When your real estate agent schedules an open house, you have responsibilities as the home owner to prepare for strangers walking through your home in groups. Although the majority of open houses are successful and are free from criminal activity, here is a list of things you can do as a home seller to protect your home and contents.
- Never picture anything of value in listing photos – Before permitting your listing agent to photo your home, you should remove anything of substantial value that appear in plain sight.
- Hide bills and personal mail – Remove any letters or documents that have any personal identifiable information and contact information such as bank statements, credit card bills, paystubs, etc.
- Remove checkbooks and bank forms – Don’t leave your checkbooks or other bank forms in plain sight or in any drawers that are unlocked.
- Lock up or remove jewelry and antiques – You’re going to have to pack everything when you sell, so it’s best to pack up and remove expensive antiques prior to listing your home. You can rent a small storage unit short-term for this purpose, or store them at a family member or friends house that you trust and is secure.
- Hide extra house keys, car keys, and garage door openers – Don’t give anyone the ability to access your home by making it easy for them.
- Don’t hide things in top dresser drawers – It’s the first place thieves will look.
- Hide smartphones, tablets and laptops.
- Shut off desktop computers and lock them with a password.
- Hide TV, computer and wifi passwords.
- Lock up your prescriptions – Sad to say, but this is one of the biggest areas of theft. Easily concealable by thieves in a pocket or purse, your prescriptions can be nabbed in a couple seconds.
- Take videos or photos to record what was in each room before the open house.
- Make sure to use a sign-in sheet before the buyers tour the home.
- Lock windows and doors after. Whether you hold your own open house or through a Realtor, after everyone leaves check every window and door to insure they are locked. A open house thief can unlock a window in your home for easy entry later. Ask a neighbor to check if you can’t be there yourself.
- Remove all family photos. This should be done prior to listing the home anyway, as part of staging your home for buyers.