Homeselling Safety Tips

The Spring Selling Season is just around the corner! You have enough to think about without worrying that your home isn’t safe, or that your things may be stolen. Open Houses and showings mean strangers will be in your house. A few safeguards can lessen your worry:

Remove things that matter: Store jewelry, fine art or collectibles with a friend or family member. If that’s not an option, find a place to hide valuables in your home or keep them with you in a suitcase and take it with when you leave. The same applies to personal papers with account numbers and/or social security information. And medicine cabinets are often a target. Buyers will open closets, cabinets, and even drawers. 

Secure your home: Keep doors and windows locked. Prospective buyers will often open windows or doors. Some will even do that to return later to steal things. Others may even visit several times and bring an accomplice to distract the agent. So double-check doors and windows when returning after a showing.

Consider an alarm system: It may seem impractical to install a system when you’ll be moving, but it will not only deter burglars, but may also be a strong selling point.

Make it look like you’re home: If you’re aren’t currently living in the home, think about installing motion sensors or timers to automatically turn on lights. Make arrangements to have your mail forwarded so that it is not piling up at your house. And ensure that the lawn is being taken care of or the snow being removed. 

Reach out to your neighbors: Ask them to keep an eye on your place. Introduce them to your agent so they know things are okay when the agent is on the premises.

By taking these extra precautions, you can feel safe and secure during a home sale process and focus your attention on the goal: getting your home sold! Sellers can find other useful real estate information at www.HomeValuesInLakewood.Info.

Chris Bergin is a licensed real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Lucien Realty and can be contacted at Chris@ChrisBergin.com.

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Volume 12, Issue 5, Posted 11:28 AM, 03.01.2016