Safe House:

Safeguarding your home during its sale

When one thinks about it, the thought of allowing strangers entrance and access to one’s home is never a pleasant or comforting thought; even when your house isn’t going to be your home for very much longer. So when attempting to sell your home on today’s market, you might at first be reluctant to host personal showings of your home as well as open houses; those events in which you open the doors to your residence to guests interested in seeing, touring and perhaps buying it.

The fact remains, however, that—before they buy your house—folks indeed will have to see it first. So, while you might have to allow complete and total strangers access to your home, you can take certain measures to safeguard this home, its possessions, and—for that matter—even its residents.

1. Lock up your valuables. Well in advance of your open houses and showings, be sure to secure all of your jewels, cash and fine collectibles in safes, locked drawers and sealed cabinets; preferably out of sight of visitors, so that they won’t even be tempted to swipe your superior possessions.

2. Apply your agent. Allow your real estate agent to coordinate all aspects of your home sale; planning and hosting all showings and open houses and presiding on site over all of these happenings. He/she can ensure that only those seriously interested in buying your house can gain access to its interior; also serving as an extra set of watchful eyes on the days of the showings themselves.

3. Apply yourself. If possible, and if your agent recommends it, you yourself should be on site at all planned showings and open houses; helping watch over your home and valuables as you greet visitors and answer their questions regarding their house and property.

4. Listen to your instincts. If the behavior of any guest starts to make you feel suspicious or uncomfortable, alert your real estate right away. They can help you keep a sharp eye on the individual, and even to ask them to leave the premises if the need arises.

5. Leave no room unmonitored. Assign either a real estate agent or a member of your family to watch over and guard each room in your model home; striking a casual stance as they watch over all activity that transpires in this room on the day of your showing or open house. And if you happen to own security or video surveillance systems, put them to good use; videotaping each showing to help ensure that it runs smoothly. In that way, if anything goes missing, you can check the film to pinpoint any and all possible suspects.

6. If possible, morph any showing of your home into a guided tour; personally leading guests through the house, from room to room, to show off your spectacular residence; while at the same time keeping track of their whereabouts and doings.

7. If you still don’t feel comfortable with the concept of allowing strangers access to your house, then you might want to consider other methods of showing your home to them; shooting video tours, taking photos, and writing vivid descriptions that can show and sell it!