Fellow Virginia Real Estate Broker,

By now you may have heard about the tragic attack on REALTOR^® Lenora Farrington at an Open House near Smith Mountain Lake on June 20. Ms. Farrington was viciously attacked by a stranger who entered the house. She was able to call 911, was rushed to the hospital, and required intensive care treatment. This horrific act is a reminder of the vulnerable position REALTORS^® are in when serving the needs of their clients.

I strongly encourage you to review the safety policies of your company and communicate these with the members of your firm. The National Association of REALTORS^® has provided many resources through the REALTOR^® Safety Program.

While we may not be able to prevent all dangerous situations, as brokers, we need to keep the safety of our licensees a top priority through our company policies and continuous education.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Ms. Farrington for strength as she works through the healing process. A GoFundMe page has been organized by a friend of hers to help support her through this time. You may make a contribution here.

We are facing many challenges during this time, and the safety of our members is always the top priority. I wish you and your firm all the best.

Learn more about REALTOR^® safety here.

Sincerely,

Kemper Funkhouser, 2020 Virginia REALTORS^® President