Everyone has a preferred method of marketing to the for-sale-by-owner. One of our most successful methods has always been to offer the owners free information. The security tips listed below are particularly effective, as they plant a seed in the owner’s mind about the advisability of allowing strangers into the house.

I run ads in my local newspaper and real estate magazine offering these free tips. I give owners a toll-free number they can call to request the tips, and when they call in my call-capturing system gives me their phone number. I put these people into my customized FSBO database. I check back with the FSBOs on a regular basis to keep track of their progress in marketing their home. After using this system so long I have a pretty good feel for when they’re ready to list.

Home Selling Security Tips for the For Sale By Owner

• For your own safety never set an appointment with anyone to see your home unless they have given you their name and number and you have called back to verify that number. An easy way to do this is to say, “Let me check with my husband/wife for the best time and I will call you back.” Even if you are not married.
• Never let potential buyers know your schedule. Don’t ever tell them when you won’t be at home, when your spouse won’t be home, when you pick up the kids, when you work, when you will be on vacation, etc.
• Never give a caller information about your home’s security such as deadlock bolts, security systems, and so forth.
• Always have a back-up plan when you allow strangers into your home, especially if you have children. Have a neighbor look out for you until the lookers have gone.
• Never let a stranger into your house without seeing some identification. If the person says he/she is a real estate agent, ask for a card then call his/her office to verify the information if you don’t recognize the person.
• Keep a log of everyone who’s looked at your house. Get their name, telephone number, address, car description, tag number, and any additional information that could be helpful in the event of a future burglary. All of these people would be suspects.
• If you make a flyer to advertise your home, don’t include any information that might breech security.
• Remove from sight all valuables including guns, jewelry, silverware, and collections. Recently there was an incident in South Florida where a couple was going around with a real estate agent and stealing things from the houses they visited. The couple actually stole over $150,000 worth of valuables. We screen all potential buyers through a thorough pre-qualification process before we let anyone into a listed home.
• Never leave strangers alone and watch their every move while they’re in your home.

One of the latest scams, according to Real Estate Today magazine involves prescription drugs. A nice looking, clean-cut couple will make an appointment to view your house. When they get inside, one of them will ask to use the bathroom and will search for prescription drugs while in there. There is a huge market for such drugs especially since the new drug Viagra hit the market. So make sure your prescription drugs are well hidden before anyone looks at your home.

Then I close with "These tips are compliments of Jerry Fowler and the Results Team Realtors," with my phone, web site address and email address.

Published: April 12, 2000

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.