If you are selling your home, hosting an open house is a valuable way of introducing your house to prospective buyers. Unfortunately, this also opens your doors to potential burglars.
“There is safety in numbers. Have someone on duty with you to manage events,” says Charnel Hattingh, head of marketing and communications at Fidelity ADT.
Estate agents need to discuss the option of putting security systems in place before a show day, she adds.
“This is not only to protect the sellers’ valuables and property, but to ensure the agents are safe as well. We advise sellers to lock all their valuables away and to ensure that your agent understands your concerns regarding the safety and the security of your property. Posting a guard on the premises and giving the agent access to a panic button is also ideal.”
While you cannot plan for every eventuality, the following will help to discourage thieves from taking advantage of the situation:
- Ensure that the agent has access to the panic button.
- Alert your private security service provider that your home will be on show and ask them to stop by.
- Do not leave spare keys for the home hanging on hooks that can be reached.
- Always lock away valuables that can easily fit into a handbag or pocket.
- Put away larger items of equipment to stop criminals from thinking they might have to return later when no one is home.
- Open curtains and blinds or switch on lights to discourage would-be thieves from untoward activity.
- Position yourself where you can see prospective buyers’ vehicles as they arrive. Make a note of their registration numbers, as well as the make and model of the car.
- Ask your visitors to stay with you while you walk through the home together.
- While you are conducting a viewing, do not leave the front entrance of the home open.
- If visitors arrive while you are talking to someone else, encourage them to fill in the visitor’s book or take a look at the garden and outdoor facilities.
