Open houses are a great way to bring in more attention to your property. Not only do open houses help clients get a feel of the place, they also help them visualize living there. As a real estate professional, what do open houses mean to you? Great way to meet new clients, perfect opportunity to showcase the property’s best features, close deals faster and more. But among all the benefits of open houses is a very real challenge – safety. Check out this list of tips to help ensure the safety of your agents during an open house.
1. Have more than 1 host
Most open houses are manned by one agent. The entry to the showing and the closing is managed and coordinated by this agent. This could lead to something slipping through the crack and could be dangerous. Always have an assistant or another agent to help you host. It will help keep things on track and have more than one set of eyes on the people coming and going.
2. Inform people
You should inform the local police station; they might just drive around the area during the open house. This will give you a sense of security knowing help is nearby and accessible. Inform neighbors and ask them to keep an eye out for you. They will know if something is out of the ordinary. You could also have a call buddy. Inform this person that you will call/text them every hour and if you miss one, they are to call you back.
3. Keep a log
Always have an entry log of the people who come and tour the property. You can request a piece of ID to verify before you let them inside the house. Keep a clicker to track the number of people who entered and your assistant can click the number of people who left. Tally it at the end of the day, this will give you the exact number of people who came and viewed the property.
4. Stowaway valuables
Lock away all valuables in the house. Its best to make an inventory of all valuables and stow away everything that can be moved. It is also important for the agent to place any purse, wallet or valuables in their car trunk. This eliminates any temptation.
It is always a good idea to be safe than sorry. So go ahead and have a great open house but remember to follow these simple steps and stay safe.
