How does realtor safety technology protect agents during solo property showings? Realtor safety technology has evolved beyond outdated panic buttons to AI-powered smartphone integration that could save your life. In this critical episode, award-winning DFW realtor and SafeAgent co-creator Cathy Hickman reveals the terrifying squatter encounter that exposed dangerous gaps in traditional safety systems—and how discrete emergency alert technology now protects agents showing vacant properties alone.
Learn why 40% of realtors fear for their personal safety on the job, how AI emergency alerts dispatch police to your GPS location within 60 seconds, and which showing security protocols every agent must implement today. Cathy walks through the complete SafeAgent system, explains why slower real estate markets actually create more dangerous conditions, and shares insights from her jiu-jitsu training and her husband's law enforcement background. What self-defense strategies do real estate professionals need beyond technology? This conversation delivers actionable answers that protect both your business and your life.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Discover why traditional agent panic button devices fail (forgotten in cars, visible to perpetrators, expensive subscriptions) and how smartphone integration solves these problems permanently
Master the multi-layer showing security protocols that work before technology activates—client vetting through background checks, meeting unknown buyers publicly first, property perimeter assessments, and exit route planning
Understand how AI monitoring services provide discrete emergency response that appears as normal texts and calls during showings, preventing situations from escalating while ensuring rapid police dispatch
Learn why slower real estate markets increase safety risks for solo agents and how predictable online schedules make realtors vulnerable targets for criminals
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 – Introduction: Why Slower Markets Increase Realtor Risk
03:12 – The Squatter Incident That Inspired SafeAgent Development
10:37 – How SafeAgent Works: AI Emergency Alert System Breakdown
17:06 – The Social Media Paradox: Online Visibility vs Safety
22:28 – Brokerage Safety Standards and Protecting New Agents
28:47 – Comprehensive Safety Protocols Beyond Technology Solutions
32:01 – Entry Strategies and Exit Planning for Property Showings
38:00 – Jiu-Jitsu Training and Building Muscle Memory for Emergencies
42:44 – The Weapon Paradox: Bear Spray, Knives, and Firearms
46:36 – Hidden SafeAgent Features: FBI Crime Data Integration
ABOUT CATHY HICKMAN:
Cathy Hickman is an award-winning realtor with Engel & Völkers Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex and co-creator of SafeAgent, the AI-powered realtor safety technology platform. After 20 years as a high school educator and coach, she transitioned to real estate where a dangerous encounter with squatters revealed critical safety gaps in the industry. Certified as a Military Relocation Professional, New Home Specialist, and Accredited Buyer Representative, Cathy specializes in first-time homebuyers, veterans, relocations, and new construction across Irving, Southlake, Grapevine, Keller, and North Fort Worth.
RESOURCES & LINKS:
SafeAgent Official Website – AI-powered safety platform ($9.99/month):
https://www.mysafeagent.ai
Cathy Hickman Real Estate Services:
https://cathyhickman.evrealestate.com
Contact Cathy Directly:
Email: cathy.hickman@engelvoelkers.com
Connect with Cathy:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cathy.hickman.5680
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realtor.cathyhickman
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathy-hickman-a467a4140
Podcast Website – Access all episodes:
https://www.thetexasrealestateandfinancepodcast.com
Mike Mills Mortgage Tools & Resources:
https://linktr.ee/mikemillsmortgage
September is Realtor Safety Month. Don't show properties alone without protection. This episode could be the most important 50 minutes you invest in your career this year. Subscribe to The Texas Real Estate & Finance Podcast for weekly expert insights on growing your business safely and effectively. Drop a comment below sharing your biggest safety concern as a realtor—let's build a safer industry together. Share this episode with agents in your brokerage who need to hear Cathy's story.
#RealtorSafety #RealEstateSecurity #SafeAgent #RealtorTech #DFWRealEstate
