Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
Your home is on the market and you are cleaning and preparing it to look its best for any potential buyer who pays a visit. Your realtor has suggested an open house next Sunday and you are all for it.
Open houses are an invitation to the public to walk into your home and view what you own as openly and freely as possible with only your broker there to watch, and with that comes a certain amount of risk. According to the National Association of Realtors, at least 40 percent of agents have experienced something which made them fear for their safely.
As a homeowner, you want to be prepared when strangers show up to your door. It’s only logical to make sure your jewelry and other small valuables locked up. Along with that, make sure your prescription medication is not left laying around for anyone to grab, especially if they are in your medicine cabinet.
Don’t leave your extra garage door remotes lying around, either. This also goes for keys to your home or car. These items are small and can easily be slipped into someone’s pocket without you or your broker noticing. You could come home one day and find your Cadillac missing from your garage!
Your personal financial files and bank information should not be left out, either. I know you usually leave the mail on your desk in your den, but start putting it into a locked drawer or file cabinet. You can purchase a filing cabinet with a lock at a local hardware store for less than $100. Identity theft is a real danger in this country and should be taken very seriously.
What about the larger items inside your home like your television or radio system? Make sure you check your windows and doors, especially the ones you would not usually use. Someone may secreately leave one unlocked and enter the home when you’re not there.
Safety and security are huge priorities that you should definitely discuss with your real estate professional. You don’t want to come home one day to a break in or worse.
To contact me, call 847-292-4700, e-mail gz@zerillorealty.com or visit www.zerillorealty.com.
