What Precautions Should I Take When Showing My Home for Sale?
Contributing writer: Thomas Schoenbeck
"Ask your listing agent to get a box of latex gloves and make it required use during showings."
Sellers get nervous about showing their home, understandably. Many questons swirl around their mind when they consider allowing strangers in their home. So, what can you do to safeguard your home and possessions? Whenever you know your home is going to be shown by a Realtor, bringing strangers into your home, here are a few easy things you can do to give you more peace of mind.
Place all medications, over-the-counter and prescribed, out of sight. Don't leave them on your countertop or tabletop. Slip them inside the cabinet. Sight unseen is better than sight temptation. The showing agent will accompany the buyer during their tour, but often times a buyer may need to use the restroom. If medications are on the counter, they're easy to slip in a pocket. If you are gun collector, lock up the firearms and lock away the ammunition. Do not leave them out in visible sight. While this may seem like a no-brainer, there are a lot of gun owners who do not think twice about leaving their firearms propped against a wall, placed in an unlocked cabinet, or even laying on the bed. Don't risk it! If you have cash laying on your dresser, put it away. Don't temp someone with ready cash, and the same goes for jewelry- way too easy to pocket.
Now, how about the health aspects of showing your home, especially at the time of this writing with the pandemic Corona Virus. Ask your listing agent to get a box of latex gloves and make it required use during showings. Turn on all lights and open all interior doors so the buyer does not have to touch door knobs or light switches. And it might be best to leave the home yourself during showings. After the showing, it wouldn't hurt to spray or wipe sanitize the house. Take no risks and do what you can to minimize natural risks.