If you plan to sell your house as a FSBO (FSBO = For Sale By Owner), here are some important safety considerations to follow:

• 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.” Use this

  method 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 home 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 has 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 houses they visited. The couple actually stole over $150,000 worth of valuables.

  If possible, screen all potential buyers via a thorough pre-qualification process before you let anyone

  into your 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. Once inside, one of them will ask to

  use the bathroom and will search for prescription drugs while inside. There is a huge market for such

  drugs. So make certain your prescription drugs are well-hidden before anyone looks at your home.