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REALTOR® Safety - The Beverly Carter Story

By
Education & Training with Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp Non-Licensed

"Your safety in real estate is non-negotiable" was the title of a session we did yesterday with Carl Carter, son of Beverly Carter who was abducted and murdered during what seemed like a routine interaction with a potential all cash buyer. 


Carl's live-stream feed from the cloud to the industry yesterday was more than just a very powerful, moving presentation and very touching story, it was a REALTOR® safety testimony that only someone with his background and experience could deliver.

His life, story and presentation are an impactful combination of harrowing details involving his mother's story while providing practical industry anecdotes and takeaways for active agents worldwide. Let's face it, we are surrounded by good people as much as we are some very bad people. 

Angela Sams, an agent in Edgewater, Maryland once beat a man with a broom stick and chased him all the way to the end of the street. She broke the broom and had to buy the client a new one.

Here's a recording of the session if you're interested. If nothing else, I hope this creates a greater awareness that having a plan, a strategy, an accountability group or anything that can keep us safer is critical. Safety is the last thing many agents think about when they go out to help a client.


Carl Carter's mission and passion are to take his mother's experience and use it as an inspiration to help make positive changes in agents' business safety and to help save lives. Here's where you can make a significant difference in the world by sharing this information with others you care about and love.

Some of the takeaways included the lessons learned from Beverly Carter's Story.  The power of discovering efficient processes and finding safer practices. Examining our personal marketing for mixed messages. Establishing better and more efficient safety partnerships & accountability.

The National Associations of REALTORS® honored Beverly Carter in this article, 'Beverly Carter, You Left a Legacy' read more...  Inman News also shared a resourceful article about agents using apps and wearable tech to stay safe. read more...

One useful resource to check out is CrimeReports.com. Search maps or by reports. Just knowing your market and what homes are for sale isn't enough anymore. There are a plethora of apps, tools and methods available which can keep us all be safer, I'd even suggest taking a self-defense course.

 


NAR published 56 Safety Tips for REALTORS
which has some awesome tips, definitely worth a view.  

Please share this with every active agent you know, both men and women because no one is exempt and your safety and health are truly Non-Negotiable.

 

Comments (52)

Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

A very nice post on a very sad topic. We as an industry have been way too trusting and too often have overlooked safety concerns. This is a great wake-up call.

Jan 16, 2017 04:56 AM
Brad Andersohn

Nina - I don't mean to be the "Alarm Clock" but a "Wake Up Call" is EXACTLY what this is. Thank you for reading and commenting. 

Jan 16, 2017 03:21 PM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

I can see why Kathy chose to highlight your post this week...great job!

Jan 16, 2017 07:07 AM
Brad Andersohn

Hey Kristin - I'm happy to be the "chosen" one by Kathy this week, I hope it's reach is far and effective. Great to see you, looking forward to seeing everyone a little more around here.  :)

Jan 16, 2017 03:24 PM
Sussie Sutton
David Tracy Real Estate - Houston, TX
David Tracy Real Estate for Buyers & Sellers

Hers was such a sad story and we do need to be mindful everyday to be careful first!

Jan 16, 2017 07:42 AM
Brad Andersohn

Okay Sussie - here's you reminder for today...


Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment :)

Jan 16, 2017 03:26 PM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

This safety issue can never be stressed enough!  Thanks so much for this link, Brad.  

Jan 16, 2017 11:48 AM
Brad Andersohn

Thanks Carol and you're very welcome. 

Jan 16, 2017 03:26 PM
Anonymous
Jani Bielenberg

It is such a horrible event. That we can't trust anymore is sad. I will not meet new clients at a showing. I always take my Husband. I also do not hold open houses by myself anymore.

Jan 16, 2017 12:09 PM
#37
John Meussner
Mortgages in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IN, MD, MN, MT, NC, NJ, NV, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI - Fair Oaks, CA
#MortgageMadeEasy Fair Oaks, CA 484-680-4852

Important info for every agent to know & keep in mind, thanks for sharing.

Jan 16, 2017 01:21 PM
Brad Andersohn

John - thank YOU for sharing :)

Jan 16, 2017 03:27 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Glad to see this post getting the attention that it is. Your safety deserves your priority so thank you ActiveRain for featuring this and helping to get the word out there! :)

Jan 16, 2017 02:31 PM
Amy Gutschow
RE/MAX - Sheboygan, WI
Professional Real Estate

Beverly will live on in the valuable lesson that came out of this horrific experience.  I will never forget.  I will honor her and her family by learning from this and being more cautious and less trusting.  Because this should not have happened to this lovely strong woman.  We have to change.

Jan 16, 2017 03:38 PM
Brad Andersohn

Amy - well said... thank you!!!!!!   :)

Jan 16, 2017 08:45 PM
Dorte Engel
RE/MAX Leading Edge - Bowie, MD
ABC - Annapolis, Bowie, Crofton & rest of Maryland

Dear Brad,

Yes. Good to be vigilant. A new broom is a cheap price for your life. Hopefully, it was a lesson for the perpetrator too. 

