Neighborhoods with Best Amenities around Ocean City

Whether you are planning to live on the beach full time or just want to buy a second home here, it is important to consider what else does your neighborhood offer other than a close proximity to the ocean. While having the ability to go to the beach anytime is great, after a couple of years of sun and sand you might be starting to look for something else to do. This is when knowing where to buy your perfect piece of real estate by the ocean comes to play. 

We’ve compiled this list of best residential communities in Worcester and Sussex County to help you find the right property you and your family can enjoy for many years. Deciding factors in our research were the range of amenities, the overall quality of homes in the neighborhood, proximity to the beaches and good old local knowledge.

#5 - Decatur Farm – Berlin, MD

Build by Pulte Homes in 2016, Decatur Farm is a popular year-round residential community just a few minutes walking from Downtown Berlin. Decatur Farm has its own pool, playground, and clubhouse with two fitness rooms. Many single-family homes have water views and price per square foot in this neighborhood is super reasonable. Decatur Farm is established and fully developed community with the last section of townhomes completed in 2018.

» Single Family Homes for sale in Decatur Farm

» Decatur Farm Townhomes for sale (under $200k)

#4 - Bayside Ocean City – Berlin, MD

Smaller than it’s Delaware counterpart, Bayside Ocean City is a luxury resort style community built by Toll Brothers located right between Ocean City and Assateague Island. This year-round neighborhood offers single family residences as well as some condominium units. On-site amenities include indoor and outdoor pool, tennis courts, kayak launching dock and walking bayside walking trails. Bayside Ocean City is in Ocean City Elementary school district.

» See what’s for sale at Bayside Ocean City HERE

#3 - Glen Riddle – Berlin, MD

Glen Riddle neighborhood built by Pulte is a home to two championship golf courses War Admiral and Man’O’War. Glen Riddle offers marina front townhomes, luxury single-family residences, and new construction homes. As an only gated community in Berlin, Glen Riddle has a massive outdoor pool, private marina, tennis court, clubhouse with fitness center and Ruth Chris Steakhouse on-site.

» See Real Estate for Sale at Glen Riddle 

#2 - Bayside – Fenwick Island, DE

Large residential and second home community just north of Ocean City. Bayside Fenwick Island offers single family homes built by Schell Brothers, coastal style townhomes by Beazer Homes, and luxury residencies built by Echelon Custom Homes.

Bayside in Delaware is a home to one of the areas best golf courses with dramatic bay views and popular outdoor Freeman Stage offering live concerts and performances in the summer. Top class amenities include 75 foot / 5 lane indoor pool, outdoor pools with splash pads for kids, tennis, fitness, two restaurants on-site, a beach shuttle, nature trails, dog park and much more.

» Real estate for sale at Bayside in Fenwick Island DELAWARE

#1 - Sunset Island – Ocean City, MD

Right in the heart of Ocean City on 67th Street lies the peaceful bay-front community of Sunset Island. While Sunset Island is predominately second home neighborhood with excellent rental potential, there are about 15 families who live here year round. Sunset Island features a distinctive collection of single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums created exclusively as a reminiscent of a classic beach town. Residents and guest can enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle, year-round clubhouse with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, walking and bicycle trails, private beaches, an interactive water fountain, restaurant and corner store. Sunset Island is located only two blocks from the Atlantic Ocean.

» Homes for Sale at Sunset Island Ocean City

» Sunset Island Condominiums for Sale

While national real estate portals offer easy and convenient search in any city across the country, local property searches like Shore4Home.com usually offer a much wider scope of information and local features than global leaders ever can. Working with experienced professional real estate photographer with hyper-local knowledge will always be essential when finding the right home for you and your family. 

Here you are, living or vacationing in Ocean City, in the middle of the summer. You’ve been to the beach couple times already and however exciting the beach is, you know that when your six-year-old’s answer to the question “What do you guys want to do today?” is “Dad, I don’t want to go to the beach”, it’s time to start looking for plan B. This list is to help you to stay sane and have some fun too.

