At first glance, real estate agents may appear to have a secure profession. They do not operate heavy machinery, scale trees or telephone poles, handle hazardous chemicals, or engage in underwater activities. Furthermore, they generally do not confront criminals or unstable individuals. However, is this perception entirely accurate?
- Primarily, real estate agents typically work independently as contractors, spending significant time in the field. They often conduct property showings and open houses alone. This independence can make agents, particularly female agents, targets for criminals who recognize their vulnerability.
- Secondly, agents frequently interact with individuals they do not know. When meeting someone at a property or in other settings, they lack insight into the person’s background. This means they could potentially be showing a home to someone with a criminal history, substance abuse issues, or mental health challenges. There is also the risk that an individual may be carrying a weapon or intending to commit theft, assault, or other harmful actions.
- Thirdly, agents have minimal control over the locations of the properties they represent. While they may specialize in specific communities, the precise positioning of those homes can vary significantly. Properties may be situated in transitional neighborhoods, or they could be abandoned or foreclosed. In some cases, squatters may occupy these locations. Consequently, agents cannot predict the challenges they may encounter when entering into a transaction.
- Fourth, real estate agents often utilize public advertising to attract potential buyers to open houses. Unfortunately, this can also make it easier for criminals to identify these events as potential opportunities for theft or other malicious activity.
At Focus One Group, providing tailored support to realtors, both male and female, is a top priority. To enhance our unique services for realtors across Ontario and other provinces in Canada, we have partnered with My E-Force, an Alberta-based company, to offer “I-SECURE”—a comprehensive health, safety, and security platform.
I-SECURE features real-time biometric analytics, GPS location tracking, SOS emergency alert notifications, and customizable check-in options, all seamlessly integrated with our ULC-approved Incident Management Centre (IMC) operators. This ensures that realtors remain connected and protected at all times. The I-SECURE app, powered by My E-Force, can be installed on both Smartwatches and Smartphones, supporting both iOS and Android platforms, providing a versatile and reliable solution for realtor safety.
For more information about I-SECURE services, please contact Steve Davies at steve@focusonegroup.com or call 416-606-3300. Additional details about the services offered by Focus One Group can be found at www.focusonegroup.com