When Safety Becomes the Story: A Real-Life Lesson from an Open House
In this powerful episode of Talk Real Estate Roundtable, Sharon McNamara, Broker & Owner of Boston Connect Real Estate, shared a firsthand experience that reminded every real estate professional and homeowner just how important safety is in this industry. What started as a typical fall Saturday open house turned into a real-world wake-up call about protecting yourself, your clients, and their homes.
A Routine Open House Takes a Turn
Sharon began the day as she always does, organized, professional, and ready to showcase her client’s beautiful home. But when a man entered the property through an unexpected door, things quickly took a strange turn.
Moments later, Sharon discovered him rifling through a dresser drawer in the in-law suite. Trusting her instincts, she immediately confronted him and called for assistance.
“My job is to protect my client’s home. I take on that responsibility as if it were my own,” Sharon explained.
Thankfully, Sharon’s husband, Mark, was nearby as he often is during open houses and the situation was de-escalated safely. The police were called, statements were taken, and no one was harmed. But the experience left Sharon and her co-host Melissa reflecting on how easily agents can become vulnerable when opening homes to the public.
Safety Isn’t Just Common Sense, It’s a Strategy
As real estate professionals, open houses are part of the job. But as Sharon and Melissa discussed, the combination of public access, personal property, and unfamiliar faces can present unexpected risks.
Here are a few of the safety takeaways they shared:
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Never host alone if possible. Having a partner, team member, or even a friend with you provides both security and accountability.
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Arrive early and secure all entry points. Check that all doors, windows, and connecting spaces are locked or monitored.
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Create a sign-in process and enforce it. Everyone entering should provide a name and contact method before touring the home.
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Trust your instincts. If something feels “off,” it probably is. It’s always better to step away and call for assistance than to assume everything is fine.
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Communicate your location. Always let someone know where you are and what time your open house ends.
Sharon emphasized that agents have to balance their duty to market and promote listings with a responsibility to ensure safety for everyone involved sellers, buyers, and themselves.
Homeowners Have a Role Too
Safety during open houses isn’t just an agent’s concern it’s a homeowner’s too. Sharon shared that before every open house, she walks through each room to make sure valuables are tucked away, personal items are removed, and the home is secure.
“I’ve seen luxury watches sitting in open boxes, personal mail on counters, and even medications in plain view. It’s my job to make sure those things are out of sight,” she said.
For sellers, preparing your home for an open house means more than cleaning and staging it also means protecting your privacy and personal belongings.
A Broader Industry Message
Melissa highlighted that September is Realtor Safety Month but the conversation shouldn’t end when the calendar turns. Every agent should have a safety plan in place year-round.
The National Association of Realtors offers training, webinars, and checklists focused on Realtor safety, including ways to stay alert during showings and strategies for handling unexpected encounters.
As Sharon noted, “After 24 years in the business, I’ve never experienced anything quite like this. It’s a reminder that even with experience, you can’t let your guard down.”
Moving Forward with Awareness and Confidence
The incident was unsettling, but it served as an important reminder of how crucial safety awareness is in real estate. Sharon’s quick thinking and professionalism ensured the situation ended safely and sparked a conversation that could help protect others.
At Boston Connect Real Estate, our agents are not only trained in marketing, negotiation, and client service they’re also equipped with the tools and awareness needed to conduct business safely and responsibly.
Final Thoughts
Selling a home is a team effort built on trust, professionalism, and care. As Sharon and Melissa shared on this episode, part of that care means making safety a non-negotiable priority.
Whether you’re an agent preparing for your next open house or a homeowner planning to sell, remember: a safe showing is a successful showing.
Listen to the full episode of Talk Real Estate Roundtable on WATD 95.9 FM or wherever you stream your podcasts.
Visit bostonconnect.com to learn more about our team, listings, and services across Boston’s South Shore and beyond.
