession for personal alarms and pepper spray that we sell.  I am writing this to give them back something.  This is what I have learned about your profession.  

If I could sit down with every new real estate agent in America over a cup of coffee, I would probably spend less time talking about real estate and more time talking about personal safety. Every year, thousands of agents willingly do something most people would never consider: they meet complete strangers alone in vacant houses, sometimes after dark, sometimes in neighborhoods they have never visited before, and sometimes with someone they have never met face-to-face. The remarkable thing is that most of these meetings happen without incident, but the problem is that “most” is not “all.”

I have spent more than three decades in the personal safety industry, and whenever I looked at occupations that naturally create risk, real estate was always near the top of the list. Not because selling homes is dangerous, but because the job creates opportunity.

Vacant Houses Are Different

A vacant home is a wonderful place to show a property, but it is also a wonderful place for someone with bad intentions. There are no neighbors watching, no coworkers nearby, no receptionist, and no security desk. If something goes wrong, there may be nobody within earshot. This does not mean agents should become fearful; it means they should become intentional.

Don't Let Commission Cloud Judgment

One of the realities of sales is that every lead feels important, and I understand that because I have spent my career in sales. When someone calls wanting to see a property immediately, it is tempting to drop everything. Sometimes that is exactly the right decision, but sometimes it is not. Before agreeing to meet, ask yourself one simple question: what do I actually know about this person? The answer is often very little.

Verify Before You Meet

Many successful agents already have good procedures in place. They ask for identification, confirm contact information, and qualify buyers before scheduling showings. These are not inconveniences; they are professional standards. Good clients understand that, and the ones who become irritated by basic safety procedures sometimes reveal more than they realize.

Tell Someone Where You'll Be

This sounds simple because it is. Someone in your office, a spouse, a friend, or a family member should know where you are going, who you are meeting, and when you expect to finish. Technology makes this easier than ever, so use it.

Trust the Voice in Your Head

I have written about instincts before because I believe they are often underestimated. If a conversation feels unusual, if requests become strange, if someone insists on meeting at an odd hour, or if your instincts tell you something is not right, reschedule, bring another agent, choose a different location, or simply decline. You do not need a better reason than feeling uncomfortable.

Control the Environment

Whenever practical, meet at your office first. Verify identification, spend a few minutes talking, and observe. People reveal a lot during ordinary conversations, and that first meeting can tell you much more than a series of text messages ever will.

Think About Your Position

One habit I have recommended for years is surprisingly simple: do not let yourself become trapped. When showing a property, think about where you are in relation to the exits and avoid allowing someone you have just met to position themselves between you and the front door. It is not about being suspicious; it is about maintaining options, and options matter.

Technology Is Helpful. It Isn't a Substitute.

Safety apps, location sharing, smartphones, and personal safety devices are all useful, but none of them replaces good judgment. Technology should support your awareness, not replace it.

Your Reputation Matters More Than One Sale

Early in my career, I watched people chase opportunities because they were afraid to lose business. As I got older, I realized that the deals you walk away from are sometimes just as important as the ones you close. No commission is worth placing yourself in unnecessary danger. There will always be another client, but there is only one you.

This Applies Beyond Real Estate

You may not sell homes. You might be a home health nurse, a contractor, a housekeeper, a property manager, an insurance agent, or a photographer. Anyone whose job involves entering unfamiliar homes or meeting unfamiliar people alone faces many of the same challenges. The principles do not change: know who you are meeting, tell someone where you will be, maintain awareness, trust your instincts, and leave if something does not feel right.

A Final Thought

I have met countless professionals over the years who believed personal safety was something that happened to other people—until it did not. Preparation is not pessimism; it is professionalism. Whether you sell one house a year or one hundred, your family expects you to come home at the end of the day. That is the goal. The commission comes second.

Printable REALTOR® Safety Checklist

Bookmark or print this checklist before your next showing.

□ Verify the client's identity whenever practical.
□ Let someone know where you're going.
□ Share your location with a trusted person.
□ Meet at your office first when possible.
□ Keep your phone fully charged.
□ Stay aware of exits.
□ Don't allow yourself to become isolated unnecessarily.
□ Trust your instincts.
□ Leave immediately if something doesn't feel right.
□ Remember that no sale is worth compromising your safety.

Key Takeaways (Pardon the RE Pun)

Vacant properties create unique safety challenges, and verification should be viewed as a professional practice rather than an inconvenience. Maintaining options is one of the foundations of personal safety, and good judgment is more valuable than any piece of equipment. Ultimately, your objective is to finish the day safely, not simply close the transaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I meet every new client at my office first?

It is not always possible, but when practical it provides an opportunity to verify identity and establish a professional relationship before meeting at a property.

Is it appropriate to ask for identification?

Many real estate professionals do, and establishing clear office policies helps make the process routine and professional.

Should I cancel a showing if something feels wrong?

Yes. Trusting your instincts and choosing a safer alternative is a reasonable decision.

Footnotes

1. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), workplace violence prevention guidance.

2. U.S. Department of Labor, workplace safety resources.

Related Articles

• Why Criminals Choose Some Victims and Ignore Others

• Five Mistakes I See People Make in Parking Lots

• What Every Woman Should Know Before Meeting Someone From a Dating App

• The Biggest Lie About Self-Defense

About the Author

David Happe has spent more than three decades in the personal safety industry. He has served as Executive Vice President of Mace Security International, President of Fox Labs Pepper Spray, and founded Vigilant Personal Protection Systems, creator of one of America's leading personal alarm product lines. Today, he manufactures pepper spray in the United States and writes Fight Back to help people make smarter, more informed decisions about personal safety.

Thank you for reading Fight Back.

I started Fight Back because I believe good information can make people safer. If something you read today helps you avoid becoming a victim, better protect your family, or simply think differently about personal safety, then I have accomplished exactly what I set out to do.

I read every email I receive. If you have a question, a story to share, or an idea for a future article, I would love to hear from you.

Contact me:
support@PepperSprayWarehouse.com

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Until next time...

Take Your Safety Into Your Own Hands™

David Happe
Founder, PepperSprayWarehouse.com