Welcome to Guardian Agent!

Real Estate Empowerment, Safety and Self Defense

We train real estate professionals in safety and empowerment. We equip
you with the knowledge and tools to recognize unsafe situations, defend
yourself, if necessary, be confident to perform your profession to the
highest level without undue fear or anxiety.

As a real estate professional, are you safe?
  
​
Consider the following incidents:

​Arkansas broker Beverly Carter vanished after going to meet a prospective
buyer at a house in a small Arkansas community. Her abandoned SUV was
found in the driveway; fake texts were sent from her phone to her husband
indicating that she was out with friends. In reality, she had been murdered
and left in a shallow grave at a construction site. Her cell phone helped
authorities find her body.
• A real estate agent in Cary was raped while showing a house. She
showed one property to the attacker without incident. He then asked that
she take him to a second, smaller property. Once inside the second house,
the man assaulted her. The broker was afraid to call police afterward
because the attacker threatened to “come back and get her” if she did, but
a friend reported the incident and the man was arrested and convicted of
sexual battery.
Unfortunately, incidents like this aren’t rare — and they don’t only happen
to women.

Real estate agents face significant safety risks due to the nature of their
work, which often involves meeting clients alone in empty homes. These

situations can make them vulnerable to violence, including sexual assault
and murder. The industry's lack of robust safety measures and the
pressure on agents to appear approachable also contribute to the problem. 
Hundreds of real estate professionals have been murdered while on the job
throughout the United States. Many more have been raped, beaten, robbed
or attacked by animals.
Recognizing the need for greater attention to real estate agent safety, the
North Carolina Association of REALTORS® and the North Carolina Real
Estate Commission agreed to cooperate in promoting the education of real
estate licensees about agent safety. Through the leadership of the
REALTOR® Association’s North Carolina Real Estate Safety Council, this
safety guide was published to assist in this educational effort. This guide
contains some common sense safety tips that have been compiled from
crime victims and real estate associations across the country. To order the
guide go to https://www.ncrec.gov/Brochures/Safetyguide.pdf

Some of the safety concerns Real Estate Agents/Brokers face include:
 Meeting Clients Alone:
Agents often meet clients in empty homes, creating vulnerable situations. 
 Industry Pressure:
The industry can pressure agents to be overly approachable and friendly,
potentially making them targets for abuse. 
 Lack of Safety Training:
Many brokerages don't provide adequate safety training, leaving agents
unprepared for potential dangers. 
 Limited Reporting:
Agents may hesitate to report incidents due to fear of retaliation or being
seen as unprofessional. 
Safety Measures and Resources:
Safety Apps and Notifications:

Some agents use apps or safety notification procedures to keep track of
their whereabouts and alert others if needed. 
Safety Training:
(This is where Shield Defense comes in)
Brokerages can provide safety training to equip agents with the knowledge
and skills to recognize and avoid dangerous situations. 
Building a culture where agents feel comfortable reporting incidents without
fear of reprisal is crucial. 
Examples of Safety Concerns:
 A complex trauma therapist, Kimberly Perlin, has treated several real
estate agents who were sexually assaulted at work.
 Dawna Hetzler, a real estate agent, began carrying a gun on the job
after a friend encouraged her to get tactical training and a concealed
weapon permit due to the risks involved. 
Addressing the Issue:
 Industry Support:
The industry needs to take a more proactive role in promoting safety, such
as through mandatory safety training and by creating a culture of safety.
 Agent Empowerment:
Agents need to be empowered to prioritize their safety and report incidents
without fear of retaliation. 

Real estate safety for agents involves taking proactive measures to
minimize risks when meeting clients and showing properties, including pre-
screening clients, using safety apps, scheduling daytime showings, and
always being aware of your surroundings. It also includes limiting personal
information shared and avoiding advertising properties as vacant. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown of real estate safety tips:
1. Pre-Screen Clients:
 Verify client information before scheduling appointments. 
 Use public records to confirm their identity and consider requiring ID. 
 First meetings should be in a public place rather than at a property,
especially if there are few neighbors. 
2. Stay Aware and Alert:
 Always be mindful of your surroundings and potential hazards.
 Be aware of people and situations around you, especially when
returning to your car or in parking lots/garages.
 Avoid distracted walking (texting, talking on the phone, wearing
headphones). 
3. Daytime Showings:
 Schedule showings during daylight hours whenever possible.
 If showing after dark, ensure ample lighting and open curtains/blinds. 
4. Share Your Location:
 Inform colleagues or friends about your whereabouts and schedule.
 Check in with your office regularly, especially during open houses. 
5. Limit Personal Information:
 Don't share excessive personal details, including home address,
phone number, or full name.
 Consider advertising without your photograph or full name. 
6. Be Cautious with Open Houses:
 Do not host open houses alone, especially in multi-level dwellings.
 Check in with your office routinely during open houses.
 Always be aware of potential hazards and escape routes. 
7. Be Aware of Scams:
 Be aware of scam listings of your properties on social media
platforms.
 Check social media daily for unauthorized listings or suspicious
activity. 
8. Construction Site Safety:
 Wear appropriate safety gear (hard hat, high-visibility vest, industrial-
grade footwear) when touring construction sites.
 Avoid touching anything on the construction site. 
9. Other Safety Considerations:
 Carry a cell phone with a charged battery and signal.
 Have a plan for if a situation escalates (safe word, escape route).
 Consider self-defense classes.
 Trust your instincts; if something feels wrong, err on the side of
caution

If that voice inside of you is telling you to find out more about this, listen to
it!

Contact us today to discuss your needs or the needs of your team. We’re
here to help!

The Guardian Agent program Level 1:
We are committed to your safety. In this program we arm you with easy to
learn (and do) practical hands-on techniques to help you escape or defend

yourself. We increase your awareness, your physical skills, and give
strategies that can save your life. This is a basic course that every real
estate professional should go through as a basic foundation. The workshop
is fun, interactive, and everyone can do it.

Your Instructors: 
Jim Phiefer:
Jim has a heart for helping people.
He is a current active Real estate broker. He and his wife Cindy, own a real
estate company called xxxxxxx.
Jim served in law enforcement (30 years plus) in various capacities,
including officer, detective, etc. He knows firsthand how dangerous our
modern society has become.
Marty Josey
Marty has a passion for helping people grow, learn, develop, and be the
best they can be. He has spent the majority of his life helping people, in
one capacity or another.
Marty is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, real estate broker (inactive), and
personal development & leadership coach and trainer.
 He has a Master of Science degree in Nursing, and is Board Certified in
Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing. He is a Board-certified Life Coach, a
Certified Health Coach, a Certified Tony Robbins Life Strategies coach,
and a certified member of the John Maxwell team.​