Selling a home can be an exciting yet stressful experience, especially when you decide to go the For Sale By Owner (FSBO) route. It means you have more control over the sale process, but it also means more responsibility. Unfortunately, with this control comes potential risks, including safety concerns. A total stranger can very easily violate that sanctuary.
In recent months, there have been multiple reported incidents of crimes targeting homes being sold by their owners. These crimes include home invasions, burglaries, and robberies during showings or open houses.
And these crimes are limited to a certain part of town, but occur regularly throughout the metro Atlanta area.
Criminals often pose as potential buyers or renters, taking advantage of unsuspecting homeowners who are trying to sell their property independently. Another common tactic is criminals who will attend open houses or showings under false pretenses, just to see what valuables you have, so they come back later, kick in the door, and burglarize the home.
Why Is This a Growing Concern?
When you open your home to strangers, you’re inviting people who may have questionable intentions into your private space. Criminals may research listings, call you, and arrange a viewing, all while concealing their true motives. Unlike real estate agents who vet potential buyers, selling your home by owner often leaves you with minimal protection or professional screening.
Over the past few years there’s been an increasing number of incidents where criminals with past convictions of sexual assault, armed robbery, burglary, and other crimes against property have pretended to be prospective homebuyers in an attempt to gain access to a property, or worse, it’s occupants.
As a real estate agent with over 20 years of experience in this business, I can’t understand why anyone would ever let a total stranger into their home. Sometimes I have to ask people…
Are you crazy?
What is your family worth to you?
Don’t you realize you are allowing total strangers into your house?
Would you let the cable guy or a repairman in without researching who they are?
What about the random people who are driving by your home and calling you at all times of the day, asking to see your house?
Do you stop everything and immediately let them in?
If you know a policeman or anyone working in law enforcement, call them and they’ll tell you, this is how a typical phone call to a For Sale By Owner goes, when you’re being contacted by a criminal:
Stranger on the phone: ‘Hello, I saw an ad for your home this morning and was wondering if you’d be around tomorrow around 2 pm to show it to me?’
Homeowner: “No, I can’t do that, my husband and I will be at work.’
Stranger: Me and my wife really wanted to see it. How about 6 pm?’
Homeowner: “Great. See you then.”
Guess what happens the next day around 2 pm?
Your house is broken into, or something even worse.
Over the course of my real estate career, I’ve heard about this trick getting played countless times on naïve homeowners.
A creative criminal can come up with dozens of things to say to you, in order to get access to you, your kids, or your home. Meanwhile, you’re too busy focused on trying to get your home sold.
As real estate agents, a lot of effort goes into protecting and training us to be safe, and even we still fall victims to crimes sometimes.
That’s why it’s easy for me to ask you, ‘Are you crazy?
Don’t Let Strangers into your House
It doesn’t matter which county you live in.
Fulton, Cobb, Dekalb, Gwinnett, Douglas, Henry, Clayton, Forsyth, Bartow, Rockdale…the stories are all the same.
There’s been an increasing number of crimes targeting homeowners who were trying to sell a home by owner, but instead ended up falling victim to a horrible crime.
The same websites you use to post your home for sale are the same websites that rapists, burglars, sexual predators, murderers, and other criminals use when they are searching for potential victims.
You’re hoping the person on the other end of the phone is interested in buying your home, but in reality, they have other plans in mind for you.
I mean, let’s be real for a minute. Thousands of people have been shot, robbed, and even killed every year because they were trying to sell something like a cell phone, iPad or video game system over the internet? If a criminal is willing to kill you just to steal your cheap, used electronics, what do you think they’re willing to do to get access to your entire house and all its contents?
By attempting to sell your own home, you are basically announcing to would-be criminals exactly where you are and unknowingly turning yourself into a target. You even post pictures of the inside of your home, basically showing off everything you have inside to would-be criminals!!
All that, just to keep from having to pay a real estate commission?
I hate to be so graphic, but unfortunately, this is the dangerous world we live in.
I invite you to go visit any police department in any part of metro Atlanta, have them run a crime report for your area and you’ll quickly learn how fast home invasions, burglaries, and even worse crimes are happening all over the city, especially by people who think it’s safe to advertise their homes for sale without the help of an agent.
