Safety When Showing Your Home

When your house is for sale, you need to take extra steps to protect yourself, your family, pets, and property safe.

So how do you ensure your own safety and still give would-be buyers proper access to see your home?

First, let’s look at the way you live normally vs the way you should live when your property is on the market.

Puppies, pills and cyber security are the big three – but there are others!

• Remove your pets from the home, or at least crate them for safety.
• Lock up you prescription drugs and keep OTC drugs out of sight.
• Put away cash, jewelry, personal documents and valuables.
• Remove or secure firearms.
• Keep valuables out of sight to minimize the risk of theft.
• Do not allow unescorted people into your home. Ever.
• Be aware that potential scammers  may try to contact you through online listings. 

Pets

The best way to ensure your pets’ safety during showings is to remove them from the home entirely. Consider having them stay with a trusted friend or family member or boarding them at a reputable pet boarding facility.

Crate or confine your pets: If you can’t remove your pets, consider crating them or confining them to a safe and secure area. This will help prevent them from escaping or getting into areas of the home that could be dangerous to them.

Inform your real estate agent: Let your Realtor know that you have pets in the home, and ask them to inform potential buyers before they enter. This will help prevent any surprises or potential allergic reactions.

Minimize stress: Keep your pets calm and minimize their stress during showings by providing them with toys, treats, and a comfortable area to rest. Consider playing calming music or using a pheromone diffuser to help reduce anxiety.

Clean up after your pets: Be sure to clean up any pet messes immediately, and remove any evidence of pets such as food bowls, litter boxes, and toys.

By taking these steps, you can help ensure the safety and well-being of your pets during the home-selling process, while also creating a positive impression for potential buyers.

Pills

Remove medications from sight: Don’t leave prescription medications – and even OTC drugs – out in the open where they can be seen by potential buyers. Instead, pack them away in a secure location. It’s also not a bad idea to remove labels as a security measure.

Lock up your medications: Keep your prescription drugs in a secure location that is not easily accessible to potential buyers. They could be a locked cabinet or drawer in a room that is not being shown.

Be discreet when taking medications: If you need to take medications while showing your home, be discreet and take them in a private area where no one can see.

Taking these steps can help ensure that your medications are kept safe and secure during the home-selling process.

Cyber Security

Neutralize your home! Remove your name and personal information, secure your personal documents, bank statements, password lists…everything that could compromise your identity.

Cyber Crime: A lot of money changes hands during real estate transactions, so it comes as no surprise that scammers attempt to intercept emails between parties and change wiring instructions to divert funds to their own account. This is wire fraud!

Watch for phishing emails and always verify requests for sensitive personal or financial information through a number you know – NEVER call the number on the email or click on the links! Be vigilant in monitoring your financial transactions for any unusual activity and report it immediately.

Be aware of potential scammers who try to contact you through online listings. 

Financial safety: Be cautious when accepting offers and don’t provide your personal or financial information to buyers. This should only be done through a trusted source such as the title company. Beware of scams, such as fraudulent wire transfer requests, and always verify the identity of the buyer and their financial institution. 

Legal safety

Hire a reputable real estate agent or attorney to help guide you through the selling process and ensure that all

legal requirements are met. Contracting is a critical part of the transaction, so the person you select to protect your interest during contracting and negotiating can make all the difference.

Texas real estate transactions are typically closed through a Title Company or law office. Their job is to follow the instructions of the contract, examine and insure the title, collect and disburse funds. Working with the right team of professionals will help protect you from potential legal issues down the line.

Personal safety

Do Not Allow Unescorted People to Enter. EVER.

People may approach your house and ask to see inside. DON’T TAKE CHANCES! Tell them to call their Realtor® at the phone number is on the sign! They can schedule an appointment at a convenient time with the proper escort.

The same is true for real estate agents other than the one you hired – they know to call for an appointment.

Accessing your home:

North Point Realty uses GE Electronic Lockboxes when your property is listed For Sale.

Home safety

Before listing your home, make sure to address any safety concerns such as faulty wiring, leaky pipes, or loose railings. These issues could put buyers at risk and potentially harm you as a seller. This is no time to battle over a slip-and-fall claim on your homeowners insurance!

Bottom Line

Take extra steps to help keep you, your family, pets, and property safe.

One of the most important of these is the real estate agent you hire to help you through the process. By keeping these considerations in mind, you can help ensure a safe and successful home-selling experience.

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