Tech-driven protection gains steam ahead of Realtor Safety Month

September’s designation as Realtor Safety Month comes as real estate agents face a changing mix of risks — from meeting strangers at vacant homes to working alone more often in an industry reshaped by remote technology. Watson Realty is preparing to roll out its Bond personal security platform to more than 1,000 agents across Florida and Georgia in September, adding the technology to the company’s standard suite of tools rather than making participation optional or charging agents separately. Bill Watson III, president of Watson Realty, said the company’s approach reflects changes in how agents work and protect themselves. “The world shifted with COVID, at least in the real estate industry, to being much more independent and on your own,” Watson told HousingWire. “And even though they’re out there doing it on their own, I don’t want them to feel like they’re on their own. I’m planning to launch it through individual sales meetings with managing brokers. “Most of them don’t have more than, say, 70 agents underneath them, so we can have a very personal touch to introducing it.” The platform combines a mobile app with a 24-hour command center staffed by security agents. Its services i...