Real Estate Agents Face Increasing Dangers on the Job

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A recent report has shed light on the growing safety concerns for real estate agents, who often meet strangers alone in private homes during open houses and showings. Experts say the industry has 'normalized' this risk, leaving many agents unaware of the dangers they face on the job. The article examines industry data and interviews with agents, officials, and safety experts to uncover the unsettling realities of real estate work.

Why it matters

Real estate agents play a crucial role in the housing market, but their safety has often been overlooked. This report highlights the need for the industry to prioritize agent safety and implement standardized screening processes and safety protocols to protect its workforce.

The details

The article cites a recent cold case arrest linked to an open house killing in Iowa as a grim reminder of the risks real estate agents face. It notes that the industry has responded with a wave of safety measures, but experts say more needs to be done. One expert is quoted saying: 'We need to really understand that real estate is one of the only professions where you meet strangers alone in private, enclosed spaces, with no standardized screening process. The entire industry has normalized that risk, so many people don't even recognize that risk anymore.'

• The article was published on March 31, 2026.