{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"044: Safety Tips for REALTORS\u00ae with Donny Allen","description":"REALTORS\u00ae are being targeted more and more over the past ten years. With September being REALTOR\u00ae Safety Month, Donny Allen joins Monica on the show today to talk about safety on the job \u2014best practices to keep yourself and your clients safe. Monica and Donny discuss effective ways to help REALTORS\u00ae live in confidence, not in fear.   Donny grew up on large farms and ranches and had to learn to defend himself from the different animals and also gained a heightened mindset of awareness. When he got started in real estate, he found he had a passion for teaching REALTOR\u00ae safety.   When you think about safety, it\u2019s not just physical safety; it\u2019s our reputation\u2019s safety and financial safety. Situational awareness is key to the real estate business now more than ever. Some vulnerable situations are meeting clients at unfamiliar properties, sitting in an open house alone, and even issues like cybersecurity.   Donny shares safety tips for meeting strangers or new clients. If you don\u2019t know the client, try to meet them at the office first, rather than meeting them at the property. If you\u2019re able, take someone to go along with you. Also, be conscious of what time you are meeting new clients, and arrive early to get a lay of the property. Monica talks about the protocol she uses for herself when meeting clients. It is important to have some sort of consistent system or policy so all potential clients are treated fairly. If you run an office or a brokerage, it is important to have an office policy as well. There also needs to be training around agent safety so everyone is aware and follows the same policy.   Donny and Monica talk about the public reaction to some of these safety precautions. For the majority, these safety measures are met with positive response because it protects not only the REALTOR\u00ae but also the client.   In any situation, it\u2019s important to approach your decision based on your training and experience. Donny shares some statistics on the self-defense weapons REALTORS\u00ae carry. If you don\u2019t think you can use a weapon for defense, don\u2019t carry it. Regardless of what philosophy you adopt in your own business, make sure you have a plan for getting out of potentially dangerous situations, and practice that plan so you can execute it should you ever need to.   Donny shares some of the statistics on how many agents have experienced safety concerns, whether a physical attack or cyber attack. Thirty-three percent of all REALTORS\u00ae have felt uncomfortable in a situation. Monica shares her own experience with this.   There are some safety apps you can download to your phone to help keep you safe. It will come down to what is best for you, but some apps Donny recommends are CentraLock, SupraBox. Many smartphones also have an emergency SOS feature. A battery-operated noisemaker that you keep on your person can also be very effective. While these apps and devices are valuable, don\u2019t put all of your comfort in an app. Make sure you have some sort of backup.   Donny\u2019s parting thought for agents is to have a plan and practice different scenarios. Take a self-defense class, and always be willing to ask for help or take a buddy. The most important thing is to trust your instincts and increase your situational awareness.   Tweetables:   \u201cI believe that with good planning, people are aware and prepared and they don\u2019t need to live in fear.\u201d \u2014 Monica   \u201cThat\u2019s exactly what I want to point out. I want to bring your awareness to not only what you\u2019re doing, but what they\u2019re [the client] doing as well.\u201d \u2014 Donny   \u201cWe\u2019ve talked a lot about weapons, but I would always say getting away from the situation is best.\u201d \u2014 Donny   Guest Links:   Donny\u2019s Website   Nar.realtor\/safety   Nar.realtor\/safety\/56-safety-tips-for-realtors   Additional Links:   crdpodcast.com   Online learning.REALTOR for NAR Online Education Training4RE.com \u2014 List of Classroom Courses from NAR and its affiliates   CRD@REALTORS.org   Host Information: Monica Neubauer Speaker\/Podcaster\/REALTOR\u00ae Monica@MonicaNeubauer.com FuntentionalLiving.com FranklinTNBlog.com   Monica's Facebook Page Facebook.com\/FranklinMonica   Additional Bio:   Donny Allen   ABR\u00ae, CIPS, CL, CLHMS, CRB, CRS, GRI, MGRI, MRE, PMN, SRS, AHWD, e-PRO\u00ae, PSA, SFR\u00ae Donny Allen is a Broker\/Owner and Agent with Keller Williams Realty of Southwest Missouri located in Joplin, MO. Donny began his real estate career as a salesperson with Century 21 Associated Ltd in 1996.  Donny holds the ABR\u00ae, CIPS, CL, CLHMS, CRB, CRS, GRI, MGRI, MRE, PMN, and SRS designations in addition to the AHWD, e-PRO\u00ae, PSA, and SFR\u00ae certifications. He has been teaching, training, mentoring, and coaching agents for more than 24 years. Donny is a graduate of the 2006 Missouri REALTORS\u00ae Leadership Academy and the 2017 NAR Leadership Academy and he was inducted into the NAR RPAC Hall of Fame in 2017 and the REBAC Hall of Fame in 2019.   Donny is a hard-working REALTOR\u00ae who lives to help and serve at a high level in his chosen profession.  What you may not know\u2026 is that Donny has a passion to serve and protect his REALTOR\u00ae family and others by educating and training them in the areas of safety and security. Donny is an approved NAR Safety Instructor. The Center for Specialized REALTOR\u00ae Education allows approved instructors to present Real Estate Safety Matters, a course designed to educate and expand upon some key safety concerns, tips, and best practices.   DonnyAllen.com ","author_name":"Center for REALTOR\u00ae Development","author_url":"http:\/\/www.CRDpodcast.com","html":"