Midstate woman helps women in real estate stay safe

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) -Nashville has nearly 100 people moving here each day, according to the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce.

This means realtors are busy, which is good for business, but it can also mean more crimes against them.

It’s a conversation Valarie Troya has with local real estate agents. Troya is a former U.S. Navy veteran and the owner of ‘Safe Women Series.’ She said she teaches people how to both mentally and physically protect themselves.

“You’re in a house you don’t know. You’re with people you don’t really know, and it just sets you up to be vulnerable,” Troya said.

Troya offers safety classes specifically for women in real estate.

Lindy Vestal has been in real estate for more than two decades and said the more homes there are, the more likely an agent could be a victim of a violent crime.

“The more inventory we have, the more open houses that we have, the more availability there are for those homes to be open,” Vestal said.

According to the 2023 National Real Estate Association survey, 22% of agents said they experienced a situation that made them fear for their safety or the safety of their personal information.

Some female real estate agents, like Wendy Kelley, said they felt compelled to learn how to protect themselves.

“I don’t necessarily want to carry a firearm everywhere I go,” Kelley said. “Valarie has some great tools. She’s got a great baton or a small knife, things that I feel like I hold you know close to me.”

Both Valarie and Vestal said they’re working with brokerages on creating safety plans and procedures to better protect their agents.

Some associations and brokerages do offer tools – like facial recognition apps for violent crime offenders.

The next real estate safety class is on April 25 at Magnolia Acres in Columbia, TN. The class is three hours long and gives you a continuing education credit.

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