🛑 Stay Safe While Selling Homes: Top 7 Realtor Safety

Tips for Cleveland Area Agents

Let’s face it—real estate is a high-risk business, especially for solo agents meeting strangers at vacant properties. Whether you’re hosting an open house in Cleveland Heights, showing a farmhouse in rural Medina, or listing a lakefront home in Avon Lake, personal safety should always be a top priority.

I’m Mike Ferrante with the 21 Mike Team at Century 21 HomeStar, and today, with my trusted colleague Tony Geraci, Broker/Owner of Century21 HomeStar, we are sharing seven critical safety tips to help Realtors in Greater Cleveland and all across Ohio protect themselves while building their business.

1. ✅ Use Tools Like Forewarn

Before you step foot out the door, know who you’re meeting. Thanks to your NAR membership, you likely have access to Forewarn, a powerful app that gives you background info on potential clients using just a phone number. This tool can reveal red flags and give you peace of mind. If Forewarn isn’t available, a simple Google or social media search can help too.

Pro Tip: Set a standard policy of requesting a copy of ID from ALL new clients. It’s not just smart—it’s a good business practice and can protect you legally.

2. 📲 Share Your Location & Use Safety Apps

Your phone isn’t just for texts and calls—it’s a lifeline. Use real-time tracking with a trusted friend, family member, or teammate. There are also personal safety apps and features like ShowingTime’s Showing Beacon that alert others if you’re in distress or don’t check in after a showing.

Tools like Life360, Sentinel, or Bsafe can track your location and send alerts if you don’t check in on time.

3. 🚗 Park for a Quick Exit

Never park in a driveway where you could get blocked in. Park on the street, ideally where neighbors can see you and you can leave quickly in case of emergency. This is especially important when showing properties in rural or secluded areas.

4. 🚪 Let Clients Walk Ahead

Whether you’re going upstairs or entering a basement, always let the client walk in front of you. Maintain visibility and keep yourself between the client and your exit. Avoid turning your back in tight spaces.

“Treat it like you’re playing defense in basketball,” I always say—see the person and the exit at all times.

5. 🔐 Have a Buddy System or Safety Phrase

If something feels off, trust your gut. It’s never a bad idea to bring a colleague or let someone know exactly where you are. One technique I recommend is telling every client:

“My partner will be joining us shortly.”

Even if there’s no partner, it can deter bad intentions. You can also create a safe word or phrase with your office that signals trouble if you need help without raising suspicion.

6. 📹 Watch for Surveillance and Protect Your Clients

With Ring cameras and smart home devices everywhere, assume you’re always being watched and recorded. Coach your clients: don’t talk about money, offer price, or personal details in or near the home.

This protects you from legal and ethical pitfalls—and your buyers from losing negotiation power.

7. 💼 Know When to Say No

You are not obligated to work with every buyer. If something feels off—or if someone is only willing to communicate via WhatsApp or email, refuses to provide ID, or declines to meet in person—it’s OK to walk away.

If you’re a listing agent and overwhelmed with unrepresented buyer inquiries, talk to your seller about only working with agents. This protects your time and reduces risk.

Bonus Tips: Protect Your Time, Too 🕒

Tony adds, “Safety isn’t just physical—protect your time and your business. Screen buyers early with smart qualifying questions.” For example:

• Have you purchased in this area before?

• Are you currently working with another agent?

• Are you pre-approved for financing?

Scammers are out there. Real estate fraud—from fake sellers to wire fraud—is real and rising. Don’t let your eagerness for a deal cloud your judgment.

Final Thoughts

Here at the 21 Mike Team, we pride ourselves on doing more and better business, but never at the expense of safety. Whether you’re a brand-new agent or a 30-year veteran, these tips could save your life or protect your reputation.

For more tips, coaching, or to join one of the top-performing real estate teams in Ohio, visit 21Mike.com or schedule a time to talk at TonyTalk.net.

Stay safe, stay smart, and keep crushing it out there, Cleveland! 🏡

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