4 Tips for Home Security When Selling

by: Rob Thomson

When you are selling your home, the idea that your house could be burgled or vandalized might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, there are people out there who pose as buyers in order to gain access to your home and figure out its weak spots for a visit later that night or even several weeks from the time they first look it over. By utilizing some of the following strategies, you can minimize the risk of a home intrusion and theft.

Use a Realtor®

By using a Realtor®, you will ensure that your prospective buyers will first go through someone who will inquire as to their identity and their motives for wanting your home. Since Realtors® can be targets of theft and violence while showing homes themselves, they tend to be cautious when showing homes to anyone, keeping copies of drivers licenses and taking a second agent with them for added safety. This also gives your home more security when it is being shown, as the people touring the property know that there are people watching out for the house and the people representing it.

Do not let strangers into your home on a moment's notice

If someone is serious about purchasing, they will take down the contact information of the Realtor® and leave you in peace. People who try to coerce you into letting them into your home may be really interested in buying, but they might be more interested in stealing or worse. Tell them to contact your agent. Caution your children against letting anyone in who claims that they are there "to see the house".

Less is more in photographs

Before taking pictures or having pictures taken, look critically at each room and remove items that could be an incentive to steal. Examples include your new flatscreen TV and state-of-the-art computer system. Avoid pictures of any family heirlooms and any items you know to be valuable. This not only helps make your home less of a target for thieves; it also helps you avoid a potential buyer saying, "But I loved the chandelier in the picture online!"

Keep your valuables locked up or with you

Valuables - wallets, passports, money, money containers, jewelry, etc. should be in a safe or at least in a place where it takes more than a moment's search to find them. Avoid popular hiding places like the toilet tank or a rubber cabbage. A small safe is a good investment, not only for selling your home, but also for general valuable security. Tell children to put their piggy banks away and any treasured possessions. Most buyers have only the best of intentions, but there are always accidents and people who don't control their children to effect the destruction of a valued object.

Home security is often just common sense. The harder it is to get something without being caught, the less likely people are going to try for it. With sensible supervision of the home, securing of valuables and the avoidance of anything that would catch the eye of a thief, you can make your home and belongings much more secure during home showings.