Not everyone who is house hunting is honest. Some people are tempted to steal items that catch their eye. One of the most critical steps in preparing your home for the market is to protect your valuables from strangers passing through.
- Believe it or not, one of the most commonly “lifted” items is prescription drugs. Remove all prescription medication from each bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, or any accessible area.
- Weapons and cash are also easy to steal. Attempt to secure them in a secure safe or keep them off-premises.
- Technology – those iPads, laptops, smartphones, smart speakers, smartwatches, earbuds, etc. – are popular with thieves. Remove them or lock them up.
4. We suggest that you password-protect any tech items that are too large or inconvenient to remove from the home, such as a desktop computer- cybercrime is real and can occur in seconds.
5. Remove valuable artwork and other items of value from home before the photographer snaps the listing photos.
6. Lock up bills, letters, and anything else that may have identity information, such as social security numbers, driver’s license numbers, bank accounts, date of birth, and Wi-Fi, or computer passwords.
7. The National Association of REALTORS® suggests that you also remove family photos.
Reach out to us at charles@martino-realty.com for additional tips on how to ensure your home is secure while on the market.