1. Concerts at Freeman Stage

Popular concert stage at Bayside Community in Delaware which hosted names such as Ben Harper, Boyz II Men, Jay Leno or Jeff Foxworthy.

https://freemanstage.org/

2. Kayaking on Ayres Creek

Relaxing adventure “off the beaten path” on Assateague Rd in Berlin. Ayers Creek has a very gentle flow and kayaking up or down the creek is super easy. Kids can paddle too and will probably sleep well afterward. You can spot a few beautiful homes along the creek.

http://ayerscreekadventures.com/

3. Free movies on the beach

Monday and Friday on 27th Street beach and Wednesday in front of Carousel Hotel on 117th Street beach. Free movies on the beach for the entire family! Bring your beach chair or a blanket and enjoy the night beside the ocean.

https://ococean.com/events/movies-on-the-beach-118th-street

4. Northside Park Summer Camps

Short or long camps for any age. From art, dance and fishing to lacrosse, surfing or soccer, Northside Park in Ocean City will keep you busy all summer long.

https://camps.oceancitymd.gov/

5. Golf

Yeah, I have to admit that doesn’t sound like fun for the whole family but dad needs to take breaks too. Grab an early T-time (as early as 6:52 am) for a quick 9-hole round before it gets too hot and you’ll be back before breakfast or even before everyone wakes up.

http://oceancitygolfclub.com/home

6. Assateague Bayside Beaches

By far the best spot by the ocean (and bay) for families with little children. Calm bayside water with no waves. You can rent kayaks and paddle boards and give everyone rides or take a guided tour. Water is 1 to 2 feet deep.

https://www.assateagueoutfitters.com/

7. Charter Fishing

Looking for a Big Game fish such as Blue Marlin White Marlin, Tuna or Shark? Deep sea fishing can set you back about $2K but it will be #1 unforgettable experience for the entire family.

https://ocfishing.com/occharters/

Belmont Towers, Unit #805

2 Dorchester St Unit 805, Ocean City, MD 21842

MORE: Professional Real Estate Photography

Experience the breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean from this rarely available direct oceanfront top floor end unit in Belmont Towers. Allow the sunrise to awaken you every morning through the arched picture window in your beachfront master bedroom or walk out on your balcony, breathe in the breeze and feel alive. The model unit designed by Bethany Resort Furnishing includes 2 assigned parking spaces close to the elevator in a secure gated parking garage and storage. Belmont Towers on the boardwalk embodies the essence of luxury resort living and offers an outdoor pool, sauna, putting green, fitness center and more. Close to inlet, pier and downtown Ocean City restaurants with access over Rt 50 bridge. Private sanctuary and excellent rental performance. Schedule your appointment today!

Tony Prochazka
ASSOCIATE BROKER, REALTOR

Vantage Resort Realty of MD
5200 Coastal Hwy, Suite B
Ocean City MD 21842
(410) 723-1730

Courtesy of SkyMedia360.com Orlando, FL

When it comes to buying a home in Berlin or Ocean Pines, whether it is your first time or your fifth, it is always important to know all the facts. With the large number of mortgage programs available that allow buyers to purchase homes with down payments below 20%, you can never have too much information about Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI).

What is PMI?

Freddie Mac defines PMI as:

“An insurance policy that protects the lender if you are unable to pay your mortgage. It’s a monthly fee, rolled into your mortgage payment, that is required for all conforming, conventional loans that have down payments less than 20%. Once you’ve built equity of 20% in your home, you can cancel your PMI and remove that expense from your mortgage payment.”

As the borrower, you pay the monthly premiums for the insurance policy, and the lender is the beneficiary. Freddie Mac goes on to explain that:

“The cost of PMI varies based on your loan-to-value ratio – the amount you owe on your mortgage compared to its value – and credit score, but you can expect to pay between $30 and $70 per month for every $100,000 borrowed.” 

According to the National Association of Realtors, the average down payment for all buyers last year was 10%. For first-time buyers, that number dropped to 5%, while repeat buyers put down 14% (no doubt aided by the sale of their homes). This just goes to show that for a large number of buyers last year, PMI did not stop them from buying their dream homes.

Here’s an example of the cost of a mortgage on a $200,000 home with a 5% down payment & PMI, compared to a 20% down payment without PMI:

The larger the down payment you can make, the lower your monthly housing cost will be, but Freddie Mac urges you to remember:

“It’s no doubt an added cost, but it’s enabling you to buy now and begin building equity versus waiting 5 to 10 years to build enough savings for a 20% down payment.”

If you have questions about whether you should buy now or wait until you’ve saved a larger down payment, let’s get together to discuss our market’s conditions and help you make the best decision for you and your family.

