5 ways to play it safe when selling your home

It’s probably the last thing on you mind. You’re too busy worrying about keeping your home for sale clean for buyers, whether you priced it right, and whether you can find a new home in time to move into when yours sells.

You may forget that selling your property exposes you and your family to some safety risks. Here are tips to minimize those risks.

Mandate appointments

Don’t let buyers tour your home without contacting you ahead of time. If unexpected visitors knock on your door asking to see the place, ask them to set an appointment. Most legitimate buyers understand that appointments are necessary when viewing homes.

Find out who they are

When setting appointments, ask for the buyer’s name and his or her current address. Although not foolproof, an online search can help verify the buyer’s legitimacy.  When he or she arrives for the appointment, ask to see a driver’s license. If someone protests, explain that it’s for your peace of mind. If the buyer refuses, don’t let them in.

Don’t show alone

Always have another person in the property with you when you’re showing it to potential buyers. One person leads the buyers on a tour while the other person trails behind, always having access to an exit. Make sure each of you carry your cell phones, too.

Secure valuables

People also use home tours as a theft opportunity. Don’t leave jewelry lying around. Remove prescription medications from the bathroom, and hide them elsewhere. Similarly, keep iPads, laptops and similar devices out of sight.

Trust your instincts

If something doesn’t feel right, you’re probably correct. Taking steps to ensure the safety of you and your family is never the wrong decision.

These tips can help protect you when selling your home. Also consider hiring a real estate agent to handle the showings and open houses. Just like you would contact us for loan expertise, a real estate professional is an expert at selling homes and screening potential buyers.