While we’d like to assume that all visitors to open houses are legitimate consumers researching homes for sale, these events also present an opportunity for would-be thieves to evaluate the property as a potential target. There have even been instances of agents being robbed while working at an open house or model home. Last year, an agent was robbed at gunpoint while working at a model home in Bartlett and the thief got away with several pieces of jewelry and her mobile phone.

When working at an open house or model home, take these steps to help protect yourself and the property:

• If possible, always try to have at least one other person working with you at the open house.
• Check your cell phone’s strength and signal prior to the open house. Have emergency numbers programmed on speed dial.
• Upon entering a house for the first time, check all rooms and determine several “escape” routes. Make sure all deadbolt locks are unlocked to facilitate a faster escape.
• Make sure that if you were to escape by the back door, you could escape from the backyard. Frequently, high fences surround yards that contain swimming pools or hot tubs.
• Place one of your business cards, with the date and time written on the back, in a kitchen cabinet. Note on it if you were the first to arrive or if clients were waiting.
• Have all open house visitors sign in. Ask for full name, address, phone number and e-mail.
• When showing the house, always walk behind the prospect. Direct them; don’t lead them. Say, for example, “The kitchen is on your left,” and gesture for them to go ahead of you.
• Avoid attics, basements, and getting trapped in small rooms.
• Notify someone in your office, your answering service, a friend or a relative that you will be calling in every hour on the hour. And if you don’t call, they are to call you.
• Inform a neighbor that you will be showing the house and ask if he or she would keep an eye and ear open for anything out of the ordinary.
• Don’t assume that everyone has left the premises at the end of an open house. Check all of the rooms and the backyard prior to locking the doors. Be prepared to defend yourself, if necessary.

Posted by Scott Sherrin at 6:53 am

Tags: open houses, safety week