You are trying to sell your property and have decided to hold an Open House. While an open house can be a great sales tool, but it also exposes you to numerous unfamiliar people for the first time. Stay safe by practicing these guidelines.

I would say the number one tip is to hold the open house with someone. As they say “there is safety in numbers”. If you can get a spouse, neighbor, someone to sit with you through the open house hours. Not all agents, buyers and sellers are who they say they are. Predators come in all shapes and sizes. We tell our children not to talk to strangers. You need to be aware of who your are talking to also. If you have a gut instinct something isn’t right, follow your gut.

Strangers will be walking through your home during showings or open houses. Hide any valuables in a safe place. For security’s sake, remember to remove keys, credit cards, jewelry, crystal, furs and other valuables from the home or lock them away during showings. Also remove prescription drugs. Some seemingly honest people wouldn’t mind getting their hands on a bottle of Viagra, uppers or downers.

Call the local police department and ask them to have a squad car drive by during your open-house hours.

• Check your cell phone’s strength and signal prior to the open house. Have emergency numbers programmed on speed dial. Make sure your cell phone is fully charged.

• Determine several “escape” routes that you can use in case of an emergency. Make sure all deadbolt locks are unlocked to facilitate a faster escape.
• Turn on the lights and open the curtains. These are not only sound safety procedures, but also great marketing tactics.

• If you were to escape by the back door, could you escape from the backyard? Frequently, high fences surround yards that contain swimming pools or hot tubs.
• When prospective buyers begin to arrive, jot down their car descriptions, license numbers and physical descriptions. (In theory this is great practice, but you may not have time if several buyers show up at once).  At an open house, be alert to the pattern of visitors’ arrivals, especially near the end of showing hours. In some areas, a group of thieves will show up together near the end of the open house and, while a string of “potential buyers” distracts the seller, the rest of the group walks through the house, stealing any valuables they come across.

• When showing the house, always walk behind the prospect. Direct them; don’t lead them. Say, for example, “The kitchen is on your left,” and gesture for them to go ahead of you.
• Notify a friend or a relative that you will be calling in every hour on the hour. And if you don’t call, they are to notify the police immediately.
• Inform a neighbor that you will be showing the house and ask if he or she would keep an eye and ear open for anything out of the ordinary.
• DON’T leave personal information like mail or bills out in the open where anyone can see it. Be sure to lock down your computer and lock up your laptop and any other expensive, easy-to-pocket electronics, like iPods, before your showing.
• You are responsible for your pets. If possible, animals should be removed during showings. Be aware that buyers and agents are sometimes attacked, and the owner will be held liable. Maybe you have a dog, cat or bird that isn’t allowed outside. Accidents happen. You wouldn’t want to find your pet out in the middle of the street.

Finally, whether after an open house or a standard showing, make sure that all doors and windows are locked. Thieves commonly use open houses to scout for valuables and possible points of entry, then return afterward.

I hope these Open House Safety Tips For Home Sellers help keep you aware and safe. As always, if I may be of service, don’t hesitate to contact me.