Pro-Tips: Open House Security
Open houses: Are they effective? Are you missing out on vital exposure by not hosting one? What are the odds you will sell your home this way? All of these questions are up for debate, but none are questions that worry me. What makes me nervous about hosting an open house is the threat of theft.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m more than happy to host an open house as they can be great exposure for me. (Many of the people that attend an open house are in fact people that plan to buy or sell a home in the next 12 months.) All the same, I'd rather wait until my clients have moved out before hosting. That's just my approach but theft is a very real problem at open houses and small valuables are, quite literally, up for grabs.
“But Amy! My agent has scheduled an open house for this weekend!” you say.
Fear not, dear readers. There are a few very simple steps you can take to keep your valuables safe.
Take the small stuff. Take small valuables with you such as jewelry, prescription medications, and small electronic devices. These items are prime targets and they are simply too easy to sneak out. Hiding them in a drawer is not good enough as that’s the first place a thief will look. It’s also not uncommon for open house attendees to open drawers and closets as they inspect the storage spaces of your house.
Computer security. Take a moment before you leave the house to ensure that all of your computers are either turned off or have their screen locks activated. You don’t want someone to simply wiggle the mouse and have access to any passwords, files, accounts, photos (and who knows what else) that are saved on your computer. Also make sure your password is not “password” as that is just asking for trouble but more on that topic another day….
Keys. Don’t make it easy for thieves to gain entry to your house at a later date by leaving spare keys or garage door openers laying around the house. The same goes for any key-pad passwords you may have written down.
Firearms. I feel like this one goes without saying but I have had clients in the past that stored small firearms in drawers all over the house. While your house is on the market, and particularly during an event as public as an open house, ensure all weapons are either removed from the house or at the very least, locked away safely and out of sight.
Extra assistance. Lastly, consider asking your agent to bring an extra helper or two (especially if your house is large) to keep an eye on things during your open house. If you are selling the house yourself, consider asking for help from a family member or even a friendly neighbor.
Once you’re home, go through your house and ensure everything is as it should be. Report any missing items or damage to your agent immediately. Some agents keep a log of visitors and may be able to assist in making a report.
Following these simple steps will drastically reduce your risk of theft. Now you can focus on tidying up and putting your home’s best foot forward on the big day. Don’t forget to bake some cookies. Happy selling.