When a homeowner decides to sell his home himself, a lot of work awaits him. You need to speak with interested buyers and schedule visits before you get to the negotiations and contracts. More terrifying is that the salesperson has to open his door to people he does not know. In today’s world, that’s scary.
The owner definitely takes a risk by inviting strangers into his home. You have to be extremely cautious of who is looking at your home. There is a safety factor involved when marketing your home. One caveat for homeowners looking to sell is to be very careful, because many real estate agents have been attacked, raped, and killed in the home sales business.
When there’s a For Sale by Owner sign in your yard and someone stops and rings the bell, you need to be prepared. There are precautions you must take to keep yourself and your family safe. In our society, people are often afraid to ask questions because they don’t want to offend the other person. “When it comes to safety, you are the number one concern,” explains Eddie Edwards, crime prevention officer for the Dallas / Fort Worth area police department.
“Before letting that person stop by your home, get some information. Get the driver’s license number and a couple of references. Then schedule a time when you can come back and search. This gives you time to see the prospective buyer. “he added. Edwards says.
“It is necessary to keep the information about the person in a safe place so that, if something happens, the police have a clue about a suspect,” he explains. “Explain to viewers that you need information for their safety. If buyers don’t provide the information, then don’t show the house.”
It is also recommended that the owner request a pre-approval letter by fax or email prior to the visit. Here again, check the information in the letter. Call the mortgage company and ask questions.
Once you’ve checked the references and are showing someone your home, don’t let your guard down. Listen to the type of questions asked. For example, “Do you have a safe? Do you have a security system?” If these are wacky questions, tell the person you have another date and show them the door.
During the sale process, Edwards advises homeowners to call the police if they have any concerns about their property. “If there is a partially open window or a screen on the floor, something out of the ordinary, just give us a call. Even if you feel uncomfortable, just give us a call. We are on the streets all the time, and that’s what we do: keep to the people safe. “
With all the work it takes to successfully sell your home, don’t take any chances with your safety. Opening the door for a criminal is the last thing you need.
