Selling Your Home - A FSBO's Guide to Keeping It Safe

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 by: Michelle Annese

Home sellers not only need to think like a realtor in
finding potential buyers for their homes, they also need to think like
a personal security agent.

Sellers need to keep their safety in mind when
prospecting potential buyers. The real estate industry has seen a
problematic climb in assaults towards realtors, and so is the concern
for those who are selling their own homes.

Here are the top 7 ways to protect you, your family, and your home, from being victimized:

1. Fully screen callers before allowing them an
appointment for seeing your home. Ask all the questions: name, existing
address, and telephone number. Where are they employed? Why are they
looking to buy? Do they have a family in the area? Any children? Ask as
many questions until you feel comfortable with this person.

2. Do not let unannounced visitors into your home unless
you have their information first. If you are alone in the house, have
them come back later when there are others home. There is no reason why
someone cannot make an appointment with you. Make sure there is more
than one person in your home when showing your property. Remember,
safety in numbers.

3. If you must show your home alone keep a cell phone
with you. If you are in danger of a potential buyer, you can easily
call 911 for help. In the event in needing to get away from someone run
out of the house into your vehicle or neighbor’s house. Remember, your
life is more important than property. Most criminals interviewed say
they do not want to harm anyone when taking property, but if a person
puts up a fight, so do they. Property and things in your home can be
replaced, your life cannot!

4. Tell your children, even if they are older to not
let anyone in the house unless you are there. Even teenage children
should not let anyone into the house. More assaults are committed on
young people from the ages of 15- 25 years of age than any other age
group.

5. Be very aware of virtual tours. If a virtual tour is
an option for selling your home, make sure there are no expensive
objects in the room(s). Criminals look for opportunities such as these
to target homes to burglarize.

6. Let neighbors know you are selling your home. Check
with them on a regular basis to see if anyone has been around the house
when you are not there. Criminals will use an open house, or a
walk-through to pose as a potential buyer to scope out properties to
burglarize later.

7. Keeping the curb appeal not only adds value when you
are selling a home, but adds to the safety of your home as well.
Criminals say they look for high bushes near windows, not well-lit
areas of a home, and concealed entrances to gain access to a home. Keep
bushes trimmed low, repair or add higher wattage light bulbs to
existing lights, and keep entrances well lit as for prevention.

About the Author

Michelle Annese specializes in self-defense for adults and children, in Waynesboro, Virginia, USA. She is an instructor and lecturer on the subject of self-defense and safety. Specializing in teaching realtors and professional groups as well as the issues faced by women at risk. Ms. Annese is the author of "The Realtor's Survival Guide" and writes many articles that include tips, self-defense strategies, personal protection techniques, safety product information and much more - aimed to help build awareness and to save lives or the life of someone you know. Ms. Annese may be contacted via email at mannese@ntelos.net or visit her websites for more info at www.michelleannese.com / www.safetyquestproducts.com

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