Jan 16, 2017 06:04 PM
Brad Andersohn

I think the "Broom" stock price just went up?!?  :)

Jan 16, 2017 08:46 PM
Cheryl Dukes . . . . . Intown Atlanta
Guaranteed Offer for your Home - eXp realty - Atlanta, GA

Good points to remember, since most of our business is done solo. Good to carry something that will make a loud noise that can be set off if we smell trouble. It might startle the perpetrator and provide an opportunity to get the heck out of Dodge.

Jan 17, 2017 06:32 AM
Brad Andersohn

Cheryl - LOUD NOISES Can save lives for sure.

I used to have a small alarm box that when you pulled out the pin, it made this obnoxious annoying sound that would curdle the ears of anyone within 200 yards, a seriously horrible sound!!



 


It was great for an agent to carry with them. The strap was connected to the pin which was around their wrist. When out alone showing properties, this would go into the purse or pocket etc. This was back in the 80's.



I think it would be great to bring that one back. Pull the pin, noise activates, toss the box at the perp, and they run! Love it~

Jan 17, 2017 07:22 AM
John Slocum
Premiere Property Group, LLC - Vancouver Washington - Vancouver, WA
Broker, SFR - Vancouver WA Real Estate

Hi Brad, this post and topic is essential to go over, even if it is a refresher.  We do our best to initially meet clients in a safe place; and back that up with 2nd Amendment Apps.  An "electronic" app I often take is a Guard Dog Flashlight that has a powerful flashlight beam that can easily be switched to a 4 million volt Bug Zapper.  John and Kat

Jan 18, 2017 06:48 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Hi John & Kat - got to get me one of those... as long as it's "Andersohn" proof and I don't blind the dog and shock myself!?!?  DOH~ 

Jan 19, 2017 12:36 PM
Lauren Williams, CPO
Casual Uncluttering LLC - Woodinville, WA
Professional Organizer: Puget Sound homes

I am sorry for Mr. Carter's loss, and for the loss to your industry of a colleague. This is a critical message for anyone who may go alone into an unknown space - realtors, inspectors, cleaning people, repairpeople, my colleagues and I. She had such a beautiful smile.

Jan 23, 2017 06:27 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Hi Lauren Williams, thank you for reading and taking the time to comment. You're absolutely right in that this safety awareness applies to any industry professional that has to go into unknown spaces with unknown people!! 

Jan 24, 2017 05:40 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

Yet agents argue with me when I say I won't go run out and show property. I'll schedule it with pre-approved buyers or documented POF cash buyers. No paperwork, no showings. Tell your office where you'll be when you go show alone. Get ID's before you show.  Many agents put their photo on their cards and marketing and it's like a criminals fantasy. Pick your victim and get them to a vacant home conveniently for your crime. And the gung ho go and then we remember them. I lost an associate to a violent crime showing in 1999, so I'm extremely intense about this topic. That and I'm the son and brother of cops.

Jan 24, 2017 10:34 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor, CRS - being that your the son and brother to cops, I'm grateful to you and your family for helping spread the "REALTOR SAFETY" message and also for sharing your tips and suggestions. Thank you. :)

Jan 25, 2017 07:12 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets

Thanks Brad Andersohn yep my son is actually considering the Marines or Police Academy; these days I think the military is safer. Thanks for your post and your follow up comments. I'm passionate about Realtor safety, so many react instead of think.

Jan 25, 2017 08:12 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Hi Brad!  Well, this one hits home, for sure. I like the idea of an exit strategy when approached...and love the story about the agent chasing the perp down the street, breaking a broom beating him!  I don't know how fast many of us 'old' folks can run these days but, we really do need to have a strategy - and practice that. 

Welcome back!  SO happy to see you here - you just have no idea!

Feb 06, 2017 10:14 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Brad I hear they never filled your old job here:))Endre

Feb 06, 2017 10:38 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Debe Maxwell - soon we'll have so many agents across the country that are ready, armed and prepared for these morons that they'll have to actually avoid the swarm of agents when these circumstances arise. We must BAND together, stick together, and come together when in need. We can build a resistance that protects and keeps all our agents in America safe and secure. 



It's great to be back and Active in the rain, looking forward to a great year. Lets catch up soon, it's been way toooooo long.  :-)

 

 

Feb 07, 2017 06:15 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS

Where's the LOVE button on AR?!!  Great memories!


I completely agree - stick together and watch each others' backs - anything we can do to protect one another.

Feb 07, 2017 09:07 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Endre Barath, Jr. - That could be a good thing... or a bad thing depending on how you look at it? lol~ I think everyone in the community picked up the pieces and carried the baton toward the finish line when I left. What a great community!

I love to work and play in the rain. :)  Be safe out there my friend.

Feb 07, 2017 06:20 AM