FSBO Open House Saftey Tips in Pineville La.

I can’t stress safety enough these days.  We’ve all heard stories on the news about real estate agents who are lured to a vacant listing and are raped, robbed and murdered.  I’m sure you’re thinking “Surely I’m safe in my OWN home?”

Don’t be so sure. 

Did you realize that FSBO sign in your front yard is an invitation for anyone to ask to come into your home?  That includes those with not-so-great intentions.  In today’s world it’s not so hard to imagine a thief posing as a prospective buyer and getting YOU to give him a tour of YOUR home so he can see first hand if there’s anything of value. 

Here are a few tips to help keep you safe:

Attempt to have a buyer pre-qualify before showing them your home.  It’s the easiest way to have more information about them and see if they are serious.

Obtain contact information BEFORE the showing.

When possible have at least two people present when showing your house.  If you are alone invite a friend over to be present.

Chose a designated friend (not someone IN your home) to notify of the showing and check with after the showing.  Make sure you give them the buyer’s information in case there is a problem they can notify authorities.

Remove or put away valuables including jewelry, cash, credit cards and any collectibles.

For more Tips and or Advice contact JoAnn Deville Smith 318.451.2385
 or click here JoAnn's FSBO Services


Licensed in the State of Louisiana. Each KW office is independently owned and operated.

                                    318.619.7796  3600 Jackson St Ext  Alexandria la 71303

How to Prepare for a Home Inspection

How to Prepare for a Home Inspection

If you are in the process of selling your home, the new buyer will usually have your home inspected before the final sale.  This can be a nervous experience for both the buyer and seller since the home inspection can make the sale fall through or sale price reduced if the home is not in as good of shape as it appears.  Keep in mind that the potential buyer often accompanies the inspector during the home inspection.  Before your home is inspected, make sure to do the following:

1)  Repair anything that is broken and remove any signs of previous repairs. If you had a water leak under your sink that has been fixed, make sure the bottom of the cabinet does not have water stains. If you repaired something behind a wall, make sure the wall patch blends in perfectly to the existing wall. If you repaired something under the grass in your back yard, make sure the grass has been replaced so there are no signs of any repairs. If you do a repair to your home, make sure to do a permanent repair, not just a temporary fix that might cause concern with the home inspector.

2)  Make sure there are no bugs or insects in or around your home. Treat for ants and other bugs several days before the home inspection. Make sure there are no ant beds, spider webs, or any other signs of current or previous bug issues in your home.

3)  Make your entire home accessible to the home inspector, such as leaving a pet in a certain room and asking for the home inspector to not to enter the room. If the home inspector can't access an area, he/she can't do a proper home inspection. The inspector and potential buyer may be concerned that you are trying to hide something.

4)  Clean your home well before the home inspection. An unclean home is not a well maintained home, which will cause concern for the potential buyer. Make sure to clean inside your closets, inside your appliances (especially the microwave), your baseboards, your window blinds, your light fixtures, and everywhere else that may not get cleaned every week.  Always install fresh air filters in your return air vents before the home inspector arrives. Do not use strong fragrances inside your home because it may seem that you are trying to disguise a foul odor.

5)  Do not try and conceal or disguise anything from the home inspector because this is unethical.

                     For More Tips or Help Selling your Home .... FSBO Support Services

         Licensed in the  State of Louisiana, Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.