Ask Phyllis is a blog series of frequently asked real estate questions. Have a question about real estate? Email us here
Open House Thefts
Dear Phyllis,
Three years ago, we listed our home for sale, but it did not sell because we priced it a bit too high. During the first open house, someone stole my Rolex. I did not leave it in plain sight—it was inside my dresser drawer. When I told my Realtor®, he treated the situation as if it were my fault. I now plan to sell my home again, but I feel concerned about another theft. Do I need to hold open houses? If I do, can I stay at home during them? And if I agree to open houses, what security steps should my Realtor take? Reluctant Seller
Dear Reluctant Seller,
Two very different types of open houses exist: broker open houses and public open houses.
Realtors hold broker open houses, often called caravans, on a set weekly schedule. In La Cañada and La Crescenta, agents typically tour homes on Tuesdays; in Glendale, on Wednesdays; and in Pasadena and Burbank, on Thursdays. During these events, Realtors® regularly tour properties and often bring clients or share listings with them afterward. Because agents understand professional norms and watch for suspicious behavior, theft rarely occurs during broker previews.
Public open houses carry more risk, but the industry has adapted. Many agents now shorten open house hours to reduce opportunity and control traffic flow. A two-hour open house, for example, creates a steady stream of visitors, which makes it difficult for anyone to access private areas such as bedrooms or dresser drawers without being noticed.
To address your questions directly:
Do you have to have open houses? No, but in today’s internet-driven society, open houses sell homes. Gone are the days of home buyers driving aimlessly around the city looking for open house signs. Today’s buyer has researched your home online, and your open house is more accurately a second showing. So let’s focus on you hiring an agent who will be more watchful the next time around.
Can I remain at home? It’s your home; you can do whatever you want. But my experience has taught me that polite buyers will be very uncomfortable looking, opening, and commenting when viewing your home. This leaves you with buyers who will have no embarrassment – not your first choice of who you would like to be in escrow with.
What security steps should my Realtor take? Short duration is an important step. If you have a two-story home (or large home), insist on a second agent or assistant helping to keep a watchful eye.
Fortunately, open house thefts are not common, and I am sorry that you were one of its rare victims. Keep in mind that in addition to jewelry, thieves are also looking for prescription drugs and to steal your identity. Now that you are armed with these answers, when you interview real estate agents next time around, ask them what steps they will take to ensure the safety of your home and its contents during any open houses. Best of luck to you in your sale.
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