In identical fashion, there is still no substitute for buyers actually walking through a home for sale.

We’d love to think that we can make the entire process virtual. Savvy listing agents have learned that the more pictures and information they post online, the better a home’s exposure and chances for a sale. As an example, just a few short years ago our MLS (Multiple Listing Service) could only facilitate one picture per listing. Then it moved up to 9. Just recently, the ante has been upped to 30. Add in virtual tours and the like and it’s possible to go armchair shopping with your iPad or smart phone from the comfort of your family room armchair.

In the words of a buyer as we were recently touring a home: “Those online pictures put a LOT of lipstick on this pig.”

Even with all our technological advances, there’s still a need … for boots on the ground. A great way to accomplish this is the ubiquitous “Open House.” Although many doubt the effectiveness of Open Houses in the new internet-based real estate world, buyers still need to get inside homes, walk through all the rooms, see what’s behind Door #2, check out the closets, garage and even open cabinet doors and drawers to ensure everything is working as it should. Ironically, many agents in our area are starting to push their buyers towards open houses, thinking that if a buyer can visit a home without them, they can be off doing something else. I disagree with this approach, but it is gaining popularity.

Allowing visitors to poke through Open Houses and peer into every nook and cranny can cause serious problems for unwary sellers.

The primary issue with Open Houses is the inability to control who comes to visit. It’s common knowledge that looky-loo neighbors swarm to open houses like ants to a church picnic. Others, however, target Open Houses with more than idle curiosity – they come to see what they can steal. Some come to scope out the home – if they see things they like, such as expensive art, they’ll monitor the house and come back later. And sellers, if not properly trained, can unwillingly contribute to the removal of their own valuables. While recently visiting an open house in an upscale neighborhood, I spotted the seller’s diamond-studded NBA championship ring sitting in plain view for all to see … on the master bathroom counter. I took it downstairs and handed it to the listing agent, who almost had a seizure.

Whether a planned robbery or crime of opportunity, the end result is still the same – the items are gone and the sellers are victims.

To lessen the potential for our own listings, we made a decision a number of years ago to train our sellers to protect themselves and their valuables during the sale of their home. Prior to going on the market, we provide a Security Coaching Session and a Detailed Checklist to ensure our sellers are protected as much as possible.

Here are the top 12 ways Sellers can protect their home while on the market:

1.   Remove All Identifiers:

All family pictures, awards, certificates should be removed. You want guests to look at your home, not your family pictures. And you most certainly don’t want to give away your personal information by proudly displaying it on a wall where someone can take a discrete picture of it with their phone and then use the information later for harmful purposes – such as setting up a false credit card account in your name.

2.   Remove All Valuables:

Locate them in an off-site secure location. You are going to need to pack all of your belongings to move anyway – we suggest that you start now. Art, knick-knacks … anything you value.

3.   Remove Obvious Targeted Items:

Make sure items such as jewelry boxes, safes, strongboxes, gun safes and other obvious targeted items are packed in an offsite, secure location.

4.   Remove Prescription Drugs:

Take them with you when you leave the house. Have them in a box or container and simply keep them in the trunk of your vehicle while you are gone. Prescription drugs are the #1 target for thieves and frequently the easiest items to take – they will often lock the door to the bathroom as if they are using the facilities and then go through everything unhindered.

5.   Remove Extra Keys, Garage Door Openers:

Or any other devices that will provide access to your home. Frequently they are left lying around or are hanging in a place where someone could grab them and stash them in their pocket.

6.   Secure Financial and/or Legal Documents:

Credit card or banking statements, legal documents, wills, insurance policies, etc. Make sure that any documents that will give away personal information are properly safeguarded.

7.   Secure All Electronics:

Turn off computers. It’s also a good idea to make sure they are password protected. Remove extra laptops, cell phones, iPads (any tablets), thumb drives, portable hard drives and any other personal electronic devices.

8.   Secure Desks or Filing Cabinets:

If there is anything important inside (blank checks, anything with personal information, etc.), lock them and keep the keys in a safe location.

9.   Check EVERY Drawer and Cabinet Door:

Open every single one everywhere in the home to ensure there is nothing valuable inside. This includes furniture drawers such as a dresser in the master bedroom.

10.  Refrain From Leaving Out Any Cash, Jewelry, Small Valuables:

Anything you personally value that can be picked up with one hand. As an example, I’m amazed at how many times I see cash laying out in plain view in the master bedroom.

11.  Items Up and Out of Children’s Way:

Unfortunately, parents frequently let children roam through the house on their own or don’t hang onto them as they should. Additionally, make sure all toys – especially in children’s rooms – are up and out of reach. There are many reasons you don’t want visiting children playing with your children’s toys, including health and safety issues.

12.  Check EVERY Window and Door Upon Returning Home:

Make sure they are all properly secured. A ‘visitor’ may unlatch a window or door, hoping to return later and have easy access. Include the side door to the garage, if applicable.

Thieves targeting open homes frequently come in pairs: one keeps the open house agent busy while the other roams freely throughout the home looking for items to steal. While we’ve never had a theft from any of our listings, we understand that it could happen in a heartbeat and so we continue to work hard to prevent it from happening for the first time. We recommend you do the same.

Be wary and safe: you lose your privacy when selling your home – make sure you don’t you’re your valuables as well.