Home Selling Dilemma: Set Alarm or No?

Smart phones and alarm systems have made this issue sooo much easier!  No more accidentally setting off the alarm and waiting for the police to show up so you can explain (hopefully).  Homeowners can control their alarm systems from their phones, which takes some liablity off the agent, especially if they never gave you the code.

Elizabeth, I have set off an alarm before and it was the most ear peircing, wake-up-the-next-county loud and obnoxious sound I have ever heard...but we learn.  When I listed that same house years later the seller gave me the code, and I was able to disarm it before each showing - warning the agents that I would arm it again when they left...just in case they decided to go back later for a second look! They do make showing/selling a house a little more stressful.

Hi Elizabeth- I understand why a homeowner would want their alarm on but it might make it harder to show. I was an agent for 1 year 30 years ago and I will always remember a listing where the alarm was on. I entered through the front door but the only control panel was at the back of the house by the back kitchen door. I looked like Tom Cruise in Risky Business trying to go across the floors to disarm it. (although I had all my clothes on.)

Elizabeth, love it when the alarm is not disclosed and goes off.   I usually call the listing agent RIGHT AWAY, but often times they don't answer.   I try to encourage my Sellers to turn them off for showings.

Hi Elizabeth... I hate getting instructions from Showing Time for alarms... they are never truly complete and it's always a hassle to run around a house looking for the alarm system. Fortunately, here in Charlotte I almost never come across a home that sets its alarms during the day... and I never set my own unless we are both out of town or my huband is travelling and then I set it at night.