'TIS THE SEASON-TO BE CAREFUL © 2012 by Wayne D. Lewis, Sr.

           

            Your home is on the market.  Best wishes the in the sale of your home.  During the holidays, your home may become a magnet for those who have intentions to commit a criminal act.  This is just a friendly reminder to be on guard and vigilant for any unusually friendly buyers who seem to only come around when you are arriving home, or leaving.  Or, be careful of those who knock on your door and just want to take a quick look because they are on their way out of town and can’t set an appointment for the next day.  I could speak to you on so many fronts today regarding protecting your home, but we will just focus on your home during the holidays.

            We will focus on your home, and how, when it is on the market, it becomes a magnet for those who have intensions not necessarily to buy, but to steal and/or rob us of our valuables and livelihood, using the holidays as a pretense. Below are a few tips to be aware of when listing your home during the holiday season.

http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/60571/home_security/how_to_secure_your_home_while_trying_to_sell_your_home.html

 

1.      Limit the times and the number of groups, or people who can see your home. For example: Maybe Saturdays or Sundays between 2p.m & 4 p.m. or 11a.m. and 2p.m.

2.      Ask your agent to screen potential buyers very closely before setting appointments[1]. For example:       

a.       determine how long the buyer has been looking at homes;

b.      are the buyers working with an agent;

c.       how long has the agent been working with the buyer(s);

d.      Are the buyers looking to purchase soon or are they just looking:

3.      If selling a property FOR SALE BY OWNER (FSBO), you too have a duty to act with caution to protect you, your family and your property from those who may otherwise have intentions to buy a home. Here are a few pre-cautionary steps for you as well:

a.       Do not allow people to walk up to your home and ask to see your house without an appointment;

b.      If a potential buyer calls from your sign, have a pre-set of questions to ask before allowing them to come into your home;

c.       Ask if the potential buyer has an agent;

d.      Ask the potential buyer, what do they like about the area your home is in;

e.       Do not set up appointments according to the buyers first schedule, but according to your schedule- (Reschedule the appointment if you are not comfortable with the potential buyer, if they are serious, they will most likely reschedule as well)

f.       Always have someone at home with you when showing your FSBO property

g.      Answer questions only about the sale of the property and no personal questions about you or your family (when are you moving, where are you going, etc);

4.      Whether selling your home with an agent or without, here are some other practical things to do while your home is on the market:

a.       Put pictures away of family members;

b.      Put away jewelry, mail, and important papers;

c.       Have an outline of what you are, or not including in the sale, such as appliances, light fixtures or window treatments;

            The key to remember when your home is on the market, especially during holidays, is that someone maybe watching your goings and comings. Be careful putting out boxes on the curb that indicate you bought some expensive items, and that for the most part, while your home is on the market during the holidays, that item is somewhere in your home. [2]

http://www.gaylordsecurity.com/home-security-center/security-tips/selling-your-home-make-it-a-secure-transaction/

            These tips are not an intent to frighten anyone, but during the holiday seasons, thieves do their best work. They depend on us to be focused on many other things. And while our homes are on the market, we would like to believe that the only ones that are looking at our homes are potential buyers, but potential thieves are also at work. Here are a few more tips that may benefit you and help you stay safe while your home is on the market:

1.      Use your security system (protect your pass code-do not write it next to the keypad);

2.      Lock your doors (home and garage) and check each after showings are completed;

3.      Do not leave keys by the entrance doors or in the doors of your home;

4.      Keep children in doors after dark, or be outside with them during the holidays;

5.      Do not block doorways with moving boxes, this may make it easy for someone to hide behind after a showing is over;

6.      Have a code word or hand gesture to share with your children and family members if something is wrong but it can’t be stated if danger is near;

7.      If your home is broken into while on the market, let your agent know immediately after notifying the police;

8.      KNOW THE NUMBER TO 911!

             These tips are just a few reminders of how important it is to be vigilant during the holidays, and of course at all times. Your home is one of your most treasured investments. But your home is not more valuable than you and your family’s safety. As you prepare to sell your home, continue to focus on having a truly enjoyable Holiday Season. But also, continue to focus on the safety of your family. Best wishes, and Happy Holidays.

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[1] No screening activity shall be to violate any constitutional right to prohibit a potential buyer from purchasing a home regardless of race, religion, familial status, sex, sexual preference, nationality or any of the prohibitive acts forbidden by law-http://www.civilrights.org/fairhousing/laws/federal.html)

 

 

[2] Links included in blogs, unless specified, are not product endorsements.