In an industry where meeting new people is part of the job, agent safety has always been an under-discussed priority. This month, the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® took a major step forward by partnering with FOREWARN, a real-time identity verification service now available to more than 22,000 real estate professionals across the state (according to Yahoo Finance).
It’s a practical upgrade—and one that fits the way agents work today.
Why This Matters Right Now
Real estate professionals often find themselves in vulnerable situations:
- Meeting brand-new clients alone
- Hosting evening or early-morning showings
- Walking through vacant homes
- Conducting remote or short-notice appointments
Most of these interactions are perfectly safe. But the reality is simple: agents don’t always know who they’re meeting. FOREWARN helps address that gap by enabling REALTORS® to quickly verify a prospect’s identity with information like a phone number. This allows you to enter a showing with greater confidence and more context—exactly what many agents have been requesting.
And it’s not solely about agent safety. This tool also provides extra reassurance for clients. Buyers and sellers value knowing their agent is employing a modern, professional safety process behind the scenes.
How FOREWARN Helps Protect Agents
The service allows agents to:
- Instantly verify a prospect’s identity
- Check for potential red flags, such as inconsistent information
- Confirm whether the contact information matches a real person
- Approach every meeting with better awareness
Think of it as a digital “trust but verify” step before you meet someone. It doesn’t replace intuition, professionalism, or standard safety practices—but it strengthens them.
A Competitive Edge for REALTORS®
Safety isn’t just an internal concern—it’s also an image-builder.
When you can confidently say your business uses identity verification for every new prospective client, you’re sending a message:
✔ You take professionalism seriously
✔ You follow modern best practices
✔ You have systems in place that protect everyone involved
For clients choosing between multiple agents, that level of preparedness stands out. It’s responsible, proactive, and aligned with the industry's evolving needs.
How to Integrate This Into Your Daily Business
If you’re a Massachusetts REALTOR®, here’s how to put the new tool to good use:
- Check with Your Brokerage
See whether your brokerage has already activated access, and confirm how your team will use the tool. If they haven’t set it up yet, ask when they plan to roll it out.
- Update Your Listing Presentation
Add a simple line explaining that you use identity-verification tools to protect clients, their property, and yourself. It strengthens your pitch and shows you’re running a modern, well-organized operation.
- Refresh Your Buyer and Seller Packets
A short safety section adds transparency and builds trust. Clients appreciate knowing you have a thoughtful process behind every interaction.
- Share the Update in Your Marketing
A blog post, quick newsletter blurb, or social media snippet—something as simple as
“Here’s how we keep showings safe and secure for everyone.”
It can go a long way in educating and reassuring your audience.
- Consider a Short Video Walk-Through
A behind-the-scenes look at how you verify new prospects is an easy, approachable way to build credibility—especially on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube.
The Bottom Line
This new partnership between the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® and FOREWARN is more than just a tech update—it’s a change in how agent safety is managed across the state. It provides REALTORS® with a quick, dependable way to verify their meeting contacts, promotes safer showings, and boosts the professionalism clients experience.
As the real estate industry continues to develop, tools like this are likely to become standard. For now, Massachusetts agents have a head start—and an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to doing business the right way.
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