5 tips for a safe ‘open house’ event – Consult with a Vancouver Mortgage Broker

(NC)—Hosting an ‘open house’ is an effective real estate sales tool that your agent will likely recommend, but how can you be sure your security will be kept in check?

“Ask your Realtor questions about how to prepare for visitors,” says Carla Bouchard, a broker with Royal LePage Metro. “Make sure that you understand what occurs during the open house and how to safeguard your possessions and your home.”

Bouchard recommends the following five safety tips as you prepare for the event: 1. Put away items of value. Stow away items such as jewelry and family heirlooms. Store prescription drugs in a location other than your medicine cabinets. 2. Ask your Realtor if they plan to escort people through your home. By giving guided tours to one small group at a time, you won’t lose track of the visitors. 3. Keep personal documents out of view. Documents containing financial or personal information should be put away to give you peace of mind when it comes to your privacy. 4. Take inventory of any remaining personal property. Make notes or take photographs of items that you were not able to store and share them with your Realtor prior to your open house. 5.Find out if visitors will be asked for identification. Keeping a list of visitor information is not only a useful safety tip; it also provides a list of prospects to follow up with. An open house is an opportunity to market your investment to a wide range of potential buyers and it can be a rewarding experience if executed wisely. More information on open houses can be found at www.royallepage.ca.

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