It’s easy to show off your home’s best features in this relaxed environment. If your house has a gourmet kitchen, hire a chef to cook for the attendees. If you have a spectacular outdoor living space, plan an outdoor barbecue with all the fixings of a fun summer day. Just the prospect of free food can bring a crowd. Don’t be too concerned if you get a lot of “looky- loos” who aren’t really interested in buying. People talk and there is honestly no better advertising than word-of-mouth. OPEN HOUSE SAFETY AND PRECAUTIONS Not everyone who shows up to tour the home has home hunting on their mind. Making buyers feel at home is one thing. Openly inviting them to help themselves to your valuables is another. Pack up the jewelry, silver, computers, and other valuables and put them in the trunk of your car to stay safe with you as you drive away. There have been incidents over the years in which sellers and/or real estate agents have been harmed during open houses. It is extremely important to take all safety precautions seriously and to remain vigilant throughout the event. SECURITY CHECKLIST The following is a list of security measures that will keep you safe: ✓ Never host an open house alone. If your home is multi-level, post someone on each level. ✓ Determine “escape routes” out of every room. Make sure all deadbolts are unlocked to avoid being trapped. ✓ Always walk behind prospective buyers and don’t give anyone a chance to get behind you. ✓ Confirm in advance that your phone is fully charged, has good reception, and has 911 stored for easy access on a locked screen. ✓ Trust your gut. If you feel like something is not right, get out as fast as you can. ✓ Remove all prescription drugs, mail, jewelry, extra sets of keys, electronics, laptops, tablets, financial statements, etc. Secure your purse and wallet somewhere out of sight and reach.
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