When selling a home, there are dozens of questions, concerns, and thoughts running through a seller’s head. One of the most prevalent of these is safety during the selling process. We have prepared some safety tips when selling your home.
Discuss procedures with your realtor:
Your realtor is your main point during the home selling process. Make sure you have a realtor you can trust because he will be in your home a majority of the time. It is very important that you discuss these procedures with your realtor. Some of these procedures include:
-Lockbox: know whether a lockbox will be placed on your home. If there is, know where the lockbox will be placed and how it affects you.
-Responsibility: you and your realtor should know who is responsible for securing the home and how to properly secure it- whether it be locking the front door, back door, fire alarm, etc.
-Showings: most agents have an app on the phone for home owners that allows the seller to know when each showing will be held. Make sure you are comfortable with the app and understand how the showings will be tracked.
In some cases, like luxury estates, realtors will opt to not put a lockbox on the home. In this case, the realtor will personally handle the key and will be present for each showing.
Don’t allow passerby’s- everyone needs an appointment
In order to keep yourself and your home safe while it is on the market, do not allow anyone in your home with out an appointment. Occasionally, someone will see the “for sale” sign in the lawn and be tempted to knock on your door. If they request to come inside and view, tell them they are required to have a realtor with them. NEVER let a stranger in your home!
Lock away valuables
A somewhat obvious, but still pertinent, safety tip is locking away your valuables during showings. These valuables include: car keys, house keys, jewelry, cash, credit cards, and medications. While your realtor will be on the lookout for any obscure behavior, it is impossible to know what is going on at all times.
Put your “stuff” away
One of the biggest crimes nowadays in the US is identity theft. It can be very simple to steal a person’s identity, especially while they are in your home. Another important safety tip is putting away any personal items like calendars, bills, invitations, etc. All of this personal information, while it seems small, can be easily stolen. Don’t take a chance of this happening to you.
Safety can be overlooked when selling a home. All homeowners should be aware of these risks and take in to account any safety tips they see. If you are looking for a realtor that you can trust with the sale of your home, call us today. 865-693-SOLD (7653)
ryan coleman
