The Toronto Open House...pro's and con's

Whether you're buying or selling, this is a very good time to get into Toronto's real estate market. With limited inventory in the more desirable neighbourhoods, many sellers are receiving multiple offers for their properties while buyers can still take advantage of today's lower interest rates. Whether you are downsizing or looking for your first home, it makes financial sense to buy a house in Toronto now. 

Drive through any Toronto neighbourhood (Riverdale, High Park, Leslieville, Cabbagetown or Moore Park to name a few) on any given weekend, and you can't help notice all of the open house signs that dot Toronto streets and street corners. It's tempting to stop and take a look.  Thousands of people flock to these open houses each weekend - actual home buyers and people who just want to take a look.

The open house provides Toronto home Sellers with a great opportunity to get interested Buyers into their house but, as is true with every sales approach, there are pros and cons to opening the door of your home to allow strangers to walk around your house.

Toronto is a big city, and not everyone that comes through the door is looking at the floor plan of your home! Recently there have been news reports of a few unscrupulous people posing as interested home "buyers" and then helping themselves to the homeowner's valuables.  While this is a rare occurrence in Toronto, your professional Realtor takes the safety of your home and your belongings very seriously. 

Your Realtor works hard to ensure that he/she is aware of who is in your home at all times but it may not always be possible to be with all the house hunters walking through your house at any given time.

In preparation for your open house ask your Realtor what you can do to ensure the safety of your home and your belongings. Suggestions might include:

Secure your Valuables

Remove items of monetary and/or sentimental value from your home or secure them out of public view

Smaller items that can be grabbed quickly and easily concealed are targets

Let your Realtor know of any items that you can't move

Itemize and Record Valuables

Many insurance companies suggest that you maintain and up-to-date inventory of your more expensive items and valuables 
Work with your realtor to ensure that he/she is aware of any areas in your home or items that you feel might be of particular interest to a potential thief.

An experienced Toronto Realtor will most likely incorporate a few different approaches to marketing your home.  Traditionally, hosting an open house has been a very important part of the process.  In combining the traditional open house with the marketing power of the internet, your Realtor will get your message out to thousands of people who are on the hunt for property in any downtown Toronto neighbourhood.  Talk to an experienced Toronto Realtor about the best options for you.