Selling your home is a daunting task, and sometimes safety is overlooked when a seller is busy making sure that the interior and exterior spaces of a home are in pristine condition. When it comes to selling your home, keep private showing and open house safety tips in mind. As the saying goes, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Why Safety Matters When Selling a Home

When your home hits the real estate market, you are essentially inviting strangers into your house. Selling a home could make you a target for a crime. Burglars may attempt to steal your belongings if they believe you are not home. Others with even more nefarious intentions could attempt to harm you and those who live with you. Moreover, houses for sale may entice vandals to destroy your property. While these circumstances are not common, it is best to keep safety in mind so that you are prepared for anything.

Open House Safety Tips

The National Association of Realtors offers a number of recommendations for open house safety tips. The organization stresses the importance of keeping a charged cell phone within reach at all times and keeping a log of visitors. Sellers or agents should ask visitors to sign in during an open house. The form should have space for visitors to write their phone numbers, full names, and addresses. Try to have an additional person with you during your open house. A family member, friend, or real estate agent is useful for deterring unwanted activity during open houses.

Private Showing Safety Tips

When it comes to private showings, it is important to only accept visitors on an appointment-only basis. Crime prevention expert Andrew Wooten recommends that homeowners and agents alike write down descriptions of vehicles (including license plate numbers) and visitors. This information can be useful in the event of a crime or theft at a later date.

Another tip offered by the National Association of Realtors is to walk behind, not in front of, potential buyers. Rather than leading guests through the house, a seller should direct visitors. This will help you maintain control over your surroundings while keeping an eye on the movements of potential buyers.

General Safety Tips

Those selling their homes should make sure all doors and windows are locked — especially at night time. If you notice unusual activity, such as a vehicle driving by your home multiple times, write down the car’s plate number. You can also ask the Dallas or Fort Worth police (or a local department if you live in a suburban city) to patrol your neighborhood more frequently. These requests can be made by simply calling your local department’s non-emergency line and asking for additional patrols. If you live within the city limits of Dallas, you can submit a request for an extra patrol online.

When selling, be sure to hide valuables in a safe or remove them from your home all together. Family heirlooms or jewelry with sentimental value can be targeted by thieves.

For more safety tips, speak with your local police department and real estate agent.