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Make Safety an Open House
Priority |
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An open house
can be a great
marketing tool,
but it also
means exposing
your home and
family to
countless
strangers. Don’t
assume that
every person who
visits your home
is an earnest,
potential
homebuyer. It’s
important to
take security
seriously. Here
are some common
security
measures that
can pull
double-duty,
keeping you and
your family safe
while enhancing
your home’s
marketability: |
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Remove personal items such
as family photographs, your children’s artwork,
calendars that include daily routines and other
items that may reveal the names of your family
members or everyday life. Removing or packing
away these items will not only enhance your
privacy, it will also help keep the potential
homebuyer focused on your home and not your
family. A house that’s been depersonalized shows
better because it’s easier for the buyer to
visualize living in the house.
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Identity theft is a
growing problem, so be sure to remove or lock up
all credit cards, bills, health insurance
information and anything else that contains
personal information like social security
numbers and bank account numbers. Of course,
this step removes clutter from your counters,
maintaining visual appeal.
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Remove or lock up jewelry, cash and other
valuables; firearms and other weapons; and all
prescription medication. |
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Make sure the
house is well-lit and keep all interior and
exterior walkways clear of clutter and other
debris |
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After each showing, take a thorough
walk-through of your house and make sure
all of the doors and windows are shut
and locked, and that no items or
valuables are missing.
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In addition to safeguarding your
property and identity, there are
precautions you should take to protect
yourself if you are present during an
open house. Ideally, your real estate
professional will be representing you
during the open house, so that potential
home buyers feel comfortable snooping
around, opening cupboards and speaking
freely about the home. However, if you
do find that you are in the home alone,
or are selling your home on your own,
consider a few tips from the pros: |
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Never turn your back on a potential
buyer. Instead, let the buyer lead you
through the house. This allows you to
watch the buyer and avoid becoming
cornered or trapped |
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Employ the buddy system. If you must
show the house yourself, enlist the help
of family or friends. This rule is
especially important if the home is
located in an isolated area.
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Have a visitor roster and make sure
everyone who tours your home signs it
and includes their phone number and
address. This will help you keep track
of who is viewing your home |
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Know and have a plan for the fastest
escape route for each part of your home |
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The open house process is just one step
toward selling your home. A real estate
professional can provide you with a
fresh set of eyes and will tour your
home and point out safety measures you
may have overlooked as well as answer
other questions you may have about
selling your home. |
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