Preparing your home for sale in the Puget Sound area involves more than just decluttering and staging. It also requires attention to the online aspect of your home’s presentation. Here are some tips to help you with that:
Anonymize your personal data — Your personal information is valuable and can be easily accessed by telemarketers and scammers. To safeguard your data, create a separate email address for your home and use it for interactions with utility companies, tax assessors, and other services. A service like Google’s Gmail works well for this purpose. Other email services from Comcast, Apple iCloud, Microsoft Outlook, etc., allow you to create “alias” email addresses. Start anonymizing your data as soon as possible, as databases and lists can take months to update.
Take ownership of your home’s online presence — While researching your home’s value online, ensure that you claim ownership of its profile on platforms like Zillow. Use your home’s new email for these profiles to avoid unnecessary telemarketing calls. Be cautious about sharing too many pictures, as scammers might misuse them on other websites to deceive potential buyers or renters. Keep an eye on your home’s online presence using Google Alerts and regularly check sites like Craigslist for any misuse of your home’s address or pictures.
Learn to mistrust email — Email is a common target for hackers and scammers. Be extremely cautious about clicking on links or opening attachments, especially during sensitive transactions like a real estate sale. Hackers may wait for the right moment to exploit your email and attempt to interfere with financial transactions. Consider following up on important monetary moves via phone calls for added security and to prevent wire fraud.
Remember that preparing your home for sale goes beyond physical efforts and includes securing your online presence. By anonymizing personal data, taking ownership of your home’s online profiles, and being vigilant with email security, you can better protect yourself from potential cyber threats during the selling process. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to us.
