Important things to consider when showing your home.

Not everyone that is house hunting is honest. Some people are tempted to steal items that catch their eye. One of the most important steps in readying your home for the market is to protect your valuables from strangers passing through. Here are some important things to consider:

Believe it or not, one of the most commonly "lifted" items is prescription drugs. Remove all prescription meds from each bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen.

Weapons and cash are also easy to steal, so find a place to stash them that's off the premises.

Technology - those iPads, laptops, smartphones, smart speakers, smartwatches, earbuds, etc. are popular with thieves. Remove them or lock them up.

I strongly suggest that you password-protect any tech items that are too large or inconvenient to remove from the home, such as a desktop computer.

Remove valuable artwork and other items of value from the home before the photographer snaps the listing photos.

Lock up bills, letters, and anything else that may have identity information, such as social security numbers, driver's license numbers, dates of birth, Wi-Fi, or computer passwords.

The National Association of Realtors suggests that you also remove family photos.

Always PROTECT your HOME, your VALUABLES, and your FAMILY...especially while your home is on the market!