Sellers Beware - Thefts on the Rise

You work with your Realtor to stage your house to perfection. You plan an open house and leave for the day, leaving your home in the hands of your agent. When you return, you find jewelry or other items missing.

Or perhaps you are doing a For Sale By Owner and you want to hold an open house. A couple days later, you leave for the day and return to an empty house. Someone backed up a truck and took everything of value. They cased your home during the open house and left a window unlocked for later access. It could happen and has happened.

According to a story in the San Francisco Chronicle, these types of theft have been on the rise with the sagging economy

In the East Bay, staged houses have been burglarized in Orinda, while in Piedmont, “the discriminating criminals have made off with bath linens, dressers, upholstered chairs and sofas, table lamps, mirrors and end tables (not to mention the flat-screen televisions).”

Police noticed several aspects of these crimes that should be of interest to sellers and agents.
1. In some cases, the thieves “appeared to have cased the homes during open houses and surreptitiously unlocked a window for future access”
2. Other crimes involved the use of cutting tools to remove lockboxes on the doors
3. Thieves can also remove door handles to get the house key out of the lockbox
4. Online advertising can work against the seller: a clearly staged home also clearly announces the home is vacant

Indeed, going up so much that the Oakland Association of Realtors has developed some tips/warnings for agents and sellers:
1. Use heightened vigilance…..let neighbors know that no one is authorized to take property out of a house
2. Consider an alarm system “to thwart the use of bump keys, a burglary tool illegal in California.”
3. Consider showing homes by appointment only: abolish the Sunday “anyone can come in at all” practice that works so well for thieves.

Perhaps the most important thing you can do to protect yourself is to list your home with a reputable and experienced Realtor, one who knows the neighborhood well, has been working in it for years and who has a strong reputation for honesty and integrity. Handled properly, a home sale can be done safely. Talk to your Realtor about what he or she does to protect your valuable belongings while showing your house. And of course, lock all jewelry, credit cards, checks, sensitive financial documents, prescription medications, and other attractive items away to protect yourself. And never open your home up to a stranger who knocks on your door and asks to see your home. You are perfectly within your rights to refuse and insist the party call your agent for an appointment. And let your neighbors know to keep an eye out for suspicious activity in and around your home. As is often the case, common sense can go a long way towards protecting you, your family, and your possessions. That and a good alarm system.