What Is FOREWARN? The REALTOR® Safety Tool Every Georgia Agent Should Be Using

Meeting new clients is one of the best parts of being a real estate professional—but it can also be one of the most unpredictable. Whether you're showing a vacant home, hosting an open house, or meeting a prospective buyer for the first time, you should always know who you're meeting before you arrive. That's where FOREWARN comes in.

What Is FOREWARN?

FOREWARN is a proactive safety and lead intelligence tool available as a complimentary benefit to Georgia MLS subscribers. The mobile app helps real estate professionals verify the identity of prospective clients in seconds using as little as a phone number.

Instead of meeting someone with little or no information, FOREWARN provides valuable insights that can help you make informed decisions before a face-to-face appointment.

What Information Can FOREWARN Provide?

Depending on the information available, FOREWARN may allow you to instantly verify:

• Identity, including aliases and age

• Current and previous phone numbers

• Address history

• Nationwide property ownership records

• Financial indicators, such as bankruptcies, liens, judgments, and foreclosures

• Nationwide criminal history searches

The goal isn't to judge potential clients—it's to help REALTORS® better understand who they're meeting and identify situations that may require additional precautions.

Why Should REALTORS® Use It?

Real estate is one of the few professions where meeting strangers is a normal part of the job. We regularly unlock vacant homes, host public open houses, and meet prospective buyers we may have only spoken to over the phone.

Using FOREWARN can help you:

• Verify that a prospect is who they say they are.

• Identify potential safety concerns before an appointment.

• Better protect yourself, your clients, and your sellers.

• Gain confidence when scheduling first-time showings.

• Practice smart, proactive risk management.

Remember: FOREWARN Is Just One Layer of Protection

No safety tool replaces good judgment. Continue following REALTOR® safety best practices, including:

• Meet new clients in a public place whenever possible.

• Let someone know where you'll be and when you expect to finish.

• Verify identification before showing property.

• Keep your phone charged and accessible.

• Trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, leave.

How Do Georgia MLS Members Access FOREWARN?

Georgia MLS subscribers can activate their complimentary FOREWARN account using the same email address associated with their Georgia MLS membership. Once activated, the app is available on both mobile devices and the web.

Final Thoughts

Safety should never be an afterthought in real estate. FOREWARN is one of the most valuable member benefits offered through Georgia MLS because it helps agents make smarter decisions before every showing. It takes only a few seconds to run a search, but those few seconds can provide peace of mind and help create a safer experience for everyone involved. As REALTORS®, protecting our clients is part of the job—but protecting ourselves is just as important.