Don’t become a crime victim when you show your home to potential buyers
I came across this article and wanted to “pass the information on” to you. I received it from the California Association of Realtors. It discusses the possible dangers involved with Open Houses, or opening your home to a stranger if someone knocks on your door and asks to see your home which is for sale.
In pre-Internet days, Open Houses were one of the only ways prospective buyers could view homes. That is NOT the case at this time. Today, over 87% of the buyers are viewing homes on the Internet BEFORE they look for a Realtor. With the availability of Virtual Tours, buyers can browse through all the rooms, including the outside of the house, with the click of a mouse! They can save time and gas by “shopping ahead of time” without all the hassle.
Safety should always be a top concern for both real estate agents and home sellers. While holding an open house and allowing potential home buyers to tour the property may be an effective means of selling a home in the past, home sellers should be aware of the risks involved in doing so today!
MAKING SENSE OF THE STORY
- While most criminals will seek small items and anything they can fit into their pockets, sometimes these “buyers” are actually scoping the home for a future burglary.
- According to a safety expert who has worked with the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and other groups, first and foremost, people should trust their instincts. If someone or something is making one uncomfortable, be extra alert and extremely careful.
- If a potential buyer or unknown agent arrives at the house unexpectedly, the homeowner should tell him to call their agent to schedule an appointment. Never let them into your home under these circumstances.
- Before allowing anyone to enter the house, all lights should be turned on and all blinds, shades, and curtains opened. Homes are safer for showing when someone outside can see inside.
- If you still want an open house, take caution. Homeowners should remove all valuables, including jewelry, artwork, and electronic equipment.
- Additionally, money, mail, bank statements, credit cards and keys should never be kept lying around, or even in a drawer with easy access.
- Prescription drugs should be kept in locked cabinets, to prevent anyone from stealing them or using the information on the label.
- Professional burglars often linger in rooms, looking for items they can dispose of quickly. They also search for ways to get in and out, scouting possible escape routes and checking for security devices. Couples up to no good often split up so one can check out the house and its belongings, while the other keeps the agent and/or seller occupied.
As I read this article, I had to wonder why in this day and age of the Internet; a homeowner would be willing to expose themselves to these possibilities. It’s much safer to hire a Realtor who knows how to effectively market property on the Internet, like Nancy Hankin, who’s been successfully selling homes in the Palm Springs Desert Area for 19 years! Just pick up that phone and give Nancy a call or email me. For more blogs on Home Buying in Palm Desert CA click here.
IMPORTANT: If you or someone you know is interested in buying or selling a home in the Palm Desert Area, try searching properties on the same Desert Area MLS Realtor’s use, or give me a call….or visit my website at Palm Springs Homes and Estates. I will be happy to give you or your referral my “red carpet service.” After the sale, I will send you a $50 Gift Certificate towards dinner in a fabulous Palm Springs Area Restaurant so you can celebrate!
Brought to You By Your Favorite Realtor,
Nancy Hankin
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