There don't appear to be any real solid statistics on the number of real estate agents who fall victim to murder,
rape, assault, or robbery each year. However they fall victim to sexual assault, fatal and non-fatal shootings, beatings, and stabbings;
robbery, and car jacking and the rate has been increasing since 1997.
Sarah Ann Walker was brutally murdered while presiding over an open house in McKinney, Texas when she was
stabbed 27 times. A house hunting couple found her body on the kitchen floor.
St. Petersburg, FL, March 2006. A neatly dressed young man posing as a relocated Drug Enforcement Administration
agent spent over four hours looking at houses with a real estate agent before asking to return to one of the first homes he had
seen. There he attacked her, took her car keys and purse while threatening to kill her with the gun and the 12-inch hunting knife
he had concealed on his person.
DeKalb County, GA, May 2006. Within 11 days, three female real estate agents in DeKalb County reported being
robbed at gunpoint by a man and woman. A month earlier another DeKalb County agent was abducted and forced to withdraw $1,500 from an ATM machine then
taken to a jewelry store where she used credit cards to purchase a $7,500 Rolex watch for the robber. During the incident he
frequently threatened to shoot her or "dismember" her if she did not cooperate.
Baltimore, MD, July 2004. Maryland State Police warned realtors about a man who allegedly injured one agent
and could be stalking others. In the first incident a female agent was assaulted during an open house by a visitor who looked
around the house then picked up an object and struck the agent on the back of the head. Police had first viewed it as an isolated
incident but other agents reported a man matching the description had attended open houses in the area and in one case tried to
lure the host agent into an isolated part of the house. The agent who was hit was able to fend off her attacker but police believe
it was intended as a sexual assault.
Realtor Safety Tips
Always meet a client for the first time in the office. Introduce him or her to coworkers and make it clear that
they know you are taking him out of the office. Try to take separate cars but if that is not possible you will have slightly more control
if you drive. Do not meet a client at the property, particularly if he is calling on a yard sign. He will already have had a chance to note
if the property is vacant.
Get a license plate number and leave it at the front desk. Just explain that it is office policy; a customer who
means no harm won't mind. You might also leave an itinerary for your house tour.
Don't identify a property as vacant to a caller on an ad or sign.
When showing property to a stranger, follow rather than lead him through the house. Don't let him get between you and
the door. At an open house, take up a position as close to the door as practical.
Always carry a cell phone where it is easily accessible (not in the purse you left in the car or stowed in a kitchen
cabinet.) Make sure emergency numbers are programmed into the speed dial.
Ask the office manager to control keys to the office and to place deadbolts on the doors. If you are alone in the
office at night draw the shades and do not admit anyone you do not know well and trust.
If legal in your state purchase a personal safety protection device such as a pepper spray, stun gun, personal alarm or a
taser and keep it available.
Go with your gut. If something doesn't feel right, if anything raises the hair on the back of your neck escape the
situation immediately. You might feel like an idiot but don't worry about it.
Police have also noted an increase in crimes where a woman sets up the victim, even for sexual assault. Women agents tend to
be much more trusting of another female and let down their guard. Until you really know a customer, remain vigilant regardless of the gender,
appearance, dress, or charm. It could save your life.
Realtor Comments
"Recently a close friend of mine was brutally attacked and sexually assaulted in a scenario that should not be dangerous.
She was a Realtor showing a house to a client she had talked to several times on the phone and had been approved for a loan. The person posing
as a client turned out to be a predator who lured her into a house and then proceeded to attack her.
Due to this I have made it my personal mission to put a safety device in the hands of everyone I know and come in contact
with. Hopefully the next time someone I know is attacked they will say 'I'm glad I decided to defend myself', instead of 'I just didn't think
this would ever happen to me."
Ed De La Pena
Real Estate Agent
Redlands, California
"I’m a Full-Time Realtor in Northeast Ohio and also teach Real Estate Pre-Licensing classes designed to help adult students
pass their agent exam.
Real Estate agents are unfortunately put into a potentially dangerous situation every time we go on a listing appointment or
show houses to potential buyers. Think about it…Our job is to meet strangers in an unfamiliar house & many times these homes are vacant with
all utilities shut off.
I was watching the news one evening & heard a story about Taser Parties. I knew instantly that I wanted to get involved to
help my fellow agents be safe. I investigated different companies & found Crime Shield, USA the perfect choice…No pressure, No hassle and No
upfront costs to get started!
Not only did they have the new easy to use Taser C2 but over 300 other items that would give the agents in my area their
choice of non-lethal self defense products.
It was a no-brainer for me; I could help fight crime on a personal level & earn some extra cash. Check out Crime Shield, USA
for yourself."
Clara J. Alden
Real Estate Agent
Akron, Ohio
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