36 Sunset Island Drive - Ocean City MD

Elegant four story 4 bedroom 4 1/2 bath beach home in private Sunset Island community. This open concept home features state of the art kitchen with huge kitchen island, two dining areas, 4th floor loft with full bath and rear private balcony. Take a peak of the bay on 2nd and 3rd floor porches and feel relaxed year round. Walk to Ocean City beach or spend the day enjoying world class amenities Sunset Island offers including indoor and outdoor pools, fitness center, walking trails, crabbing pier, 3 private beaches, on-site bay front restaurant and much more. This all can be yours, schedule your private your today.

More Info: http://www.shore4home.com/property/515350/

More Info: http://www.shore4home.com/property/515350/

Open houses are the gold standard in real estate. They’ve been around for decades and will be ingrained in the buying and selling of homes for years to come. Are you making the most of your open house visits?

Here are 9 things to look for during an open house visit.

#1. The sign-in sheet

While you’re signing in, take note of how many other names are on the list. A popular open house could signal a lot of interest – and competition – for the property.

#2.The neighborhood – and the neighbors...

At least for the immediate future, the neighbors typically come with the house. Take a walk around the block and chat with a few neighbors to learn what it’s like to live there.

#3. The cracks in the walls

Most older homes have some cracks in the walls from settling, which may not be signs of a serious problem. If the cracks are horizontal, however, or if they’re more than an eighth of an inch wide, that could indicate a structural problem.

#4. The State of the Kitchen

It’s common for homeowners to refresh their kitchen by updating hardware and installing a backsplash or even a new counter. Consider whether this works for you or if you’d want a complete renovation, and factor that into your offer.

#5. The water pressure

In addition to making for disappointing showers, low water pressure could be a sign of corrosion, pipe buildup or other serious issues. Run the water from all the faucets to get an accurate picture.

#6. Storage space

Having too little storage space is one of the top regrets cited by homebuyers after they’ve moved into a new home. Open the closets during the open house and consider whether there will be room for all your stuff.

#7. Common areas

If you’re moving into an apartment building or a homeowners’ association, you’ll also be paying for access to community areas like a gym or pool. This is your opportunity to check out the facilities.

#8. The layout

Most of today’s buyers are looking for an open floor plan, but if you’re looking at older homes, you’re less likely to find one. Take a look at the current layout and consider whether it would be conducive to your lifestyle, or whether you’d be willing to renovate.

#9. The exterior

Take a walk around to see whether the exterior appears in good condition, or whether there’s damaged siding or loose shingles. If those things are in disrepair, chances are there are other deferred maintenance issues as well.

There are lots of reasons why open houses have been around for decades — and why you should take full advantage of them. Take full advantage of the open house by asking questions to learn all you can about the home and listing.

3 bedroom / 3 bath single family home in Decatur Farm.
http://www.shore4home.com/property/511311/

Discover this beautiful home on the quiet cul-de-sac featuring grand room cathedral ceiling, 1st floor master suite, walk-in closets, loft and oversized upstairs utility / bonus room. Nestled in well established community of Decatur Farm offering club house with outdoor pool, exercise rooms, outdoor playground and more.
Take an evening walk through nearby Decatur Park and continue to downtown Berlin to grab an ice cream at Island Creamery, stop by one of the famous antique shops or have dinner along Main Street in one of Berlin's top restaurants. Experience the best of shore life in America's coolest small town just minutes away from Ocean City and Assateague Island beaches.
Home is offered with 1 year home warranty.

More Info: http://www.shore4home.com/property/511311/

It may be difficult to think of the windows in your home as valuable assets. Of course, standing in front of one of these outlets on a blazing summer day or frigid winter night can help you shift your point of view in quite a hurry. In order to give you the best defense against the elements – and potentially save you a few bucks along the way – let’s listen in as some of the most trusted online sources break down the benefits of energy efficient windows and how these offerings apply to your situation.

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Letting in drafts and heat can be a nuisance, but is it enough of a reason to change out your windows entirely? Learning more about energy efficient windows and how these assets can affect your home life and budget can help answer this question once and for all.

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When it comes to upgrading your home and improving the quality of life for you and your family, windows generally don’t rank very high in the overarching conversation, if they make an appearance at all. Unfortunately, this mentality overlooks one key detail – these fixtures serve as vital pieces of your home’s heating and cooling systems. If you’re still working with inefficient windows, chances are your home is far from optimized in terms of energy savings and expenditure.

