Did you know that when you put your home up for sale it becomes more vulnerable to burglaries? That’s why you need burglar detector alarms even in empty homes.
Listing a home for sale means lots of strangers in your house, everyone from real estate agents, prospective buyers, neighbors and others. It’s easier for thieves to find out what is in your home and when it might be vacant for them to do their dirty work.
Here are some things you can do to keep your home safe from harm while it is on the market :
1. Take an inventory | Digitally record the possessions in your home prior to placing the home on the market. Do a room by room inventory of all items so you know what you have. This digital record will be very useful in the event of theft or emergency.
2. Contact your security company | Let your home security company know that you’ll be selling your home. This is a perfect time to verify your contact information should you or your representative need to be reached in the event of emergency. Your security company can also review your options concerning the sale of your home and the home security system.
3. Train your realtor | Give your realtor their own code to use the alarm system. That way you can track when they’ve been there and for how long. This code can also be easily deleted when it is no longer needed. Make sure your realtor knows how to properly arm and disarm the system. Your realtor also needs to know how to cancel an alarm with your alarm monitoring center.
4. Work in pairs | Some people sell their home without using a realtor. In these instances it is always wise to work in pairs. Don’t show your home alone. This gives strangers a chance to take advantage of you. Always have someone with you when showing your home. To avoid the risk of being attacked from behind, allow visitors to enter rooms before you do.
5. Keep a log| Insist that your realtor keep a log of all people that enter your home, especially during open house showings. It’s wise to have your realtor ask to see a photo ID for all who enter during an open house. Don’t allow people to wander unattended through your home.
6. Protect the valuables | Portable electronics, jewelry, spare keys, wallets, etc. are all valuables that need to be protected when showing your home. Keep these things in drawers or closets so they don’t become easy targets for dishonest people.
7. Inspect your home after each showing | Criminals may use your open house or visit to your home to plan for future crimes. They’ll get to know the home, they’ll check out what you have, and they may unlock door locks or windows for use in their return visit. Check your home after each showing. Make sure nothing appears out of order. Check to make sure all doors and window are locked, and that no security system motion sensors have been blocked by something to reduce their coverage range.
Selling your home can be hectic enough without having to deal with criminal activity. Don’t allow your home to be an easy target. Follow these tips for better protection with home security companies.