The house is listed. It is online with the MLS and various other websites. The sign and informational box is in the yard. You are planning for your open house.

You de-cluttered, cleaned, and painted the house prior to you and your REALTOR signing the listing contract. Nothing is out of place and your kitchen looks like a model home kitchen. You are open for business and ready for an open house.

Not so fast. There are a few more things you may need to consider before you and your REALTOR hold your home open to the public.

There are some things we don’t think consider prior to holding an open house. Consider securing removable items at another location. We are hoping that everybody who walks through the house with our agents have good intentions. Keep in mind we need to be prepared for the ones who do whatever it takes to get their hands on things that we own.

Medications for instance. Most of us store our medications in an obvious and easy to find place. Either a kitchen or bathroom cabinet. Easy for us to get to and for other to find as well. One of the fastest growing and most common drug addiction is to over the counter or prescription medications. To avoid the possibility of potential buyers getting their hands on any of your medications, consider locking them up in a secure place.

Another item you should store in a secure location are your valuable items like jewelry. Many of us just take our rings, necklaces, or watches off and put them into a tray next to the bed or on the dressing table. Let’s make it a habit to store them in a locked and secure place.

For other ideas on how to prepare for an open house or any question about buying or selling real estate contact the Settles Team.