California’ biggest association of real estate professionals recently took a step toward increasing the safety of its members when out on the road.
The California Association of Realtors (CAR) recently signed on to the Realtor Safe Harbor program, a platform that allows agents to locate a designated safe spot to meet with client and be monitored while there. CAR is the largest state association in the profession to begin working with the Safe Harbor program, with 100-plus local associations and more than 175,000 members.
Ten additional state associations, including Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Oregon and Missouri, have already joined Safe Harbor. There are registered Safe Harbor sites in 24 states.
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The platform is a product of Real Agent Guard, which provides mobile personal safety solutions for employees. Real Agent Guard also offers video monitoring of open houses. Realtor Safe Harbor was first begun as a service of the Arkansas Realtors Association.
The idea is to provide subscribers with peace of mind when asked to meet with clients who want to, for example, see a property far from their home office. The Safe Harbor platform is both a Web-based site and mobile app that enables members to quickly pinpoint safe locations to meet. The mobile product is available for both iOS and Android platforms.
“Safe Harbor is an outstanding program to offer our members across the state,” said Ziggy Zicarelli, president at CAR, in a statement. “Keeping each and every Realtor in the state of California safe is one of our top priorities, and we are happy to join with the creators of Real Agent Guard to make this happen.”
Safe Harbor locations have pledged to make their offices available for meeting with a new client. This allows agents to capture information about the prospective client, such as address, vehicle make and model, and driver’s license information and quickly send that back to their home office before heading out with the client.
The app also pinpoints coffee shops and police stations, which can serve as locations for after-hours meetings.
Agencies and other places of business that would like to become a “safe harbor” can sign up on the website.
To learn more about Safe Harbor, or to become one, visit www.RealtorSafeHarbor.com.
