{"id":219897,"date":"2019-10-06T06:30:58","date_gmt":"2019-10-06T04:30:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/?p=219897"},"modified":"2019-10-04T15:34:37","modified_gmt":"2019-10-04T13:34:37","slug":"beware-criminals-posing-house-buyers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2019\/10\/06\/beware-criminals-posing-house-buyers\/","title":{"rendered":"Beware of criminals posing as house buyers"},"content":{"rendered":"

A homeowner hoping to sell her home was caught unawares recently when three suspects posing as potential buyers rang her bell asking to see the property.<\/p>\n

The unsuspecting homeowner let the suspects in.<\/p>

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While she showed the one around the others quietly ransacked the home stealing three laptops and a wallet.<\/p>\n

It was only once they had left did the homeowner realise the goods had been stolen.<\/p>

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Security is often an after-thought when selling a home, but in fact should be a priority, said Linda Goodenough, community development manager for Fidelity ADT.<\/p>\n

She confirmed that it is quite common for criminals to pose as buyers and gain easy access to properties.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you have a For Sale sign outside your home, be very cautious about letting in unannounced buyers.<\/p>\n

\u201cRather ask them if you can make an appointment at a later date to come and see the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf they are serious buyers they will come back and then you can ensure you have people in the home to keep an eye on things,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

If you are planning a show day, Goodenough said it is also important for both sellers and agents to take precautions.<\/p>\n

Ahead of the show day, she said it\u2019s important to meet with the agent and to be firm about the arrangements you want in place to safeguard your property and to ensure their safety.<\/p>\n

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ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cIf someone will stand-in for your agent on show day, they should also be in the loop on safety arrangements.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s also a good idea to let your security company know ahead of time that your home will be on show.<\/p>\n

\u201cAsk them to have armed response stop by randomly during the open-house to check that everything is in order.<\/p>\n

\u201cTest your panic buttons,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

She added that it\u2019s also important to let your neighbours know you are having a show day and ask them to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity.<\/p>\n

On the day of the show day, Goodenough advised homeowners to lock away or take any spare keys and other valuables that are small enough to fit into a pocket or handbag.<\/p>\n

\u201cStore large, expensive items in a cupboard that locks and make sure rooms are well-lit by keeping the blinds or curtains open and, where necessary, the lights on,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Agents need to keep the panic button on hand at all times while taking potential buyers around.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you are alone, never leave the front entrance to the house open while you are showing the home.<\/p>\n

\u201cAsk that your visitors to stay with you throughout the viewing to avoid a situation where people wander off unsupervised,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

If possible, she recommended going for a \u2018by-appointment\u2019 option only.<\/p>\n

This way, groups of visitors will be easier to handle.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf this isn\u2019t possible consider having an assistant on the day who can receive prospective buyers while you are taking others around the property,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Both homeowners and agents may also want to look into hiring a guard for the duration of the show day.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany security companies offer a casual guarding service.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe guard could be stationed at the gate to ensure potential buyers are safely let into the property.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s also a deterrent for any criminals who may be targeting the house or the visitors.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of preparation goes into selling a house.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake sure that security is on the list,\u201d said Goodenough.<\/p>\n

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Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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