The Arizona housing market has continued to perform positively year after year.  More and more people across Phoenix are selling their homes, providing more opportunities for house showings. Open houses are a required part of selling, and because of this, home sellers need to protect their safety and be prepared to have strangers in their no longer private spaces.

If you are selling your home soon, there are important tips to follow that will protect the safety of home sellers safe while their house is on the market:

1. Take down family photos

When selling a home, you want it to look clean and sharp. Leaving family photos on the walls distracts the buyer from why they are there in the first place. With your personal photographs off the walls, the buyer has a blank slate and an easier time examining the house. Also, having no family photos ensures anonymity, keeping everyone’s privacy protected.

2. Have a trusted agent walk every potential buyer throughout the home

The world can be a dangerous and deceiving place, so it’s important to have someone you trust watch over your home during buyer walk-throughs. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to discern if someone is being truthful in looking for their next home or wanting to take advantage of an empty house. To feel more secure, have an agent there to protect your home and belongings. Agents will also give a better, in-depth tour of your house, making the buyer more inclined to purchase.

3. Hide or remove your valuables and dangerous items from the home

As an influx of strangers come into your home, the chance of something being stolen increases. Jewelry, checkbooks, passports and any other valuables should be locked away in a secure location. You also don’t want any dangerous items such as guns or hunting knives out when buyers show up. Weapons should be stored up or removed from the house entirely. Stay vigilant to ensure that your items and belongings stay your items and belongings.

4. Lock the door behind you

After having potential buyers look at the house, make sure to lock all the doors and windows when you next leave. Someone may have seen something they liked in your house and could potentially come back later for more nefarious reasons. Be safe and double-check the locks to prevent unwelcome visitors.

Selling a home can be stressful and challenging but as long as you remember to prioritize the security of your personal items and home, you can be more aware of keeping the space safe while selling.

 

Author: Rich La Rue is the Designated Broker for HomeSmart Phoenix, the flagship brokerage operation in the HomeSmart system. La Rue has more than 38 years of experience in real estate sales and management from real estate offices to regional and national operations