7 Sensible Safety Tips When Showing Your House For Sale

By Noel Peebles

When selling a home FSBO (for sale by owner), sellers
usually run their own open houses. This can be an
excellent way of showing a property to potential
buyers. However, there are safety concerns that
need careful thought before allowing strangers
access your home. You don't know who they are
or what their true intentions might be.

Here's a report of one such open house incident.
In Dallas a gunman entered a property, talked on
his cell phone and then terrorized the agent with
a gun while committing a robbery. The gunman then
stole the Realtor's car.

In another case, a man unlocked a window at an
open house and returned later to burglarize the
property. So, with that in mind here are 7
important open house safety tips:

Safety Tip 1.
Know the fastest "escape" routes from your home.
Make sure all deadbolt locks are unlocked to
facilitate a faster exit. Make sure if you were
to escape by the back door, that you could quickly
escape from the backyard.

Safety Tip 2.
When prospects begin to arrive, jot down their car
description, license number and physical description.

Safety Tip 3.
Have EVERYONE who comes to inspect your open house fill
out his or her name, address and phone number on a
sign-in sheet FIRST! Keep your open house sign-in sheet
near the entrance and make sure it is completed BEFORE
showing anyone through the house.

Safety Tip 4.
DO NOT, under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, allow a stranger to
tour your open house BY THEMSELVES! Stay alongside
them at all times. Direct them, don't lead them.
Say, for example, "the kitchen is on your left,"
and gesture for them to go ahead of you. Keep a
watchful eye on how they act and what they touch.
You don’t want any of your possessions walking out
the door.

Safety Tip 5.
Never show people through your open house on your
own. However, if that is unavoidable then consider
these options:

- Make appointments and open your house by
appointment only.

- Let your spouse, friend or neighbor know when you
have open house appointments.

- Arrange to ring your spouse, friend or neighbor as
soon as the open house appointment is finished.

- Have a prearranged time for your spouse, friend or
neighbor to phone you if you haven’t already phoned
them back.

- Have a prearranged PASSWORD you can use on the phone
if you are in any way uncomfortable with the situation.
The password code might be something as simple as
“don’t forget the birthday cake.”

Safety Tip 6.
Never tell a stranger that you can’t show them the
house because you won’t be home. That is an open
invitation to any criminal. Simply say something
like “I’ll be busy then… how about 10.30 instead?”

Safety Tip 7.
Always tell the open house viewer that you are
expecting a visitor to arrive shortly. This could
deter anyone who might be considering something
criminal.

This all might sound a bit extreme, but protect yourself
because “it is better to be safe than sorry.”
Incidents CAN and DO happen!

A final word; remember, when selling your home FSBO,
the personal safety of you and your family is more
important than property or possessions.

***************************************************
Noel Peebles is co author of the best selling ebook
"Home Selling Secrets Revealed." Discover how to sell
your own home in the shortest time... for more money...
and avoid paying thousands in real estate commissions!
http://www.forsalebyownerguide.com