Wednesday, 10th of March 2010 at 08:29:04 AMMany Seller’s don’t give much thought to an Open House, clean up a little bit and figure out what to do while the agent hosts the open house. Unfortunately there are those that take advantage of open houses for other reasons than to see your home. To help protect you, just think of these items:
- Jewelry. This is an easy target for thieves, because it’s small and easy to walk out with. Fortunately, the answer here is simple: get a safe-deposit box and put every piece of jewelry that you don’t wear every day in it. It will cost you maybe $50 a month during the time your house is being marketed, and the peace of mind is invaluable.
- Prescription drugs. Again, an easy target for thieves or any open house visitor who just asks “to use the bathroom.” Some people keep their meds in the refrigerator, where they’re in pretty easy reach too. Take them with you before you leave the open house in the agent’s hands instead.
- Small electronics. Cameras, iPods … these are the kinds of things that are small enough to hide in a handbag or coat, and can therefore turn up missing. Lock them away in a filing cabinet.
- Personally identifiable information. This means stuff that has your bank account or social security number on it; mortgage bills, bank statements, credit card statements, cell phone bills. Most identity thieves aren’t going to go to the trouble of attending an open house, but before you let your agent host an open house, make sure these things aren’t lying on your desk (or in an open top drawer where they could be quickly snatched.) Or as in a recent open house that I attended, on the dry board in the office.
Some quick tips to keep you and your valuables safe during an open house. Can you think of anything else?
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