Building a Quick Overview

Before delving into the particulars of why energy efficient windows can improve your home, it’s important to ensure that you have a basic understanding of the difference between these offerings and standard window units. To shed some light on these comparison, Karin Beuerlein of the National Association of Realtors’ House Logic blog breaks down energy efficient windows from a variety of angles.

For starters, the exterior of the window plays a major role in the efficiency rating of the installation. For some windows, several layers of glazing – from single to double and triple – can affect the degree of insulation this asset has against the exterior environment. In terms of the ability to repulse heat, a low emissivity (Low-E) metallic coating can further enhance the window’s ability to reflect and absorb outside weather and other external factors.

Once you get into the interior of the window, gas fills and spacers take center stage. A gas fill, as the name implies, is simply a layer of gas – usually argon or krypton – that’s sandwiched between glazing sheets as a means to improve insulation and reduce heat transfer. Different materials and designs comprise the spacer designation, but all variations still aim to handle the same goals found within the gas fill approach.

Of course, no overview of energy efficient windows would be complete without a look into the framing materials. From vinyl to fiberglass and aluminum, you have plenty of options on this front. Each have their strengths and weaknesses – which you’ll learn about shortly – thus requiring a deeper evaluation based upon your current home situation. The big takeaway here is that your region often dictates your framing options.

Gauging the Value of Energy Efficient Windows

So now that you’re an expert on how energy efficient windows work and what goes into these products, it’s time to look into why you should even bother with these upgrades in the first place. As Charles R. Hooper of Angie’s List explains, the most compelling reason offered up on this front comes in the form of saving money on your monthly energy bills and other energy-related expenses.

Essentially, by making the switch to this type of window, you’re trading an upfront installation cost for the ability to save a significantly larger amount of money over time. These savings can vary based on your specific climate and region, but the experts over at the Department of Energy note that in some cases, homeowners who take the plunge end up saving up to 31 percent on their energy bills per year. Needless to say, that’s far from an insignificant amount over the course of a useful window lifespan.

Benefits That Go Beyond Savings

Aside from the substantial savings generated by energy efficient windows, there’s also other key reasons to consider this alternative to standard offerings. In particular, the experts at the Department of Energy go on to explain that energy efficient windows improve the quality of life for you, your family, and any possessions that don’t hold up well to external concerns.

These selections reduce the impact of outside elements, such as overbearing summer heat and drafty gusts of wind during the winter months, thereby creating a more stable and controlled environment for anyone who calls this house a home. As far as the items in your house go, these windows act as a sort of “home sunscreen,” ensuring that sun damage and exposure to other exterior issues becomes a thing of the past.

Which Window Is Right for You?

If you’re ready to start talking about energy efficient options that fit your home, HGTV’s Alyson McNutt English suggests breaking down the discussion based on your regional needs, budget, and available components. While it would be nice to simply have one answer to this dilemma, varying environments and climates obfuscate the discussion a bit.

In terms of framing, English explains that options like aluminum work best in humid, rainy, and coastal climates, while wood and vinyl are better suited to handle the rigors of more arid locales. As you begin to weigh interior fill and spacing options, you’ll notice that the same propensity for regional concerns enter the picture. Specifically, gas fills simply don’t hold up well in higher altitudes, often leading to leaks and other transfer issues.

Once you’ve sorted out your climate considerations – or connected with an expert who can help you on this front – English finishes with one final piece of advice: Keep an eye out for your window ratings. The U-value of a window denotes this fixture’s ability to resist heat loss, while the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) measures how much heat radiation enters the home through this window.

As you can see, there’s plenty to consider once you enter the market for these windows. Depending on your personal needs and preferences, as well as the recommendations offered up by your trusted window professionals, how much stock you put into these ratings and components can vary drastically. However, at least now you can move forward with confidence as you put this information – and the rest of what you’ve learned about energy efficient windows and their benefits – to good use.

With countless TV shows providing a glamorous look into the world of flipping homes, it’s no surprise that more and more people are showing interest in this portion of the real estate world. However, do the benefits of flipping a home outweigh the sometimes hidden costs that trip up novice flippers? To answer this question, here’s an in-depth look at the subject from some of the most knowledgeable members of the online realty community.

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Embracing your entrepreneurial spirit and taking a stab at a spot in the world of real estate can be the start of something truly exciting. Unfortunately, getting in over your head by trying to flip a home that’s not worth the work can negate these good vibes and leave you taking a major financial hit if you’re not careful.

