Over the past few years, there has been a spotlight shown on something even more important than closing the deal — REALTOR® safety. Real estate agents must engage in risky behavior — such as meeting strangers and traveling alone to unfamiliar places — every day, leaving them vulnerable to potentially dangerous situations. Luckily, advances in technology as well as an increase in awareness have made it easier for REALTORS® to protect themselves.
So what steps can you take to protect yourself? Well, many agents are choosing to arm themselves with a personal security app on their phone. The following two options are highly rated and offer some unique safety features.
RealAlert: “The Personal Safety App”
- Developed by a real estate agent.
- Alarm will sound with the tap of a finger. Since many perpetrators will retreat at the sound of an alarm, this could be a life-saving feature.
- 911 button. Automatically dial 9-1-1 in an instant.
- Hospital locator. RealAlert will identify nearby hospitals and give directions to the closest one.
- “Creep Data” collector. An easy-to-use form allows you to capture details about the attacker while they are fresh in your mind (name, contact information, physical features and even an audio clip).
- Alert-a-Friend. Speed dial your pre-determined emergency contact at the touch of a button.
- Flashlight feature.
- Available for iPhone and Android.
- Cost: $4.99 (one time download).
- Visit www.realalertapp.com.
BMonitored: “The App that's got your back”
- Automated monitoring. BMonitored will confirm that you are safe by prompting you to enter your one-digit pin number at pre-set intervals throughout your entire meeting.
- Automated alerts to monitors. If you do not respond, an automated e-mail alert will be sent out to your emergency contacts (“monitors”). (ProVersion will also send a text message.) The alert will include the details about your meeting, including time and place, who you were meeting, and why. (ProVersion also includes your last known GPS location.
- EMERGENCY button. If you need immediate assistance, this button will instantly send e-mails to your monitor(s) and dial 9-1-1. (ProVersion also texts, records audio/video, and sends GPS location.)
- Available for iPhone and Android.
- Cost: Free (Lite Version); $2.99/mo (ProVersion).
- Visit www.bmonitored.com.