Hosting a show house is one of the best tools in an estate agent’s arsenal. It brings out the competitor in any buyer, which could ultimately lead to higher sales prices.
Unfortunately, it does also come with a degree of security risk. Both sellers and agents will need to be extra vigilant when hosting an open house.
Also read: ‘Never allow someone onto your property without asking questions first’
To help keep everyone safe, RE/MAX of Southern Africa offered a few safety and security tips for hosting a show house:
• Create a cloud-based attendance register
Keep a detailed record of attendee names including their contact numbers, and emails as well as the location, date, and time of the show house. Share this info with the office admin in a cloud-based file, so somebody has a real-time record of who you were last seen with. Be sure to follow POPIA best practices when recording this information and get permission from the attendees before you use the provided information for further marketing purposes.
• Close doors behind you
As inviting as an open door sounds, it could be a security risk. Rather lock the gate behind you and put up an inviting sign informing the buyers to knock or ring the doorbell to be let in one at a time. Only allow a buyer to enter the home once they have completed the attendance register in full.
Some sellers are also uncomfortable with the idea of letting anyone and everyone into their homes.
Doing an invitation-only show house with a smaller group is the best compromise. To ensure only serious buyers attend, ask your potential buyers to share their pre-approval with you to prove that they can actually afford to purchase the property.
Also read: Fake news, agents and properties on the rise – estate agency
• Switch on location sharing
When showing a home, switch on your phone’s location sharing and broadcast your ongoing location with an office admin, close friend or family member. You can always switch it off afterwards, but in the meantime it could keep you safe by letting people know where you are.
• Be vigilant during the showing
Instruct the homeowner to store valuables in a safe beforehand and to put away any personal items, such as letters or bank statements, to avoid any chances of identity theft. Make sure that you walk behind visitors when showing them the property. This not only will allow you to point out key features of the home without getting in the way, but it will also keep you safe because your back is never turned to the visitors and any suspicious activity will be seen immediately.
• Self-defence tools and classes
Carrying self-defence tools, such as pepper spray and a taser, and taking self-defence classes would be a great addition towards your protection. Another little helpful tool is a personal panic button. You could get one from a security company that comes with an app, but there are also many free apps available to download that are easy to use.
• Prepare your getaway vehicle
As a general safety precaution, your car should always be in good running condition and have at least half a tank of fuel. The last thing you would want to do is not be able to flee from an unsafe situation. Make sure your car is checked regularly and maintenance is done when due. Regularly check the water, oil, and tyre pressure when filling up your car.
As a real estate practitioner, showing a house and making it inviting for potential buyers is a big part of your job. However, your own safety and the safety of your clients are of utmost priority. Never put yourself at risk unnecessarily,” concluded Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, Adrian Goslett.
