In recent court filings, a Beverly Hills realtor was accused of encouraging an accomplice to steal jewelry, artwork and other items during open houses at celebrities’ homes . According to the complaint, the burglar would sign in at an open house pretending to be a realtor and then burglarize the residence as he walked through the home.

A Los Angeles County District Attorneys press release says that the thieves targeted mansions in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Brentwood and the Hollywood Hills.

Protecting Your Home When It’s Up For Sale. When homeowners decide to sell their home, they put their trust in their realtor.  Realtors are professionals and the majority would never think of stealing from you. Nonetheless, check references before selecting a realtor. But what about others who come in and out of your home while it’s on the market?

Lock Up Valuables. A basic rule of thumb when putting your home up for sale is to remove all jewelry, cash, collectibles, guns, portable electronics, important papers and valuable artwork . Hide prescription drugs and any paperwork that contains security passcodes.

Show By Appointment Only. Some realtors put a “lock box” containing the home’s key on the front door, enabling other realtors with access to the box to enter and show the property. Ask that your realtor be present at all showings and only by appointment. As another layer of security, ask potential buyers to show proof of being be pre-approved to purchase the home prior to seeing the property.

Add Home Security Cameras. Add visible security cameras inside and out. Include signage stating that your home is under 24-hour surveillance.

Open House Security Guards. If the property is high-end, consider stationing security guards in and around your property during an open house. When the realtor is escorting would-be buyers through the home, the open house security guard can remain with other potential buyers at the entrance until the realtor is free. This measure helps ensure that no one is able to roam around the home unattended.

To request a security quote, give Access Control Security a call at 877-482-7324 or Click Here to Get a Quote.