'Risk' in advertising listings...

[jessiesc]

I thought I'd start another thread on the topic of 'Risk' to a sellers property.

In another thread regarding a video posting, a member commented on the 'risk' associated with placing a video (or any advertising for that matter) on public sites siting 'risk' to the sellers property.

With that in mind, what are you thoughts?

The way I see it: Any form of advertising whether it be newspaper ad, internet ad, mls listing has the potential to place a proprty at 'risk'.

IMO, there is no way around this and if the client wants their property sold they are assuming the risk of advertising that property for sale whether it is done by an agent or as a FSBO.

Thoughts?

[NealRM]

Anything that singles out a home places it at risk. The scum of the world need little to decide to rob a home.

Since we do take a lot of interior and exterior photo of property, we have a set of guidelines we follow:

1. Avoid taking photos of works of art, gun collections, security systems, and object of high value.
2. If you must photograph these object, remove, blur or replace them in the final photo.
3. Open request replace or blur personnel photos.
4. Only post the address at the request of the agent or owner.
5. Remove, blur or replace any nudity or objectionable objects. (All photos must be G rated)

There are also some general guidelines that agents should tell their clients.

1. If you have a keypad entrance, do not use the default number or the street address.
2. Let your neighbors know what is going on and to be suspicious if someone is in your house without an agent's car in the driveway.
3. Place small objects of high value in a bank lock-box before showing the house.
4. Password protect you computers.

[ResaleBroker]

Excellent topic Jessie. Along the same lines (risk) I'd be interested in reading how agents are responding to inquiries (phone, email, etc.) that ask for the property address so they can drive by and check out the home and/or area.