Why the Real Estate Industry Keeps Failing REALTORS® on Safety
Every year, I stand in front of rooms full of REALTORS® and hear the same thing:
“This training should be mandatory.”
They’re not talking about sa
les training.
They’re talking about learning how to stay alive in a job that regularly puts them alone with strangers in empty houses. A job that, according to the Canadian Real Estate Associations (CREA), own survey, shows that 9.6% of active REALTORS have been a victim of a crime while performing the duties of their job!
And yet… industry leadership still treats safety as optional. Education that needs to be convenient, rather than supported and encouraged. Here’s why — and why it has to change.
1. Sales Come First, Safety Comes Last
In a commission-driven business, the focus is on production — listings, sales, and market share. If it doesn’t generate income immediately, it’s pushed down the priority list. Safety doesn’t get the same budget or urgency as marke
ting and sales training… even though one violent incident can cost a life, a career! Yet, safety education doesn’t make money, nor is it glamourous. It is however vital in an Industry that has been identified as on
e of the highest risk professions in North America.
2. “It Doesn’t Really Happen”
Many local leaderships, at Board and Association, point to low reported incident numbers as proof REALTORS® are safe. But most incidents never get reported. Creepy encounters, threats, stalking — they’re brushed off as “part of the job.” However, this is really where the entire understanding of violence within the Real Estate Industry collapses. A lack of understanding of the behavioural indicators of sexual, process and resour
ce predators. These encounters, can be interpreted as creepy, however they are far from creepy to the Predator. These are learning experience to an individual who has used violence for the majority of their life, learning experiences that will turn them into a highly successful and very dangerous
Predator. A Predator who has learned how to communicate with their victim before they meet. A learning experience that will teach them what words and sentences can be used to target a victim. Scripts, or verbiage that will be used to lure that same victim to a location of the Predators choosing. They learn this from the very victims they watch, contact and speak with.
3. Fear of Acknowledgment
Will acknowledging the issue, tarnish the image of the Industry? I’ll let this statement stand for itself.
4. Resistance to Anything Mandatory
Because most REALTORS® are independent contractors, there’s a culture of independence, being my own boss, the owner of my own business. Leadership leans into that, is reluctant to make anything within the Industry mandatory — but somehow, other training like ethics and anti-money laundering, legislative education updates still gets mandated. Safety? Still optional, or not offered at all.
5. Outdated, Surface-Level Advice
Many boards rely on generic tips written by people with no violence prevention background. Round table meetings and discussions on how to keep members safe! “I think this will help”, yet none have experience regarding true violence. Surface recommendations that do not prevent or even lower the risk of incidents, advice directed at Opportunistic Crime, yet Members within this Industry do not face crimes of opportunity. Advice like “Meet in public” and “trust your gut”, “keep your cell phone charged” “tell someone where your location is”, even… are you ready for this… Keep your gas tank full. These aren’t strategies — they’re soundbites. They don’t reflect the tactics predators actually use on REALTORS®. It’s interesting to me what peoples beliefs are surrounding the management of violence. “I’ve watched John Wick, therefore I am John Wick”!
6. Reactive, Not Proactive
Reality Prevention Education is the MOTHER of all SAFETY! Unfortunately, interest in safety spikes only after tragedy. I’ve seen it happen again and again. A REALTOR® is harmed, everyone scrambles for training, and within weeks it fades… until it happens again.
Reality of Safety –
Safety is not a “nice-to-have.” thing
It’s however a business advantage.
It protects your people.
It reduces liability.
It builds trust with clients.
And it ensures every REALTOR® has the tools to get home at the end of the day.
This isn’t about fear.
It’s about preparation.
Because when you know better, you work smarter — and you walk into every situation with the confidence you can handle whatever comes.
It’s time for the industry to stop treating safety like an optional extra — and start treating it like the essential skill it is. After all, these good people, REALTORS, are registered to deal with the two greatest causes of anxiety and violence in society. Money and Relationships, yet the Industry has never educated them on how to deal with these unfortunate situations when others only see violence as the answer to their problem.
Rob Andress is a violence prevention specialist, who has worked with over 7000 Real Estate Professionals across Canada. Street Safe Self Defence Training Company is Canadas Leader in Violence Prevention and Safety Education Training for Todays Real Estate Professional
You can contact Rob at 613 340 8002 or online www.streetsafeselfdefence.com or rob@streetsafeselfdefence.com