Tiffany Accattato

Security Tips for FSBO's

One of the things a seller doesn't often think about, when deciding to sell their own home, is security; the security of themselves, their family and their property.

The following is a list of precautions to take before allowing strangers into your home:

• For your own safety, never set an appointment with anyone to see your home unless they have given you their name and number and you have called back to verify that number. An easy way to do this is to say. "Let me check with my husband/wife for the best time and I will call you back." Use this method even if you are not married.

• If the caller says he/she is a real estate agent, call his/her office to verify the information. You can also often check out a Real Estate Company website and find a picture of the agent. When he or she comes to the house, get a business card. For instance:

I may call you asking to preview your home. I will give you

My name

My company name

My cell number

You should ask for my office number; I will give it to you. (You could verify it by

looking it up in the yellow pages, assuming you have the same yellow pages we are listed in).

You should ask if I/we have a website. I would give you:

My website address

My office website address where you could then click on "Associates" and find my picture and a link to my website.

• Leave the name and phone number of the person requesting to view your home either with someone, such as a neighbor, or in a location that is out of sight but known by someone else.

• Never let a caller or looker know your schedule. Don't ever tell them when you won't be at home, when your spouse won't be home, when you pick up the kids, when you work, when you will be on vacation, etc.

• Never provide a caller with information about your home's security such as deadlock bolts, security systems, and so forth.

• Always have a back-up plan when you allow strangers into your home, especially if you have children. Have a neighbor look out for you until the lookers have gone.

• Never let a stranger into your home without seeing some identification. Keep a log of everyone who has looked at your house. Get their name, telephone number, address, car description, tag number, and any additional information that could be helpful in the event of a future burglary. All of these people would be suspects.

• If you make a flyer to advertise your home, don't include any information that might breech security.

• Remove from sight all valuables, including guns, jewelry, silverware, and collections.

• Remove any prescription drugs from your bathroom and put them somewhere else.

• Never leave strangers alone, and watch their every move while they're in your home.

• Never allow yourself to get cornered. Always have an opening to an exit. Do not turn your back on people you let into your house. Let the lookers enter rooms first. Maintain a distance between yourself and the lookers.

• Try to always have someone else with you when you show your home. There is strength in numbers.

• Instruct children not to give out information over the phone. Just have them ask for a name and call back number.

• If you are using a push button or dial lock box, only give out the code to a Realtor® or real estate agent that you have verified the identity of. Better yet, don't give the code to anyone you do not know.

Every one showing a home, man or woman, young or older, should take care and remember these security tips. While not epidemic, there are enough cases of fraudulent buyers that are really only cases of con artists looking to find some valuables they might steal, or worse.

I have had a concern brought to my attention quite a few times since I started my For-Sale-By-Owner Marketing Company. It seems that there are people in our area that feel our local real estate agents only show their buyer clients their company listings. And are also concerned their properties will not be shown if they go the FSBO route to sell their homes.

One couple stated that, "the agent only showed his company listings and did not show them their properties of interest, saying they wouldn't like it." And just found that odd without questioning the agent.

Another gentleman had a listing he wanted to see and the Agent told him, "he couldn't contact the Agent listed on the property." With no buyer agreement signed, this buyer called the agent off his sign to see the property. The said agent was irrate that the previous agent had made no attempt to contact him regarding a showing.

Common practice? I sure hope not.

As a practicing Realtor for 7 years in multiple states, I know there are a few bad eggs in the field. Fortunately, they are few and far between and not the norm. Most Real Estate Professionals are out there to service their clients professionally and ethically. Anyway, failing to do so breaches their fiduciary duty to their clients and of the Realtor Code of Ethics.

Also, Realtors routinely show FSBO homes to their buyer clients. Why wouldn't they? In turn this will generate thousands of more commission dollars for the agent.

It is to our advantage as a community not to set such practices as normal routines. I feel I was trained by 2 of the best real estate companies in the industry; Century 21 and Keller Williams Realty. As new agents you are professionally trained on how to work with FSBO's and your buyer clients as well as exercise a high degree of care, skill and diligence in the conduct of the agents duties.

I hope to raise awareness of these concerns as well as others on my blogs and my website www.bellacasafsbo.com

Let's embrace the new ideals and business models of real estate marketing.

WWW.BELLACASAFSBO.COM

For Sale By Owner, or FSBO (pronounced fizbo), is the process of selling real estate without the representation of a real estate broker or real estate agent. Homeowners may employ the services of Bella Casa's marketing and online listing company or market their own property but do not pay a commission and represent themselves with the help of an attorney throughout the sale.

Business Overview

Many people attempt to sell their own homes, properties and cottages every year. And while some are successful, many are not. Our For-Sale-By-Owner consulting business assists these people in selling their homes and properties conveniently and cost-effectively. Duties include instructing clients in how to prepare their home for listing, helping them to establish a value, market their property, professional use of yard signs, and providing them tips on the finer points of hosting an open house.

Bella Casa's For-Sale-By-Owner Specialist is not working as a real estate agent or broker, but merely as a consultant to guide clients through the steps to help them sell their own homes. Clients are charged a flat fee for providing the service, and charge separately for extras like printing fliers, renting our For Sale and Open House signs and for listings on our Homes for Sale by Owner website.

Call Your For-Sale-By-Owner Specialist Today!

Tiffany Accattato

315-765-0509

Membership Benefits

Bella Casa, Real Estate Members may receive

1. Unlimited real estate referrals from Bella Casa's Listing Website and phone inquiries in your designated market area.
2. Competition with only (3) Realtors per market area.
3. No long-term contract, cancel at anytime.
4. Unlimited Listings on Website.
5. All leads from your listings go directly to you.
6. Your listings stay ‘live' until sold.

Annual membership cost is $199/year. Membership begins the date the application is accepted and ends on a fiscal year basis.

Everything you need to get started is on our website: http://www.rediscovercny.com