You’ve made the decision: It’s time to move. This is both an exciting and stressful time. You’re busy staging your home, making sure everything is looking fresh and ready for a new buyer.

But have you considered everything when it comes time to putting your home on the market?

Consider the risks

The Colorado market is hot right now, which makes it the perfect time to show a home. This is great news for anyone considering moving. Whether they are downsizing, or even thinking of buying one of these colorado ranches for sale and enjoying life in the country, now is a good time to put a house up for sale. However, putting your home on the market does come with a few risks – some that you can avoid by being a little more careful.

When asked the question, “Is there anything people need to do to keep their home safe when it’s on the market?” Patrick Finney of FINN Real Estate had this helpful insight:

“It’s important for people to take the time to hide their valuables,” explains Patrick Finney. “While we would all like to think that the home is the only thing people are looking at when they walk in the door, you should be cautious about people who will take advantage of the homeowner being absent.”

What about properties listed online?

“It’s crucial that people do their research,” says Patrick. “One of my clients experienced a ‘ghost listing’ on Craigslist this year: fraudulent criminals stating that a particular home is for rent and taking the rent check, depositing it, and then disappearing.”

The bottom line?

“While it’s enticing to sell a home on your own, it’s really important to have a professional in your corner,” says Patrick Finney. “One who is aware of who is entering your home for showings and who can advise you and make the process as seamless as possible.”

Patrick Finney is the owner and managing broker of FINN Real Estate in Denver, Colorado. He has been named a Five Star Agent by 5280 Magazine and has over 13 years of industry experience with $240,000,000 of real estate sold. He is an active supporter of many non-profits, including the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.