After a Arkansas realtor was found dead after she never came home from showing a house, many are wondering how risky the industry is.
Columbia realtor April Alsup says the case may make real estate associations look at their safety plans.
"I would hope any time there's a crime like this that's so heinous, that it would make in the industry stop and think about what they're doing," said Alsup.
Alsup has been showing homes in the midlands for the past 18 years. Despite her experience, Alsup is constantly thinking of safety tips from the moment she books a client. Having a prospective buyer get pre-qualified is just one of the ways to verify their identity.
"They have to give their information to a loan officer. It's their social security number, their date of birth, where they lived, where they work, all of these different things," said Alsup. "That's something that a loan officer verifies and keeps so you know that there's someone who's kind of checked up on these people."
Not parking in the driveway so she can't be blocked in is another thing Alsup thinks of before she enters a home.
Once the tour begins, she says realtors should always be conscious of where their client is.
"It's better to allow them to lead, that way you're not exposing your back to them therefore making yourself vulnerable," said Alsup.
57% of the industry is made up of women according to the National Association of Realtors, which can make them a target.
Alsup says law enforcement agencies often offer classes for real estate agents to prevent any incidents and the agencies communicate when there is one.
"We also get things like alerts from our local Multiole Listing Service about people who have been contacting other agents in the area who their behavior is just suspicious," said Alsup. "Sometimes it says that local law enforcement would like to question them, even."
Now that the spotlight is on Carter's murder, Alsup says it sheds light on issues realtors face daily. She hopes this will cause more buyers to understand the precautions they have to take.