And these crimes are not just taking place in the bad parts of town. Criminals aren’t stupid. They get online and see you advertising a home for sale in a nice, upscale area and they start thinking about all the money, expensive jewelry, and electronics they would love to come take from you, even if they have to take your life in the process.
People are crazy these days and you never want to be left alone in your home with a convicted felon who saw your ad over the Internet.
Even real estate agents NEVER show homes to random strangers who call us on the phone. You never know what could happen.
To reduce security risks for our clients, we carefully prescreen all prospective buyers before arranging a showing, to ensure they are sincere and financially qualified to purchase any home we show them.
We make copies of IDs, have their credit pulled by a reputable mortgage lender, and can guarantee that any potential buyer we bring to your home, is ready, willing, and qualified to purchase a home.
As a real estate agent, I would never sell my own home By Owner, and that’s likely because I’ve seen firsthand what could happen to unsuspecting homeowners. There are just too many risks involved and not just your safety.
In the end, making the decision to sell your home By Owner is totally up to you. If you don’t have a problem letting strangers into your home and dealing with whatever could happen, by all means, we wish the best for you.
The safety of you and your family should always be a top priority. As you prepare to show your home to prospective buyers, it’s crucial to take the proper precautions to ensure your safety.
Tips for Protecting Yourself and Your Family While Selling FSBO
- Always Screen Potential Buyers: Before agreeing to show your home, take the time to verify the identity of anyone who calls or expresses interest in your property. A few simple steps can protect you:
- Request a pre-qualification letter from a lender or proof of funds to ensure they are serious buyers.
- Verify the buyer’s identity with a valid ID and phone number before arranging a viewing.
- Consider scheduling viewings with buyers who are working with a realtor, as this provides an added layer of screening.
- Use a service like https://www.forewarn.com/ to help provide you with instant knowledge about the total strangers who contact you.
- Schedule Showings During Daylight Hours: Aim to schedule showings during daylight hours. Not only is this safer for you and your family, but it also allows you to properly assess who is visiting your home. Criminal activity is far more likely to occur after dark when homes are less visible, and homeowners may be less aware of their surroundings.
- Never Show Your Home Alone: If possible, never show your home by yourself. Ask a friend, family member, or even a trusted neighbor to accompany you during the showing. Not only will this make you feel more comfortable, but it can also act as a deterrent to potential criminals who may be watching for opportunities to target a home.
- Set Clear Boundaries During Open Houses: If you’re planning an open house, ensure you set clear boundaries for visitors. Have a designated area where visitors must check in, and consider using a sign-in sheet to document who enters your home. This helps establish a record of who has been through and can be helpful in the unlikely event that something goes wrong.
- Lock Away Valuables and Personal Items: Before allowing anyone into your home, secure all valuable and personal items, such as jewelry, electronics, important documents, and prescription medications. Even in the best of circumstances, people may have different intentions, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
- Use Security Cameras: Installing security cameras around the exterior of your home can act as a deterrent to potential criminals. Inform visitors that security cameras are in use, which can provide an added layer of protection for both you and potential buyers. Many modern security systems also offer remote monitoring, so you can keep an eye on your property when you’re not home.
- Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off about a potential buyer, don’t hesitate to cancel or reschedule the showing. Your intuition is often your best guide when it comes to your safety. Trust it, and don’t feel pressured to show your home to anyone who makes you feel uncomfortable.
- Consider Using a Real Estate Agent or Security Professional: If you’re feeling uneasy about selling your home FSBO or hosting an open house, consider hiring a real estate agent for help. A real estate professional can handle showings, screening of potential buyers, and negotiations, significantly reducing your exposure to safety risks. Alternatively, hiring a professional security guard or using a licensed agent to host the open house can offer peace of mind.
Final Thoughts:
Selling your home without an agent can save you money, but it also requires more vigilance and responsibility. Protecting yourself and your family should always be a priority. By taking these safety precautions, you can reduce the risks associated with showing your home and ensure that the process remains as safe and smooth as possible.
Remember, your home is more than just property—it’s your sanctuary. Take the steps necessary to safeguard it and your loved ones, and don’t hesitate to reach out for professional assistance if you feel it’s needed.
Stay safe, and best of luck with your home sale!
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