8 Home Safety Tips when Selling

It's almost always a good idea to err on the side of safety. Here are 8 ways to guard your safety while selling your home. If you're planning on selling your home, a great real estate agent can help protect you, your home, and your family!

Home Safety Tip 1: Never Show Your Home

We’ve seen it happen many times, an interested buyer suddenly knocks on the door. They saw the for sale sign in your yard while driving by and would love to “pop in” and see it. Never allow anyone to see your home. Connect them with your real estate agent. Part of your agents job is to have a conversation with any potential and verify that they aren’t wasting your time. Any agent that is working with a serious buyers will take the time to receive a proof of funds letter from a financial institution before spending time looking at a house the potential buyer may not be able to afford, wasting everyone’s time.

Showing your home not only could waste your time, it could endanger your safety. Without a background check you never know who the person is in your home or what they may actually be scoping out. Real estate agents are trained to vet buyers and are well practiced at discerning new people. Pro Realty Group never wants our clients to miss an opportunity and supply our clients with a stack of business cards to give to “drive-by’s” so they can get in touch with us to setup a showing on your home!

Home Safety Tip 2: Bluetooth Lockbox vs. Combo Box

Combo boxes have been an industry standard for decades for securing a key to the property while adding convenience for showings. While there are several types of lockboxes including four digit combos, three letter combos, and alphabetical dials (yes, dials like on your high school locker); a new more secure lockbox has been invented in the last decade.

At Pro Realty Group we enhance our clients security with Supra iBox lockboxes. These bluetooth enabled lockboxes may only be opened by a digital key (or phone app via bluetooth). It would be cheaper to purchase combo boxes (about $30 at the hardware store), but we believe the difference is worth it ($150/box). The bluetooth enabled lockboxes are vastly more secure for our clients and not only record who opened the keybox, but when the keybox was accessed for security records. Great full-time agents and firms in the Triad subscribe to this service as a part of their business and service for their clients.

Home Safety Tip 3: Home Security System

Most criminals are looking for an easy target. A sign in your front yard can let them know that if no one’s home they have a limited time before the police show up and they may choose an easier target. You may or may not want to have a home security system in place if your home is listed on the market. While Pro Realty Group doesn’t recommend leaving the system active when a showing is expected, most modern systems can be deactivated remotely for the duration of a showing. Many home security systems also include cameras that may be used to monitor the premises. Talk with your agent, refer to the listing agreement, and your local ordinances in regards to any legal implications for recording activities on your property during showings.

Home Safety Tip 4: Hedges and Lighting

Trimming the hedges and installing landscape lighting not only adds curb appeal to your home, but can increase security. Potential burglars will have no place to hide with well trimmed landscaping and landscape lighting. Plus, if interested buyers driveby the house late at night they may fall in love with a new exciting view of your home!

Trimming landscaping will also help with the home inspection once you’re under contract. Trees and bushes can cause damage to your home if they are in contact with the siding or roof. Also, if vegetation is touching your home it may create a bridge for pest or water to enter and cause damage.

Home Safety Tip 5: Lights on Timers

Placing many of the lights in your home on timers that mimic your natural movements in the house can prevent even your neighbors from noticing that you’ve left for the weekend! Simple lamp timers can be found at your local grocery or hardware store. Light switch timers can be installed. For a high-tech option smart home wifi enabled timers may allow you to turn lights on or off from your phone or computer. Being able to control your home remotely may also be attractive to potential buyers that also like the added security and convenience.

Home Safety Tip 6: Lock-up Valuables & Prescriptions

Real estate agents showing a home do a great job at keeping an eye on the property as they show buyers, but it’s best to protect your valuables. Locking up money, jewelry, guns, or other expensive items is a must while your home is being shown. If you have a friend or family member in the area you may want to leave larger items in their care while you are moving. Prescription drugs also need special attention, as they can be a valuable commodity on the black market. Keep them out of sight and under lock and key while selling your home.

Home Safety Tip 7: Depersonalize Your Home

Removing family photos not only helps stage your home, but can be an added measure of security. Pro Realty Group recommends clients depersonalize their home, removing all family photos.This helps buyers not to feel that the house belongs to someone else and they can envision themselves owning the home. Depersonalizing your home also removes your families faces from the walls, shelves, and fridge so that buyers and their agents are less likely to recognize you. While this could play a part in negotiations it can also add a layer of security for your family.

Home Safety Tip 8: Put Away Personal Info

From calendars, to bills and other documents keep all personal info out of sight and away. Often this correspondence can have private info like account numbers for your bank or credit cards. Calendars may help keep you organized, but buyers don’t need to know your upcoming schedule. The worst instance of this we’ve seen while showing a home was a scheduled price reduction on the fridge calendar, it definitely informed our buyers opinion of what an offer would look like!

There are other ways that you may be able to protect your house, family, and transaction. If you are planning on selling your home, give Pro Realty Group a call we’d be happy to help you with all the details!