As a home seller, you not only need to think like a realtor in locating prospective buyers to purchase your real estate, but you also need to think like a personal security agent.

Home sellers have to keep safety in mind when seeking potential buyers. There has been an unfortunate climb in assaults towards realtors in the real estate industry, and the concern also reaches those who are selling their own homes.

There are a number of ways that you can protect yourself, your family, and your home, from being victimized.

First, screen callers completely before letting them make an appointment to see your home. Ask all the questions, such as their full name, existing address, and a telephone number where they can be reached. Find out if they have a real estate agent. If so, the reale estate agent should be the person that is contacting you or your real estate agent. Also ask where they're employed, why they want to buy a home and in your area, whether they have family in the area, whether they have any children, etc. Ask as many questions until you feel comfortable with the person.

Make sure you do not allow unannounced visitors into your home unless you have their information first. It's always better to be safe than sorry. So if you are alone at home, have the prospective buyer come back later when others are at home. There is absolutely no reason why someone can't make an appointment with you at another time. Make sure there is more than one person in your home when showing your property. Safety in numbers, right?

Granted, there will be times when the potential buyer cannot schedule an appointment to see your home on a different day. So if you have toshow your home alone keep a cell phone with you. This way if you feel that you are in danger of a potential buyer, you can call 911 for help. Should you need to get away from someone, run out of the house and either into your vehicle or a neighbor’s house. Your life and well-being is a lot more important than a piece of real estate. Many criminals claimthey do not want to harm anyone when taking property, but if someone puts up a fight, they will, too. Remember, you can always replace property and other items in your home, but not your life!

Advice your children, even the older ones, not to let anyone in the house unless you are there. Even teenage children should not let anyone in the house. More assaults are committed on younger people from the ages of 15- 25 years of age than any other age group.

Watch out for the so called virtual tours. Granted, this may be an option for you to sell your home, as it can allow prospective buyers a sneak peak into your home. But if you create a virtual tour, then make sure there are no expensive objects in the room(s). Don't give criminals a reason to target your home for a burglary. Criminals are always looking for opportunities like these to target homes to burglarize.

Another good tip is to inform your neighbors that you're selling your home. Be sure to check with them often to see if anyone has been around the house when you weren't there. Criminals often take advantage of an open house, or a walk-through to pretend as a potential buyer to scope out properties to burglarize later.

Finally, keep the exterior of your home open and lit. Curb appeal not only adds value when you are selling a home, but adds to the safety of your home as well. Criminals say they look for high bushes near windows, poorly-lit areas of a home, and concealed entrances to gain access to a home. So, don't give them this opportunity. Keep bushes trimmed low, repair or add higher wattage light bulbs to existing lights, and keep entrances well lit!.