Better Safe than Sorry

I am amazed at how many houses are selling around Hardin County. That is exciting news for those of us selling homes! As I have foraged into that category, I am reminded of some precautions that sellers must make when the sign goes out front. This advice is good for anyone selling - especially those not using a realtor.

Remember that although it is a necessary evil, there will be complete strangers walking through your home! I was in Cleveland last weekend and my brother is selling his home and we were prepping the house for a showing. While we were getting ready, his wife said to me, "It just occurred to me that complete strangers are going to be walking through here and seeing all of our stuff. I wish I had put more away." Not only is there an aesthetic value to decluttering, but it eliminates the world seeing what belongs to you.

If you have any medications, particularly of the narcotic type, you should lock them up or put them in something that doesn't identify them. One of the cleverest things I have seen a family do is put all of their medications in a tackle box with a lock on it. They brought it with them most of the time when they left for a showing, but were confident that it was safe if they did leave it behind.

Next is the mail. Anything that can identify you or your account numbers should really be put away. It is very easy for someone to walk by a desk, with the realtor ahead of them, and slip a bank statement in their pocket. The next day you may have thousands of dollars charged to your account. Don't risk it! The same thing goes for report cards or mail from the schools. The less ways you give a stranger to identify you or a family member, the better. This is another reason why we suggest that you put away all family photos too!

This is an obvious one, but anything of value - jewelry, purses, accessories, hand tools - that you wouldn't want to part with, remove or lock up. It is very easy for someone with a big purse to walk through and slip something smaller into the big bag and the agent showing the house will be unaware. If there are meaningful keepsakes or heirlooms that you would be heartbroken to have damaged or stolen, you may want to consider removing them. It seems extreme, but the potential buyers walking through your home will not take the same care and concern for your household items that you do.

Also if there any weapons in the home, please be sure to lock them up. That includes kitchen knives on the counter. Store them in a cabinet or drawer. An agent would hear a drawer or cabinet drawer opening, but if someone grabbed a knife off the counter, they would not know until it was too late. If you put place settings on your table - do not set it with silverware for the same reason.

I want to share one more thing that I came upon quite unexpectedly. Lock your doors - even if you are at home. People are going to want to see inside your home and may even be tempted to let themselves in if they think no one is at home. You could be up in the shower or taking a nap and not hear a doorbell or knock. Some people may be bold enough to walk in when there is no answer. This happened to me this week and I was completely unprepared.

My intent with these safety precautions is not to make you paranoid. Ninety-nine percent of the people that will go through your home will be legitimate potential buyers, but I would much rather you be safe than sorry.

As seen in The News Enterprise, July 23, 2010, authored by Sheila O'Mara of Staged SO Right