Protecting Your Home: How To Keep It Safe During The Selling Process

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Updated on September 10th, 2021
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There are so many things to think about when you’re buying and selling a home; the details seem to pile up with each passing day, and it can be overwhelming if you aren’t prepared. It’s a good idea to think ahead and make a plan for any contingency; that way, you’ll have less to worry about and won’t go to bed with that nagging feeling that you’ve forgotten something.

One of the biggest worries sellers have is how to keep their home and valuables safe and sound during the process. You may acquire your new home quickly and be able to move in before the current one sells, leaving it vacant and therefore exposed, or you may be wondering about how to keep your belongings safe during open houses and while the real estate agent is showing potential buyers around. Whatever your needs are, there are several simple ways to attain them.

Here are a few tips on how to get started.

Put your valuables away

No one likes to think that a potential thief may be walking through their home, but it’s a good idea to put away your valuables in a safe place while your house is on the market. Not only is it for the protection of your belongings, it’s also for the benefit of the individual; if you have a piece of jewelry that suddenly goes missing, you might be inclined to blame the stranger who just took a tour through your home without knowing for sure whether they took it. Keeping your things put away will ensure that there is no discord and that everything runs smoothly.

Make your home safe

You never know who might be coming to look at your home; there could be an older couple with mobility issues, or a young couple with small children. For the safety of everyone involved, it’s a good idea to go through your house and look for safety issues. Think about trip hazards, such as slippery throw rugs or stairs that aren’t well-lit. If you haven’t moved out of your home yet and have cutlery in the kitchen, put it away where small children can’t reach it.

It’s also imperative to think about the safety of your real estate agent. Let your neighbors know if there will be an open house so that they’ll be aware of new people coming and going, and always leave the lights on for the agent, no matter what time of day it is. Give him or her the alarm code if you have a security system, and keep all entrances other than the front door locked securely.

Of course, if you have any weapons or prescription drugs, make sure they are locked up or taken out of the house before clients come through.

Install cameras

Before you put your home on the market, consider installing security cameras that will allow you to watch what goes on in your home on a device, such as a smartphone. Not only will the addition of a security camera system boost your home’s value, it will give you peace of mind when you can see from afar all the comings and goings during the selling process.

Real estate agents are well-trained and know how to do their job safely and keep your home in good shape, so there’s no reason for alarm when you put your house on the market. It’s simply a good idea to be prepared and know how to ensure the safety of everyone who walks in. Having a solid plan will help you relax during what can be a stressful time.

 

 

Julie covers all topics related to those random, and sometimes strange, questions that always seem to pop up as a homeowner. As a first time homeowner herself, she researches and produces content to help answer these questions. Before Redfin, Julie spent time living in Europe so her dream home would be in a bustling city close to the beach like Barcelona or Lisbon. For now she's more than happy with her 117 year old house in Seattle.
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