How to Secure Your North Shore IL Home for a Showing or Open House

Tis the season to sell your home on Chicago's North Shore! Motivated buyers are still present in the real estate market, home prices are rising and more importantly, properties are moving quicker than they have in past years. Listing your home is an excellent idea this fall as buyers may not have found "the one" on their search this summer and yours could be it!

So what comes next? Soon after listing your home in Northbrook, Deerfield, Glencoe, Highland Park or Winnetka, you may find buyers scheduling showings to take a tour or an open house planned and it's important to be prepared.

Follow these tips for securing your home for a showing or open house on the North Shore:

Take your remotes
You may not think about it as you head out the door prior to the showing, but take your remotes with you! Don't take the chance of an open house visitor slipping that garage door opener hanging on a hook in the garage into their pocket. Take all keys, remotes and key FOBs with you or lock them away while you're out of the house.

Secure important documents
If you have a file cabinet or safe in your North Shore home, use it to house birth certificates, financial statements and tax forms, legal, medical and personal documents. The cabinet should be locked during open houses and showings to keep your personal information safe.

Put away valuables 
You have likely heard this before, but it is a good rule of thumb to lock up all valuables when potential homebuyers are touring your home. Place jewelry and other expensive items into a safe or locked cabinet and take electronics—iPads, for instance—with you when you leave. Small electronics like these should not be left sitting on a nightstand.

Check all doors and windows
The real estate agent will walk through your North Shore home to make sure all lights are off and your home is in good condition, but it doesn't hurt to double check. Ensure every window and door is locked when you arrive back home, even those in the basement and on the second floor.

Opening your home to potential buyers is a big decision and as your North Shore real estate agent, it is my priority to ensure your home in the Northbrook, Deerfield, Glencoe, Highland Park and Winnetka areas is safe during a showing or open house. Contact me today to discuss how we can work together to sell your home this fall!

I look forward to hearing from you!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

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