Should I leave valuables at home?
🚨 Want a fast sale but worried about theft? Here’s the blunt answer: don’t leave valuables at home while selling.
Quick, click-worthy question: Will leaving jewelry, cash, or electronics in the house cost you more than convenience?
Quick answer
If you’re selling while living in the home, remove or lock up valuables. Open houses and showings invite many strangers through your space. That increases risk. Protect what matters and avoid a headline you don’t want.
Why removing valuables matters
- Increased traffic = higher risk. Every showing is another person with access. Some are buyers. Some are not.
- Opportunistic crime happens during showings and staging. Contractors, cleaners, or even a single distracted agent can create openings.
- Insurance gaps. Homeowner policies don’t always cover high-value items during frequent public access.
What to remove or secure
- Jewelry and heirlooms. Take them with you or lock them in a safe-deposit box.
- Cash and prescription meds. Never leave unsecured.
- High-end electronics and cameras. Remove when possible or store in locked closets.
- Important documents (passports, wills, financial records). Keep off-site or in a locked safe.
How to protect items you can’t take with you
- Use a bolted safe for small valuables. Install before listing if possible.
- Rent temporary storage for furniture or high-value items you want out of photos.
- Use a lockbox or smart lock for keys; restrict who has access.
- Photograph and inventory valuables. That helps insurance claims if needed.
Show-ready security tips
- Remove small but tempting items from countertops and visible areas.
- Store valuables in a locked room when a showing is scheduled.
- Ask your agent for supervised showings or set very specific viewing windows.
- Use motion sensors or a temporary security camera (make sure you follow local privacy rules).
Cost vs risk: the simple math
A few hours to pack or rent storage beats replacing jewelry, electronics, or irreplaceable family items. Risk management is part of a smart sale strategy. Buyers won’t care about your loss. You’ll carry the cost and the stress.
Why this matters for your sale
Homes staged clutter-free sell faster and for more. Removing valuables not only protects them — it improves photos, boosts buyer focus, and shortens time on market.
Final checklist
- Remove high-value items off-site
- Lock remaining valuables in a bolted safe
- Photograph and inventory everything
- Schedule supervised showings
- Consider temporary storage for staging
Need an experienced agent who enforces safety and sells fast? Tony Sousa is a local realtor who guides sellers through secure showings and staging. Contact Tony: tony@sousasells.ca | 416-477-2620 | https://www.sousasells.ca
Act now: remove what matters before the first showing. Protect your stuff. Protect your sale.
