Protecting Your Home While It’s Listed: A Manhattan Seller’s Security Checklist

Showings help buyers decide whether your house could become their home. They also mean people you do not know will be walking through rooms where you keep things that matter.

A few preparations can make that process more comfortable. For Manhattan, KS home sellers, security belongs in the listing plan alongside photography, pricing, and presentation.

Put valuables somewhere genuinely secure

Before photography and showings, secure jewelry, cash, medications, financial records, checkbooks, spare keys, and small valuable electronics. Firearms and ammunition should be safely secured under appropriate storage practices.

Moving an item from the counter into an unlocked drawer is tidying, not much of a security upgrade. Use appropriate secure storage or arrange another suitable location.

Check papers on desks, refrigerator notes, calendars, and photographs for account information, identifying details, and other information you do not want appearing in listing photos.

Agree on access before the listing goes live

Discuss how showing requests will be handled, who may enter, how keys will be controlled, and what happens when an appointment needs to change.

My handbook emphasizes scheduled access and an electronic lockbox rather than casually sharing a garage or door code. Confirm the actual access arrangements with our team. A lockbox is a control, not a guarantee against every problem.

If you receive a showing request directly from someone you do not know, send it to your agent to coordinate rather than admitting an unexpected visitor.

Plan for pets and your household

Tell us about pets before showings begin. Arrange for them to leave when practical, or agree on clear containment and showing instructions.

Let us know about work calls, appointments, and times when access is unavailable. If you must decline a showing, contact me promptly so we can try to reschedule. The goal is a workable routine—not having your household permanently waiting by the door with shoes on.

Make the final sweep a habit

Before leaving:

• Secure valuables, medications, mail, and sensitive documents.
• Put away spare keys, remotes, and access devices.
• Confirm the agreed arrangements for pets.
• Check that showing instructions reflect any current access issue.
• Make sure the agent knows how to reach you if something changes.

After appointments, check doors and windows and confirm keys or access devices are accounted for. Report damage, an unsecured door, or an unexpected visitor promptly.

Protecting the home and presenting it well can work together

You can make a house welcoming without leaving private information or valuable belongings on display. Clear counters and organized rooms help the presentation; a secure place for personal items helps your peace of mind.

Preparing to sell and wondering how showings will work? Reach out to the Greg Shosa Team. We will talk through access, scheduling, and a practical security routine. I can help with that.

Source

Adapted from Greg Shosa’s Home Seller Handbook: showing security, electronic lockbox access, protecting valuables, and household showing routines.