What Should You Do With Your Pets and Valuables During a Home Showing?

What Should You Do With Your Pets and Valuables During a Home Showing?

When you’re getting your home ready to sell, there are a lot of things to think about. One thing that might not be at the top of your list is what to do with your pets and valuables. But it’s important to have a plan in place for both. Here are some tips on how to handle both.

What Should You Do With Your Pets and Valuables During a Home Showing?

You should never leave pets or valuables at home when you’re leaving for a showing. The primary reason for this is that you never know who a real estate agent is bringing into your home; you don’t know the agent, either.

With that said, what are you supposed to do? The following sections explain.

What to Do With Pets During a Showing

The best option is to take your pets with you when you leave for a showing. If that’s not possible, ask a friend or neighbor if they can watch your pets while your home is being shown.

Another solution is to board your pets. This way, you don’t have to worry about them – and you can also ensure that potential buyers won’t suffer an acute allergic reaction in your home (or be so afraid of your pets that they won’t complete a tour).

Pets you should take with you include any that can walk around without living in a cage; caged pets (such as hamsters, mice or guinea pigs); and snakes and reptiles in an enclosure. You don’t have to take fish with you, which would be a logistical nightmare.

Related: 5 home staging secrets for sellers

What to Do With Valuables During a Showing

When it comes to valuables, your best bet is to remove them from your home before showings. This includes things like jewelry, cash, important documents, and other items that could be tempting for someone to steal.

If you can’t take your valuables with you, be sure to hide them in a secure spot. A safe would be a good option, or you could put them in a locked closet or cabinet.

Related: Should you hire a home inspector if you’re selling a home?

What to Do With Firearms During a Showing

If you have firearms in your home, it’s important to take precautions with them as well. You should remove all firearms from your home before showings. If that’s not possible, make sure they are locked up and out of sight.

Indiana Laws on Transporting Firearms

If you do need to transport firearms during a showing, it’s important to know and follow the laws in Indiana. According to Indiana law, you can transport a firearm if:

  • The gun is unloaded and enclosed in a case
  • The ammunition is stored in a separate container from the gun
  • The gun is not directly accessible from the passenger compartment of the vehicle
  • You have a valid license to carry a handgun if the gun is accessible from the passenger compartment of the vehicle

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