It seems like every other week, I am hearing about another theft from a REALTORS® open house. When doing and open house for your Vendor, remember that it’s YOUR responsibility to ensure that the house is secure at all times. This may not always be easy but there are things we can do to ensure that we maintain a level of security for the home.
The last thing we want to find out from our client is that something has gone missing during our open house.
Here are a few things you can try to help you maintain security during your Open House.
Always have a sign in sheet for your open house.
As obvious as this sounds, it’s very important. Vendors want to know who’s been through their home and god forbid something goes missing, you better know who’s been through the open house. It’s our responsibility to keep names of the people walking through. It’s good professional practice.
Some people may not want to sign in or try to use a fake name. Yes this happens frequently, or they do not leave their full information. Here are two things you can do…
- Explain to them for security reasons the owner has instructed you that nobody is to go through the home without signing in.
- If you need to check some type of photo Identification at the door then so be it. If someone really wants to view the home then they should be willing to understand this security request.
Another thing I have heard one of my agents doing is using a tablet to have them sign in. Many people enjoy seeing technology being used and having them sign in using an iPad or any other Tablet may help as well. Whatever it takes to get them to give you some information the better.
Make sure you tell your Vendor to have all valuables moved to a locked safe or off premises at a friends or relatives house. Walk the house quickly before you hold it open, removing any obvious valuable like jewelry, video games, laptops and tablets.
Staying in control during the Open House.
One rule I had during my open houses, was to have a sign I could tape to the front door if it got really busy. The sign stated that viewings would be done one family at a time. As soon as the second family showed up for the open house or if I knew I had a HOT property and there were going to be many people coming, I taped the sign to the front door and Locked it!
That way, people started forming a line outside the front door and I walked each family through the house one at a time. This also gives me a chance to ask good questions and hopefully push for an appointment the following day in my office. However, now I’m able to watch the people closely while pointing out the great features of the home.
It’s very important to maintain control of the home, so have a sign ready in your bag just in case you get more than 1 family at a time. You can quickly put out the sign and lock the door.
Another thing you can, do if open house theft is a big problem in your neighborhood, is to use a sign out front of the home stating that Photo ID will be checked at the door. Again, if the Buyers are serious about the home they will be willing to produce their Identification for you before viewing the home.
Remember, we should be doing whatever it takes to keep the home safe.
Good Luck!
PLEASE leave a comment below to let us know your first hand experience and don’t forget to share, I really appreciate it.
Thanks!
Marty Green
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Thanks for this post. This weekend I had my first issue with theft at an open house. I will be carrying a sign with me and using the 1 family at a time method.
I hope you didn’t have anything stolen. I found the sign to be the best method for me. Just keep it in your bag at all times with a magnet or some tape so you can attach it to the front door. Works like a charm.