Sellers beware
No good Realtor will ever fault you for trying to go it alone when it comes to selling your own property. We admire the courage, tenacity and patience it takes to make yourself available to anyone at any time who may want to see your property. We also understand the sense of urgency felt when receiving a call from a seemingly qualified buyer who just must see your place right away.
Aside from the sacrifices of personal time and space there are certain safeguards that good Realtors practice that might help you For Sale By Owners. Since September is Realtor Safety Month we want to share some of the advice we share with each other as peers so you may benefit and stay safe while marketing your own home.
When you get that call and make an appointment to show your property to a stranger, let a neighbor, friend or relative know when you will be showing and to whom. Arrange a call to or from that party for assurance of your safety. Often times agents will have a safety word they can share with a colleague to let them know that something is amiss and to notify authorities. Better yet, have that friend or relative with you as a safety measure. You are less likely to be accosted if another party is present to respond to your alerts.
When showing your property make sure you have an exit strategy. Unlocking a back door can save you precious seconds if you need to make a run for it. Good shoes for running will help too. Be careful about going into a room with only one exit where you could be trapped by someone blocking the only door. Better to let your prospect in first, keeping yourself close to the door. If showing to a couple or more prospects, make sure to keep them all together as they tour your property. Letting one lag behind provides them an opportunity to rig a door latch or undo a window so access later will be quick and easy.
Ask your prospects for identification before admitting them into your home. Bad actors are not likely to identify themselves by producing a driver’s license. If they refuse, do not let them in. If they persist lock them out and call the police. People of good intentions are used to showing identification so should not object to showing it to you.
We have talked before about hiding prescription drugs before and checking doors and windows to make sure they are locked after a visit from a prospect. Some nefarious individuals use a viewing opportunity to explore the benefits and guarantee future access for a burglary. When getting ready to show your property take a look around to make sure those prescriptions, jewelry, electronics and other items of value are not conspicuous and acting as an invitation to theft. Always put your visitors on notice that you have an appointment immediately following their visit so they will anticipate the arrival of another.
We know it is a challenge selling real estate, especially when it is not your profession. Do not let your desire to get it sold cause you to compromise your own safety.
Trust an expert…call a Realtor. Call your Realtor or visit www.cdarealtors.com to search properties on the Multiple Listing Service or to find a Realtor member who will represent your best interests.
Kim Cooper is a real estate broker and the spokesman for the Coeur d’Alene Association of Realtors. Kim and the Association invite your feedback and input for this column. You may contact them by writing to the Coeur d’Alene Association of Realtors, 409 W. Neider, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815 or by calling (208) 667-0664.