You have signed the listing contract and the first order of business is the open house. Are you ready? Really ready? More than picking up and making the home sparkle, what are some additional things to consider when holding an open house in your home. Most likely there will be just one agent present at the open house. Is your home ready for an influx of buyers and anyone else who wants to walk thru?
While your agent has probably prepped you on what takes place during an open house and how to prepare for it, there may be a few things you can do to be more prepared. Here is a must do check list, to make sure you are not Wide Open.
1. Valuables-Make sure all your valuables-jewelry, money, change, watches are either in a safe that cannot be removed or open at the premises, or bring them with you. Think you have the best hiding spot? In your shoe boxes? Underwear drawer, under your pillow. Yeah, those are the first places a savvy thief will look.
2. Keys and Remotes- Don't leave your garage remotes out or your extra car or house keys. Those are easy items for a thief to snag. While your away at work, they can come back walk up to the garage and with a tap of the garage remote, they so easily hocked, they have full access to your home. I personally do not open garages during open houses. I can't be in the house and the garage at the same time, and don't want to open the open up to risk. So take those with you, I am sure your agent will feel much better.
3. Drugs,Prescription Drugs or Over the counter drugs-Whatever you got, lock it away or take it with you. Besides the fact that your possible buyer will check out the medicine cabinet and possibly find out why you are on an antibiotic, or that you have athletes foot. They may also take them. Those left over painkillers from your root canal are just the thing a druggie is looking for.
4. Computers, Ipads, WII's - Yes, those have been hocked. That cute little couple with the baby in the carrier, yeah, they just changed the diaper and added a little more than powder. Take them with you and lock them up. A professional can steal a WII in less than a minute.
5. You- Are you doing your own open house? If you are, ask a friend or partner to do your open with you. Open houses are open to everyone. If your home is vacant, make sure you have your cell phone with and have someone check in on you. Real Estate Agents have been killed at open houses in vacant homes. Be Safe.
These suggestions may seem overboard and you may be on top of your visitors like white on rice. Thieves are professionals and have all sorts of distractions, slip of the hand etc. They have outsmarted the best. Be prepared and be safe. Be Open, just not Wide Open.