Security Tips For Sellers

Thinking of selling your home by owner?  Below are some tips that you will want to follow to protect yourself and your family. 

Also when listing with a Realtor, you still need to be safe, but some of the below items are handled by the Realtor.

 

• For your own safety, never set an appointment with anyone to see your home unless they have given you their name and number and you have called back to verify that number. An easy way to do this is to say. “Let me check with my husband/wife for the best time and I will call you back.” Use this method even if you are not married.  If using a Realtor a showing service will contact you to set the showings as opposed to the buyer directly.
• Never let potential buyers know your schedule. Don’t ever tell them when you won’t be at home, when your spouse won’t be home, when you pick up the kids, when you work, when you will be on vacation, etc.  If using a Realtor you still need to be careful of this one, put away calendars that reflect your schedule that way no one knows when you will be home or not.
• Never give a caller information about your home’s security such as deadlock bolts, security systems, and so forth. When working with a Realtor, typically other Realtors will show your home, so only Realtors will get this info, & with today’s electronic lockboxes we’ll know who opened the box to get the key.
• Always have a back-up plan when you allow strangers into your home, especially if you have children. Have a neighbor look out for you until the lookers have gone.  Typically when listed with a Realtor, a Realtor will bring the potential buyer thru.
• Never let a stranger into your home without seeing some identification. If the person says he/she is a real estate agent, ask for a card, then call his/her office to verify the information if you don’t recognize the person.   Even if listed with a Realtor, only let those in that have made an appointment.
• Keep a log of everyone who has looked at your house. Get their name, telephone number, address, car description, tag number, and any additional information that could be helpful in the event of a future burglary. All of these people would be suspects.  If listed with a Realtor, they will have the info needed for each client they show the property too.
• If you make a flyer to advertise your home, don’t include any information that might breech security. 
• Remove from sight all valuables, including guns, jewelry, silverware, and collections. Recently, there was an incident in South Florida where a couple was going around with a real estate agent and stealing things from houses they visited. The couple actually stole over $150,000 worth of valuables. If possible, screen all potential buyers via a thorough pre-qualification process before you let anyone into your home.
• Never leave strangers alone, and watch their every move while they’re in your home. One of the latest scams, according to Real Estate Today magazine, involves prescription drugs. A nice-looking, clean-cut couple will make an appointment to view your house. Once inside, one of them will ask to use the bathroom and will search for prescription drugs while inside. There is a huge market for such drugs. So make certain your prescription drugs are well-hidden before anyone looks at your home.

Technorati Tags: indianapolis area real estate,safety tips when selling your home