Safeguarding a Home Before Showings
Open houses can bring theft and liability risks. Sellers are advised to secure valuables, limit access and use tools to monitor visitors.
NEW YORK — Open houses can expose sellers to theft, damage and liability risks, especially when valuables remain in the home and agents are trying to manage multiple visitors at once.
Jordan Piscioneri of Century 21 Realty Services said, "Home sellers put themselves in a vulnerable position when they list a house," noting that he now uses a "buddy system" to supervise open houses.
Luxury homeowners are even more vulnerable because they have high-end items, such as art, rare wines, collectibles and jewelry. Homeowners can take precautions to protect their assets before an open house.
Chubb Personal Risk Services President Melissa Scheffler recommends that homeowners move their high-value items to offsite storage until the home is sold. Other options include using interior cameras, post-showing checklists, electronic lockboxes to record time of entry and the identity of the buyer's agent, and having agents attend all showings to monitor access and lower the chance of items being pilfered.
For larger homes, having more than one agent present can make it easier to supervise visitors and avoid situations where one person is left managing the entire property alone. Sellers are also advised to be mindful of what appears in listing photos and to secure areas where smaller high-value items, such as wine, can be taken easily.
Source: Wall Street Journal (03/31/26) Friedman, Robyn
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