Security Risks When Selling Your Home

What security risks are associated with putting your house up for sale?

If your house is on the market and it's empty, the chances are that people are going to find out it's empty, so therefore there is a security implication. If you're worried about it, you can tell your estate agent and ask him to pop in more often to have a look at it. You can put a couple of lights in there on a timer so it gives the appearance that the house is being lived in. And if you're worried about a 'for sale' board giving away the fact that it's on the market and there's nobody living in it, you can ask for there not to be one.

If my home is on the market, am I more likely to be burgled?

If your property is on the market there is definitely a security aspect to it. If you're not living in it there is a much higher chance of your being burgled. So if you're not living in the property you need to be careful with leaving lights on; have lights on timers so that they come on and off. I think you need to be popping in every now and then to check that everything is OK in the property and that it is not being left alone to long.

Should I give my estate agent a key to my home?

Giving a key to your estate agent is vital so that they can get access to the property as easily as possible. And there obviously are security implications that go with that. When you initially employ your estate agent, you need to be sure it's someone you trust. If it's someone you trust you shouldn't worry about the security implications.

Is it dangerous having my property's details on the internet?

I don't think it's dangerous having your property's details on the Internet, so long as it doesn't advertise the address. I think that most people will look at a property on the Internet and will make a judgment on whether they want to see it or not based on the photographs, not based on the address. So, it's not necessary to put the address on.

When advertising on the internet, should I specify my property's location?

Well, I think you need to be very specific, and the majority of websites these days will have some sort of a location map. The location map will probably put a dot on a couple of streets, so as long as you don't advertise the exact address, no problem.

Is it dangerous having a virtual tour of my property on the internet?

I think virtual tours are a bit dangerous. I think if your property is empty I think they're like a sort of burglar's charter. They can do a nice tour, check out what you've got on your property, ring the estate agent, find out where you live, whether you're there or not, how's it viewed, in they go. So, personally, I don't think that's such a good thing.