How safe are open days really?

A recent viral video of a man at an open house is honestly hard to watch. The hidden camera footage, shared by San Diego real estate agent Lina Saba, shows him hurriedly rummaging through a bedroom, moving quickly from drawer to drawer, presumably looking for something valuable. Worst part: It doesn’t look like it’s the first time he’s done this.

While the video is shocking, it turns out real estate professionals aren’t at all surprised. For former real estate agent Tracey Hawkins, the only remarkable thing about this incident is that the man’s actions were caught on camera. “I know this is becoming more common,” says Hawkins, a real estate safety expert and host of REALTOR® Magazine’s “Drive With NAR: The Safety Series” podcast.

The frightening truth is that open houses can be an invitation for thieves, whether now or in the future. Criminals can easily enter and spy on the place. They might, warns Maura Neill, an Atlanta-area real estate agent and founder of Buy Sell Live Atlanta, “secretly unlock a window or leave a door unlocked in the basement or some other location where they hope the agent won’t notice.” , when they lock up for the day.”

Here’s what real estate agents and other experts say about the risks of opening your home to strangers.

Do we still need open days?

Gone are the days when Sunday afternoon open houses were the primary way to show off a property (or, for that matter, spend a Sunday afternoon!). “Before the internet and third-party marketing websites, open houses were the easiest and best way for a buyer to get ahold of a property,” explains Neill. But now? “You can practically experience the house in its entirety before you even open the door!”

With virtual tours, 360-degree views and detailed online listings, Neill says, “the value of an open house to me has decreased.” In fact, in 2023, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that only 4 Percent of buyers found the home they purchased by attending an open house or seeing a yard sign.

That’s not to say that open houses don’t serve a purpose – it may just be that they don’t generate sales. “It’s kind of an industry secret that open houses don’t typically sell a house,” Hawkins says. “The open house is usually designed to appease the seller.” She acknowledges that open houses may be more beneficial in some markets than others — in “hot” markets, for example, they can be a way to get multiple offers quickly to catch up.

Neill agrees that open days may have some advantages (she points to their appeal in walk-up areas where casual visitors might stop by), but she no longer hosts such days herself.

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Take safety precautions seriously

While open houses may be declining in popularity, the prevalence of home security features and “nanny cams” is increasing, meaning a much greater awareness of safety concerns. “Unfortunately, real estate agent security is a major concern,” says Neill. She remembers accompanying clients to an open house and encountering another visitor standing conspicuously close to the agent hosting the event. “You could tell she was uncomfortable,” says Neill. The man left immediately, and Neill remained with the host agent until it was time to lock up for the night. This kind of thing happens all too often, she says, and she recommends that agents never host an open house alone.

NAR’s list of safety tips for real estate agents hosting open houses underscores the importance of such risk management—the tips range from the practical (make sure your cell phone is charged) to the alarming: “Make sure This is the case.” If you escape through the back door, you can also escape out of the backyard. Often yards with swimming pools or hot tubs are surrounded by high fences.”

Make sure your agent is on board

Don’t hesitate to ask your real estate agent about their open house safety protocols and discuss whether even hosting a day is right or necessary for you and your home. “I don’t want people to be afraid,” Hawkins says. “I just want them to be educated, alert and thoughtful.”

Secure your property

It sounds obvious, but homeowners should never leave out valuable personal items. “One time during an exhibition I walked into the master bedroom, into the walk-in closet, and there on the shelf was just a wallet, a wad of cash, a Rolex and some other valuables,” says Neill.

In a word? Don’t do that. “What I advise is that agents instruct homeowners to move valuables out of sight. If people can’t see it, they can’t steal it,” Hawkins says.

Make sure you pack the following:

Jewelry and watches
Prescription medications
Firearms and ammunition
Collectibles and vintage items (Your Star Wars figures are not safe – Neill knows this from experience)
Personal documents and financial information

Take stock

Document what your home looked like before an open house. “Take photos or take videos, so after an open house you won’t say, ‘I thought I had that item there, but I don’t remember exactly,'” Hawkins says. If there is something valuable If you go missing, you can at least file a police report and file an insurance claim.

Use surveillance cameras

Don’t be shy and inform visitors as soon as they enter that there are cameras in the rooms. “It’s ideal to have a surveillance sign right out front that says, ‘Welcome, smile, you’re on camera,'” Hawkins says. She notes that people sometimes resist putting up an “ugly” or “tasteless” sign that ruins the entryway, which is a must (She even designs cute options for picky decorators.)

Go virtual

If you host a virtual open house, there’s a good chance that many more people will see your home than if you had an in-person open house. Another big advantage, according to Hawkins, is that visitors have to register in advance with their contact details. “It’s the modern way of doing things,” Hawkins says. “And the pandemic has shown us that it works!”

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