The Hidden Dangers of Being a Real Estate Agent
By James Walker – Associated Broker, Keller Williams Realty | Walker Texas Team – San Marcos
I’m going to be completely honest with you—because this is something most people in real estate won’t say out loud.
This job can be dangerous.
Not just for agents.
For buyers too.
If you’re thinking about buying a home, buying land, selling a home, or becoming a real estate agent anywhere in Central Texas or the Texas Hill Country, you need to understand what really happens in this business.
I’ve been doing this for a long time across Hays County, Comal County, Guadalupe County, Caldwell County, and Gonzales County, and I’ve seen situations that most people never hear about.
Real estate is one of the only professions where you are consistently meeting people you don’t know, stepping onto property you don’t control, and often doing it alone.
That combination creates risk.
And that’s not just my opinion—it’s backed by data.
According to industry reports, tens of thousands of real estate professionals are victims of crime each year, and nearly 44% of agents say they’ve experienced situations where they feared for their safety. You can read more here:
https://www.lirealtor.com/news/member-news/view/2024/09/16/september-is-realtor-safety-month
and here:
https://www.realtyline.us/2024/09/16/realtor-safety-month-prioritizing-the-well-being-of-real-estate-professionals/
There are also documented cases showing that around 30,000 agents per year experience crimes ranging from harassment and theft to assault—and even homicide in extreme cases:
https://www.aetv.com/articles/real-estate-agent-murders
One of the biggest takeaways from all of this is simple:
These situations are often not random—they are targeted.
Criminals understand exactly what we do.
Why This Applies to Buyers in Central Texas Too
This is where I want to shift your perspective—especially if you’re a buyer looking in San Marcos, New Braunfels, Canyon Lake, Wimberley, Kyle, Buda, Seguin, Luling, Gonzales, Martindale, or Fischer.
Because this is not just an “agent problem.”
If you decide to call a listing agent directly, meet a seller on your own, or walk land or property without representation, you are stepping into the exact same environment we as agents are trained to navigate.
The difference is—you don’t have the systems, experience, or safeguards in place.
And I’ve seen exactly how that can go wrong.
True Story – A Real Dangerous Experience For A Buyer
This is not hypothetical.
This happened to me right here in Central Texas.
I had a listing involving San Marcos River Front property in Fentress, Texas, just outside of San Marcos and near Martindale and Luling in Guadalupe County.
At first, it looked like a typical land listing. But over time, I started noticing behavior from the seller that wasn’t just difficult—it was unstable. There were signs of substance abuse, erratic communication, and unpredictable behavior.
As agents, we deal with all types of personalities, so initially you try to manage it.
But then everything changed.
I was contacted by a game warden from Guadalupe County who informed me that a family—including children—had gone out to walk the San Marcos River Front property that I had listed for sale.
They did not contact me.
They did not have an agent.
They did not schedule an appointment.
They simply showed up.
And the seller literally shot at them!
Let that sink in.
A family went out to walk property in Fentress, Texas—and ended up being shot at.
They unknowingly stepped into a dangerous situation because and did not go through the proper procedures.
Thankfully, no one was hurt.
But it could have ended very differently.
That moment changed how I operate as a broker, how I train agents, and how I advise buyers across San Marcos, New Braunfels, Canyon Lake, Wimberley, Kyle, Buda, Seguin, Luling, Gonzales, and surrounding Central Texas markets.
I talk about that full experience here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-24yTsTwwK4
Situations like that are exactly why the real estate process exists.
Why Hiring the Right Team Matters
This is why I take safety seriously—for both agents and clients.
At Walker Texas Team, I focus on training, structure, and awareness—not just transactions. My goal is to keep agents as safe as possible while also protecting you, the buyer, throughout the entire process.
Whether you’re buying land in Gonzales County, a home in Kyle or Buda, or waterfront property out at Canyon Lake, safety is always part of the equation.
You can learn more about how we operate here:
https://walkertxteam.com
Forms and Paperwork Are Necessary
Why the IABS Form Matters in Texas
Before any real estate conversation becomes substantive, agents are required to provide the Information About Brokerage Services (IABS) form.
You can view it directly here:
https://www.trec.texas.gov/information-about-brokerage-services-form
This document explains the different types of relationships you can have with a broker in Texas, including buyer representation, seller representation, and intermediary relationships.
It also makes it clear that written agreements are expected as part of a professional real estate relationship.
This applies whether you are buying in San Marcos, New Braunfels, Canyon Lake, Wimberley, Kyle, Buda, Seguin, Luling, Gonzales, Martindale, or Fischer, or anywhere across Central Texas and the Hill Country.
This form is not just a disclosure.
It is the foundation for how representation works—and how both buyers and agents are protected.
Why the Buyer Representation Agreement Matters
The next step is the Buyer Representation Agreement, which you can find here:
https://www.trec.texas.gov/agency-information/contracts
This agreement outlines the duties an agent must perform, the responsibilities the buyer has, and the expectations for communication and representation.
More importantly, it creates structure—and structure creates safety.
Once that agreement is in place, we are no longer casually meeting.
There is a defined process.
There is accountability.
There is verification before anyone steps onto a property.
Whether that is a home in Kyle or Buda, acreage in Caldwell County or Gonzales County, or waterfront property along the San Marcos River or Canyon Lake, the process matters.
That is completely different from someone driving out and walking property on their own.
Real Agents Who Lost Their Lives
This is the part of the business that doesn’t get talked about enough—but it should.
Sarah Anne Walker
She was hosting an open house when someone posing as a buyer attacked her.
Andrew VonStein
News story: Suspect in Ohio real estate slaying arrested
He was showing a home when he was targeted and killed.
Vivian Martin
News story: Four-year court ordeal for family of slain real estate agent ends today | Vindy Archives
She met someone she believed was a buyer. It ended in tragedy.
Brenda Wilburn
News story: Arrest Made in Murder of Tennessee Real Estate Broker
She went to work and never made it home.
When you look at these cases, the pattern is always the same.
A meeting.
A showing.
A private environment.
How I Protect My Agents and Clients Across Central Texas
At Walker Texas Team, safety is built into everything we do.
We don’t just focus on production—we focus on preparation.
We verify who we are working with.
We structure meetings properly.
We communicate before every showing.
We watch for behavioral red flags.
And just as important, we are willing to walk away from situations that don’t feel right.
Because no deal in San Marcos, New Braunfels, Canyon Lake, Wimberley, Kyle, Buda, Seguin, Luling, Gonzales, Martindale, or Fischer is worth risking your safety.
If you’re looking for guidance, representation, or a team that takes this seriously, you can learn more here:
https://walkertxteam.com
Final Thoughts
I love this business.
It has created incredible opportunities for me and the people I work with.
But I respect it too much to pretend it doesn’t come with risks.
Because I’ve seen what can happen.
And I’ve experienced situations that could have ended very differently.
To the agents who didn’t make it home—we remember you, we honor you, and we carry those lessons forward every single day.
If You’re Buying, Selling, or Considering Real Estate in Central Texas
Don’t go at this alone.
Whether you’re looking in San Marcos, New Braunfels, Canyon Lake, Wimberley, Kyle, Buda, Martindale, Fischer, Seguin, Luling, or Gonzales, having the right representation matters.
Visit:
https://walkertxteam.com
Or Call:
512-396-7325
And let’s make sure you navigate this process the right way—and more importantly—
safely.
