Keeping Your Home Safe When Selling
Security issues might not be top of mind when you’re knee deep in the process of putting your home on the market, however, home sellers should take certain precautions to keep themselves and their belongings safe.
According to Florida REALTOR® Melanie Tisdale, the home-sale process, which includes open houses, frequent showings, and an influx of strangers into your home, poses certain risks. However, by taking a few safeguards, says Tisdale, you can put your mind at ease. The easiest solution is to remove valuable jewelry, fine art or collectables beforehand, storing them with a friend or family member. If that’s not an option, Tisdale suggests finding a place to hide valuables within the home—or, consider packing them in a suitcase you pop into the car whenever you leave for a showing. The same consideration should be taken for personal information and paperwork. Filing cabinets that contain documents with account or social security numbers should be securely locked. And, unfortunately, lock up your medicine cabinet as well, a place where people often steal from, says Tisdale. When you return to your home after a showing, make sure that all doors and windows are locked. Prospective buyers will often open windows or doors to make sure they work properly or to see another part of the home. Although it may seem far-fetched, Tisdale reports that there have been incidents where people unlock doors when looking at a home and then go back later to steal things. One unsavory tactic involves two people coming into the home—one who explores rooms and one who distracts the agent. If you’re home is in a high-crime area, consider hiring a security guard or off-duty police officer to keep an eye on your home during the showing. If your home does not have a security system, now may be the time to install one, Tisdale advises. Adding a security system will not only deter burglars but can also be a strong selling point of the house. Also, if you are selling a home in which you’re not currently living, consider installing motion sensors that will automatically turn on lights when it’s dark. You can also put a few lamps on a timer so it appears someone is home when you’re out. Lastly, Tisdale recommends that home sellers enlist their neighbors to help keep an eye on their home, and to introduce the neighbors to your REALTOR® so they are not alarmed when he or she is in your home. |
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