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The app that could save your life

By
Real Estate Agent with Jefferson Properties 0225213983

A few weeks ago, after the murder of Beverly Carter, there was lots of chatter about realtor safety, and someone on Active Rain blogged a list of apps for personal safety. I wish I could remember who penned that blog so I could give them a shout out, but alas I don't recall the author.  I did, however, download two of the recommended apps.  One of them I could never get to work (I couldn't load my contacts), but the other one - ASPIRE - turned out to a really effective and interesting tool.

ASPIRE is actually a domestic violence app, so when you search for it in iTunes it's called Aspire News (if you're in an abusive relationship a news app won't tip off your abuser that you have a potential lifeline at your fingertips).  I was at my real estate association's self defense class yesterday and mentioned this app and folks were confused when they searched for it; they weren't expecting a "news" app, so that's important to know if you go searching for it.  I think it works for realtors too, because if you need to use it in an unsafe situation, you won't tip off a creepy client that you're requesting help.

The app looks like a news app with a front page that contains a news feed of top stories, but when you tap on the toolbar three times anywhere within the app it sends a distress signal and exact location to your pre-loaded contacts.  It also begins recording so they can hear what's going on. On the evening that I set up my contact list I entered the cell phone numbers for my husband, sister and mom and "tested" my contact list to see if it worked.  I probably should have told my contacts I was doing that, because at 11 pm they received a siren-like alert followed by a text that said I was in danger and to send assistance to XYZ address (note that the app pinpoints your GPS so it sends an exact location to your contacts).  The alert sound was so loud it got my sister out of bed and to her phone which was on a different floor of the house.  She called me, breathless, to say "ARE YOU OK???"  Sorry, sis!  

I hope none of us ever has to use this app, but it seems like a savvy piece of technology that could potentially save a life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Comments(31)

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Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Jenn, in today's environment you can't be too careful or to prepared! Thanks for the info. Enjoy your day!

Nov 15, 2014 08:27 PM
Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Jenn: I have been using an app like this (bsafe) for the past month and did the same to those I flagged to get my alerts. I got a bunch of calls in succession...it will work if ever needed for real (hopefully not)!

Nov 15, 2014 08:49 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Jenn,

I came over from Kathy's post this morning where she featured your post as one of her "Ah-ha" moments for the week...great choice..thanks for sharing..I liked and subscribed to your post.

Nov 15, 2014 08:51 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

So glad Kathy featured this.  I will share this on facebook so some of the agents I work with can see it.

Nov 15, 2014 09:03 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Thank you for the post. I will bookmark this and share it with others.

Nov 15, 2014 09:07 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

What a great idea to have the app disguised...very clever!  Thanks for sharing the information.

Nov 15, 2014 10:47 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Wow!

Nov 15, 2014 10:47 PM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Interesting post!  I can see why Kathy chose to highlight it this week!

Nov 15, 2014 11:27 PM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Hi Jenn, very interesting app for sure and I am so glad that your first alarm was a false alarm.  I am going to look into this as well and glad that I saw this post on Kathy's Sunday Ah Ha list!

Nov 16, 2014 06:26 AM
Sussie Sutton
David Tracy Real Estate - Houston, TX
David Tracy Real Estate for Buyers & Sellers

That sounds like an app I would like to have! Not only am I going to down load it but I am going to get my daughter to down load it too!

Nov 16, 2014 08:52 AM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Thanks Jenn, this sounds like a great app, I will be sharing with a few people in our office.

 

Nov 16, 2014 01:40 PM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Jenn Hart - sounds like a great app that can surely save the lives! Thanks for sharing.

Nov 16, 2014 01:43 PM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC • Short Sale • Probate

I was thinking that such app would be very helpful. And here it is:) I hope, you can access to it with a locked screen. You never know what can happen when you show the property or have an open house....

Nov 16, 2014 02:13 PM
Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster
Maricopa Real Estate Co - Maricopa, AZ
A Maricopa Agent who Works, Lives & Loves Maricopa

First ...very cool app. Thanks for sharing. Second...picturing your sister I busted up laughing. Lol sonething I would accidentally do to my family as well.

Nov 16, 2014 03:03 PM
Cindy Edwards
RE/MAX Checkmate - Johnson City, TN
CRS, GRI, PMN - Northeast Tennessee 423-677-6677

I can't wait to go check the app out.  Thanks for sharing.

Nov 16, 2014 09:33 PM
Beth and Richard Witt
New York, NY
The best Retired Brokers !!!!

This sounds like a winner and thanks to Kathy I didn't miss it...  I'm going to share it on my Pinterest Board .... Tips for sales agents...

Nov 17, 2014 04:03 AM
Jenn Hart
Jefferson Properties - Richmond, VA
Richmond, VA, REALTOR®, 804-317-7997

Thanks so much for featuring my post, Kathy Streib.  I love your round ups each week!

Nov 17, 2014 09:03 AM
Whitney Watson
First Heritage Mortgage - Henrico, VA

Jenn, I saw your re-blog on Praful's page and came over to comment. That's an awesome tool for realtors and many others too. Good to know it works! Your poor sister!

Nov 19, 2014 02:55 AM
Janis Borgueta
Newburgh, NY
Retired RE Salesperson

I missed this the first time around. I just saw this from Debbie Gartner sharing on Google+ Great find

Jan 08, 2015 09:38 AM
Elyse Berman, PA
LoKation Real Estate - Boca Raton, FL
Boca Raton FL (561) 716-7824

Jenn Hart I missed this the first time around but caught it because Debbie Walsh shared it on Google +.   Looks like a good idea.  Thanks for sharing.

Mar 02, 2015 07:37 PM