Did you know September is Realtor® Safety Month? Annually, our professional organization reminds Realtors just how risky this job can be, and they teach us strategies for personal safety, as well as securing the homes we represent. For our clients, safety is especially important during the open house. Your home will have visitors throughout this event, and you’ll want to be sure your items and information are safe. We prefer to practice safe open houses to minimize any potential for theft.
Here are some tips to help you safeguard your home during an open house!
- Ensure your valuables are out of sight during the listing photos. We know you are proud of the things you’ve worked hard for. Help us help you by keeping your precious items out of sight and out of mind.
- Hide your documents. You’ll want to put away and hide any documents that have personal information such as your contact information and social security number. Bank statements, checkbooks, and mail should be put away.
- Jewelry and antiques should be secured. You don’t want anything of high value out there for people during the open house. “Sticky Fingers” and all that…
- Keys. Do not leave extra car/house keys and garage door openers out.
- Be smart where you tuck items away. Don’t just put items in the most obvious spot – your top desk drawer. Consider tucking them in a special hiding place or in a safe.
- Put away electronics. Don’t forget to put away your smartphones, laptops, tablets and gaming devices.
- Passwords. Hide your passwords from sight. This includes, but is not limited to, computer, banking and wifi passwords.
- Prescriptions and medications. Small bottles are easy to palm, take them with you or lock them up.
- Safeguard photos. While we prefer you remove photos to depersonalize the space, it’s also a safety precaution, too. The public doesn’t need to know how many kids you have or where they go to school.
- Give your Realtor® permission to make signing in non-negotiable. This is our standard protocol. Not only are we able to follow up with attendees to see if they’re interested in making an offer on your home, but keeping track of who comes by and when gives us a list of names in the event something is stolen or someone is harmed.
- Ensure your home is adequately staffed. Big homes are easy to get lost in. On properties with multiple buildings or a sprawling floor plan, we like to have 2 agents on site, one to man the door and first floor, and the second to offer supervised tours
- Lock doors and windows. You can help your agent by securing all buildings and windows in advance of the open house. They will unlock the door they enter through, and then re-secure everything when leaving. If you have a different policy (or don’t have keys to certain doors!) let your agent know.
A lot to think about, right? Keeping these tips in mind will help ensure the safety of your home as well as your agent!