Safety and The For Sale By Owner

Midtown Atlanta Real Estate

Let's face it. It's a tough world out there. Whether you've lost a job, a friend, family pet, whatever. Life has its challenges.

Perhaps one of your challenges is the need to sell or rent your home or condominium. Again, maybe it's an investment property and time for a new tenant, or maybe its' your own home and you have to sell it.

Changes in homes values have left many homeowners taking the route of selling their home on their own, without the help of a real estate agent. Maybe you can afford our services, and I certainly understand where you are coming from. But as you take on this task, I wanted to remind you of one very important point you may have overlooked....

Your SAFETY, and that of your family and your personal possessions. When you respond to that phone call of someone interested in seeing your For Sale By Owner (FSBO) home, who's really coming to see you? Do you know who it is?

This past week, a homeowner (condominium) invited a stranger into her condo to view it, with the understanding this individual was interested in purchasing it. And this was no ordinary home, but priced at $1,000,000! This meeting did not turn out well, and the individual has since been arrested and charged with the homeowners' murder. Yes, that's what I said.

One of the key "tools" both a real estate agent and a FSBO will use is the Open House. What better way to get people in to see your home, than open up the front door, and roll out the welcome mat. But, this also opens you, your family and your home to all sorts of security issues.

I wanted to share some tips with you, to help you prepare for your Open House (or even the visit from the potential tenant or buyer).

Don't just post your address on any Internet posting. Wait to give out the address when you have spoken to a person to schedule a viewing of your home or condo. This way, you have some control on who knows where you are.

When scheduling a viewing, don't do it alone. If you are hosting your own Open House, have a friend or family member with you. Alert a neighbor, or two, about what you are doing so they can keep an eye open.

Have visitors show you a picture id, to make sure they are at least the same person. Anyone resisting this should be suspect. If you live in a multi-family building, meet the visitor in the lobby (if you have one.) Ask that they leave their driver's license with the Concierge or Security Officer before taking them to your home. (Not just signing a sign in sheet...leave the physical license.)

When showing your home, never walk into a room first. Follow behind the individual and point out the features. "To your left is the master bedroom. And through it is the bath."

Don't allow people to separate in your home or condo. Keep them together. One could be the distraction to see what valuables they can steal now, or later.

Put away simple things....laptops, jump drives, personal information like bills, bank statements, jewelry. Remember, a thief with a jump drive can steal files off your computer in a matter of a few moments if it's not password protected.

Always know your escape routes. Have doors or windows unlocked so you can quickly exit.

Always have your cell phone and car keys on your person. Have your cell phone programmed to easily call 911.

If you simply MUST host an Open House by yourself, have a "buddy call system" with a friend that they call you every 30 minutes. If they call you and you don't answer, have them call 911.

If you feel threatened in anyway, get out, and call 911.

While I'd likelove to be the REALTOR you choose to help you market your home or condominium, I understand you might need to do it on your own. I can only hope these few safety tips will help you with that part of the sales or renting process.