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Ever wondered what it’s like to flip homes and chase the substantial profits that come with this approach? While there’s plenty of excitement and potential found within this system, there’s also just as much risk. Before you reach out to your realtor and start picking up real estate assets to add to your portfolio, take a moment to delve into this cost-benefit analysis of the home-flipping process.

What Exactly Constitutes Flipping a Home?

If you’re especially new to this concept, it’s important to lay the groundwork with a strong understanding of what goes into flipping homes. As Lisa Smith of Investopedia explains, the goal of house flipping is to purchase a home at a cost that’s below its market value, then turn around and sell this selection for a profit.

Made popular in the early 2000s, flipping houses has become a cultural phenomenon of sorts with large swathes of the Internet and TV shows turning this process into a media sensation. In some cases, home renovations and upgrades also enter the picture as a way to add value to the property and make it more enticing for potential buyers.

Understanding Where Flippers Fall Short

With this simple goal of getting more out of the home than what you put into it leading the way, flipping homes should be a pretty straightforward affair, right? Unfortunately, this dangerous line of thought has grounded the dreams of plenty of homebuyers before they ever even had a chance to get off the ground.

In their look at the hidden costs and shortcomings of new house-flippers, ABC News’ Kinga Janik and Lauren Effron point out there are a few recurring themes that continue to plague these members of the real estate community. At the top of the list is failing to get the home inspected.

By skipping the part of the process where an expert comes in and gives the home a thorough review, you open yourself up to a variety of unexpected risk and potential expense. This in turn makes staying on budget unnecessarily difficult. Additionally, failing to get the right permits and licenses to fix up these issues continues the theme of getting tripped up by home-flipping paperwork and can easily put you in hot water with your local government.

From a bigger picture perspective, failing to research the neighborhood and the contractors who handle the necessary renovations and upgrades also serves as a stumbling point for many flippers. It might not seem like that big of a deal initially, but ending up with a property that’s otherwise fine – but ultimately undesirable thanks to a rough neighborhood – or a contractor who takes the money and run, constitutes a catastrophic failure that could have been avoided with a little research and foresight.

Is It Still worth the Risk?

At this point, it’s safe to say that flipping homes is in fact a risky proposition for the uninitiated. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s not worth considering if you understand what it takes to be successful. As the team over at First Bank note, if you’re willing to put in the time and effort needed to flip a home the right way, you can expect to be handsomely rewarded for your hard work.

Successfully flipped homes serve as an excellent source of revenue – from both a short and long term perspective. If you’re able to stay on budget, selling a renovated home can net a substantial one-time gain at closing. For those that are open to the idea of renting out the home, this property can serve as a steady stream of income that continues to pay you back for taking on the upfront costs and risks that come with flipping properties.

Outside of the financial boons that come with this process, these experts also point out that flipping homes can be a rewarding and enriching endeavor. Whether you’re a new retiree who wants to try something different or an energetic, “hands-on” type of person who’s looking for a new challenge, seeing this home transform into a valuable asset provides a sense of achievement that only comes from working hard toward – and capturing – a lofty goal.

Building a Winning Strategy

Now that you understand that flipping homes does come with a series of costs and concerns that might not always be readily apparent, but that the process can be rewarding on many levels, it’s time to talk about how you can build a winning strategy. According to William Bronchick, J.D., of the investing news source CRE Online, it all starts with properly evaluating the situation in front of you.

Is it better to flip the home in question “as is,” or should you renovate and upgrade the property before putting it out onto the market? Securing the help of a real estate agent who understands the nuances of the local real estate community can help make these and other vital questions far more manageable as you acclimate yourself to the home-flipping scene.

From here, connecting with licensed and bonded contractors ensures that you steer clear of illegal practices and scams. Aside from keeping you on the straight and narrow, building these relationships now could set you up for more favorable arrangements and reduced pricing down the road; something that’s definitely worthwhile if you intend to regularly flip homes on a budget.

By putting everything you’ve learned here to good use, there’s nothing that can stand in your way as you begin to evaluate and purchase “flip worthy” homes. All that’s left now is to get out in your community or connect with your agent and start looking for the next great real estate opportunity in your area.

