Episode 10: Prioritizing Agent Safety with Carl Carter Jr.

In Episode 10 Carl Carter Jr., founder of the Beverly Carter Foundation speaks with Nick Baldwin, host of Real Estate Rewind. In this important episode, Carl educates realtors about precautions we should all take to ensure our personal safety. He pays tribute to his mother, Beverly Carter, who was tragically murdered in 2014 and tells us more about the important work he does in her honor.

 

Episode Highlights: 

 

• Carl Carter Jr. became a realtor after his mother passed. He got his license to better relate to the people he was speaking to. 
• Carl describes his mother as a lovely person who loved the industry.
• Nick Baldwin remembers that Beverly’s story was a huge wake-up to everybody in the industry.
• Carl tells the tragic story of what happened to his mother in September of 2014.
• Carl never would have thought that this would be his path in life, but it is something he is very passionate about.
• He saw an opportunity to teach, speak out, and educate.
• What are some really good ways that we can all stay alert and always be aware?
• Consistent client screenings are key.
• Insist on meeting in a public place first and submitting their IDs.
• How you screen one client applies to all.
• Inform your clients about the best safety practices when their home is on the market.
• We could all ask more questions and reinforce safety protocol.
• Nick requires people at open houses to sign in or they can’t come in.
• Nick encourages his team to put their schedules on the team calendar with addresses.
• Some MLS technology has evolved to address safety concerns.
• Video surveillance is a huge deterrent for crime.
• Carl uses a cloud-based camera and takes it to open houses.
• Know your local laws for surveillance.
• Some agents use sellers’ recording devices to their benefit for safety reasons.
• All the time you need to be on your toes, even if it's somebody that you have shown homes to multiple weekends in a row. 
• Nick never goes up or downstairs first.
• If someone is not willing to do a public consultation with you, you don’t want to work with that person. 
• Carl has met many people with stories involving assault, stalking, and harassment.
• Carl largely speaks to realtors but also to home health professionals.
• He became known as the safety guy.
• As he spoke to more and more people and learned their stories, he felt that there weren’t enough solutions. He wanted to advocate for agents.
• The public perception that agents are wealthy can make them targets.
• Flashing status symbols can be unsafe.
• Stories shape change and stories shape the world.
• Email Carl if you’d like to get involved with his foundation or you’d like advice on starting a non-profit of your own.

 

3 Key Points:

1.   Consistently screen clients. Meet in a public place first and ask for identification.
2.   Help sellers navigate safety while their home is on the market.
3.   Consider using surveillance during open houses.

 

Resources Mentioned:

• Nick Baldwin: LinkedIn  Facebook  
• Findessexandunionhomes.com
• The Beverly Carter Foundation 
• NAR Conference
• Email carl@beverlycarterfoundation.org