The National Association of Realtors designates September as Realtor Safety Month. This rings a bell for every Real Estate agent across the country on the importance of being safe while marketing your property. Not only is this important to evaluate our safety practices as realtors, it is also equally important to point the safety practices out to our home buyers and sellers.

Safety in real estate begins at home, especially when you are listing your property for sale. Social media has dominated the home marketing industry over the last five years and your house becomes a target for attention as soon as it hits the airwaves. To ensure that the listing experience is safe, we recommend the following steps:

1. Remove personal items during showings. Items like prescription drugs, personal mail, spare keys and family photos need to be put away or removed entirely for your privacy and security.

2. Family pictures: Although it’s nice to decorate your home with family pictures, these pictures will be very visible on all of the websites and social outlets when marketing the property.

3. Identity theft. Protect your personal information! Your personal information may contain sensitive information so it’s wise to secure all of the personal mail, passports, drivers license, health insurance information and Social Security cards, so take precautions.

4. Secure your valuables: Items of high-value, such as firearms, jewelry and cash, should be securely locked up or stored during showings to prevent theft.

5. Home security system: Today’s home security systems have all the bells and whistles! Video surveillance can capture all activity during showings. Let real estate agents know that you have cameras inside the dwellings to make sure that there are no issues with the buyer.

6. Lock up your home before showings: make sure before the showings that all of your doors and windows are locked up. It’s an easy way to maintain security. The majority of agents in the Ohio Valley have a Supra lock box app on their phones to enter in to the dwelling. The Supra lock box system is a great safety feature. Once the real estate agent enters in the code to retrieve the key, it sends a message to the listing agent that they are entering into the home.

If you have pets, it is much easier to have them removed during the showings to prevent any mishaps. You are responsible for them. Should your dog or cat pose a threat to a potential buyer, you will be the one held liable.

Avoid showing property yourself and rely on your real estate agent’s expertise. If someone knocks on the door, the best thing you can do is kindly guide them to contact your agent for a showing.

It also is crucial to prioritize safety!

Not all buyers have good intentions. While the marketing of your home is very exciting, homeowners should consider safety as the number one priority. By taking these safety measures, you can protect yourself and your property, and everyone involved.

The fall season is one of the busiest seasons in the real estate industry. It’s important to be safe!

Thank you.

Lee C. Paull IV is a broker licensed in West Virginia and Ohio with Paull Associates Insurance/Real Estate in Wheeling.