Selling or buying a home is an exciting, nerve-wracking, and important time, all rolled into one. Unfortunately, too many members of the marketplace end up making this event more stressful by failing to give safe practices their due. In an effort to keep you firmly out of this category, let’s reach out to some leading experts from around the real estate market and hear what they have to say about keeping everyone involved in a sale safe and secure.

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Does something seem too good to be true with a potential new home? Is the other person involved in the process acting oddly? While these questions might seem over-the-top at first glance, the truth of the matter is that you can never be too cautious when dealing with others during the sale or purchase of a home.

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If you’re reading this, chances are you’re ready to go see an available home or entertain a potential buyer at your house. While there’s usually nothing to worry about when it comes to dealing with other people, you can never do too much to avoid interacting with the small minority of the population that doesn’t have your best interests at heart. With this in mind, here’s some essential tips and considerations that can help keep you and your family protected during this pivotal point in your lives.

Meet and Greet in a Public Place

At the top of the list of safety tips to consider when heading into a sale, according to the Police Department of Criminal Prevention in Mesa, Arizona, is meeting and greeting with the other parties in a public place. Whether this means reaching out to your realtor in his or her office, or meeting with a buyer or seller at an agreed upon open location, sticking to areas that are full of other people and activity is a great way to avoid finding yourself in an unsavory or potentially harmful situation.

Once you’ve met up with the other parties involved, don’t hesitate to perform a “check-up from the neck up.” Aside from serving as a funny saying, this concept represents the notion that if something doesn’t seem right with the person you’re working with, don’t be afraid to call off the viewing of the home. Your instincts are an invaluable asset, so listening to them and avoiding a situation that just doesn’t feel safe is perfectly acceptable when it comes to dealing with strangers.

Leave a “Paper Trail”

In addition to strategically planning out your initial meetings with others, it’s also a good idea to leave a paper trail whenever you’re heading out to browse through home listings. Offering up a schedule or agenda to friends and family members, as well as carrying multiple forms of identification, ensures that at least one person knows where you are at all times in case something goes wrong.

If you really want to go the extra mile on this front as the seller of a property, requesting that any interested parties in your home have preapproval from a lending agency helps keep these viewers relegated to only the most serious of potential buyers.

Take Time to Assess the Situation

As far as searching for a new home goes, Lew Sichelman of the Los Angeles Times suggests spending a few minutes to assess the situation before rushing in headfirst. Exciting though it make be to explore a new home, dealing with all of the unknowns that come with this process naturally carries a certain amount of risk.

For instance, if you’re looking to purchase an abandoned or vacant home, structural damage, squatters, wild animals, and a variety of other issues could pose a threat to you and anyone else who joins you on this trip. While the odds of dealing with these problems are far less likely in a traditional home-purchasing situation, it still never hurts to spend a few moments assessing the situation for any safety risks or hazards.

Never Travel Alone

Speaking of heading out to view available properties, it’s also a good idea to bring along a friend, family member, or your trusted realtor when setting out on this path. Having a second set of eyes and ears available to you during this time can ensure that you properly audit the situation for any potential threats or concerns. Additionally, having someone else with you during this time can serve as a strong deterrent for any illicit or underhanded tactics committed by less than savory individuals.

Protect Your Home During a Showing

For those of you who aren’t looking to buy a home, but rather sell your current property, the experts over at the National Association of Realtors’ Realtor magazine point out that there’s still plenty of concerns worthy of consideration before you rush into entertaining strangers in your home. Specifically the open house and home-showing portions of the process stand out as major areas of concern.

Having unknown individuals in your home is always a risk, but participating in an event like an open house exacerbates the issue. To help safeguard your property, always lock away “high interest” items – like jewelry and electronics – before a viewing. This process takes just a few minutes and makes a world of difference when dealing with large groups of people.

In terms of handling visitors, a good rule of thumb is to always stick to a schedule. Much like the paper trail discussed earlier, only entertaining visitors who set an appointment to see your home ensures that unexpected “drop-ins” don’t become an issue.

Keeping Your Head on Straight

Unfortunately, there’s nothing that you can do to completely erase the risks that come with interacting with strangers during the buying and selling of a home. It’s an issue that plagues any industry built upon connecting with others – not just the real estate world. However, that doesn’t mean that you’re completely out of options for protecting and safeguarding yourself during these times.

By putting what you’ve learned here to good use – including partnering up for home visits and stowing away your valuables during an open house – and remaining vigilant throughout the process, there’s no reason that you and your family can’t find an outcome that’s just right for your needs.