Real estate professionals are often exposed to risks as they interact with clients who, more often than not, are complete strangers. From seeing prospective clients in a suggested public place, meeting them at a vacant property, running out to show your own listing or showing properties to these new buyers, all of these spell imminent danger. But the good news is that there is an app that will accompany an agent whenever and wherever he needs to perform his tasks - Companion.
Companion is a communication app that was designed by five students of the University of Michigan .Their purpose in coming up with the app was to protect students who walk in campuses late at night. The app enables you to send your present location and final destination through a text message to a family member, a friend or any person of your choice who will act as your "companion". The recipient who will open that text message can monitor your progression on a map and notifications can be easily sent to them if you feel that you are not safe or you would want them to call the police.
The best among Companion's features is Smart Triggers. Once you are pushed or you start running, perhaps to escape from a risky situation, the app will recognize the change and will ask if you are in good condition. If you fail to respond within 15 seconds, the app will alert the people you have selected as your companions for your trip or activity. These features make Companion an ideal app for real estate professionals as it is a small thing that can do wonders to enhance your safety. The app comes in iOS and Android versions and has registered tens of thousands downloads already. With Companion, you need not attend to your duties alone again.
The proliferation of real estate safety apps started this year, in the wake of the kidnapping and killing of Beverly Carter, an agent from Arkansas. She met an unknown buyer alone at a deserted property. A few days later, her dead body was found in a shallow grave.
