As a Realtor we all learn safety & security is utmost important
for us, do we educate our clients about the same?
Our seller may be first time seller or may have sold couple of homes in
their lives. They are excited if someone wants to see their home since
they are motivated sellers. I have educated sellers at every listing
appointment " If someone rang the
door bell and wanted to see the home since they were in the neighborhood
looking for purchasing the home do not let the stranger inside your
home"
If they are home or working from home please do not
open the door and invite a stranger into your home.
So
what you can do as a seller:
- If the person at the door claims to be a Realtor please have them use
the lock box key to access the property.
- If they are just potential buyer who saw your sign and was curious to
preview the home, please have them come with their Realtor or have your
Realtor talk to them.
- Don't buy with a fake business card.
- Remember only licensed Realtors have the key to the lockbox.
Couple years back
similar incident had happened to one of my client, whose teenager
daughter was home alone. I had explained them to teach their kids not to
be inside the home when someone is showing the home and what do if some
rang the door. Having prepared my clients of this unknown their
daughter did not let a stranger come inside their home. She called her
parents & they contacted me. Seeing no response the person at the
door left.
How many times I have shown home where I have rang the door bell and
families has let me and my buyers inside. Its scares me how people can
easily trust others.
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate
TIMELY! I had to have just this conversation over the weekend with a seller of mine. Someone had come to the door (drive by and no agent) and wanted to see the home. She let them in - WHAT????? Thank goodness nothing happened but the what if's......this is a fantastic post and definitely worthy of a feature, Ritu!
Jun 21, 2010 05:33 AM
Samson Properties - Chantilly, VA
Northern Virginia,Washington DC & Maryland Realtor
Thanks Leesa, I think its part of our responsibility to educate our seller and not just our buyer.
Jun 21, 2010 06:06 AM
The Master's Key Realty LLC -Windsor, CT - HARTFORD COUNTY - Windsor, CT
Broker/Realtor, ABR, CRS,GRI, PSCS, SFR, Notary Pu
Good thoughts Ritu, I also regularly remind my clients that they should never show their house to someone just knocking on their door...even if that person says they are an agent or has a business card saying so. I give them a short stack of business cards at the time of the listing, for them to give to anyone who indicates an interest in seeing their home. I also remind them that when they give my card to someone knocking on their door, or someone at work that says they might be interested, I will make sure that person is pre-qualified for purchase BEFORE they come into the home...as they should be!
Jun 21, 2010 07:21 AM
Sine & Monaghan Realtors, Real Living - Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
Providing the very best of service to Sellers and
Good information. All Sellers should follow your advice to maintain their safety while listing their homes for sale.
Jun 21, 2010 08:27 AM
Samson Properties - Chantilly, VA
Northern Virginia,Washington DC & Maryland Realtor
Lisa, I have provided cards to my clients or a brochure of the home so they can contact me.
Thanks Tom for your comment.
Jun 22, 2010 06:50 AM
Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate
Ritu - this is a good post and you never know who is knocking on the door. And some people are very forward with trying to view a house - or so they say!
Jun 27, 2010 04:10 AM
Rainmaker
1,030,245
1,030,245
Ritu Desai 703-625-4949
Northern Virginia,Washington DC & Maryland Realtor
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