How do I safely handle showings as a FSBO seller?

Safety during showings is something most FSBO guides mention briefly and then move past. I'm going to spend more time on it, because FSBO sellers are inviting strangers into their homes without the layer of agent verification that typically exists in a represented transaction. That doesn't mean it's dangerous. Millions of FSBO showings happen safely every year. But it does mean you need to be intentional about the process.

Qualify buyers before they walk through your door. Before any showing, get a name, a phone number, and a confirmation that they're either pre-approved or pre-qualified for a mortgage, or that they're a cash buyer. You're not trying to be a gatekeeper. You want to sell the house. But someone who has no financial qualifications, no verified identity, and no agent vouching for them is a showing you don't have to grant. The Showing Request and Rules document in the JoeFSBO toolkit gives you a clean, professional way to communicate your process to prospective buyers.

Don't show alone if you can avoid it. Have another adult present during showings when possible. This is practical for multiple reasons. It provides a safety backup, it prevents situations where you feel pressured in a one-on-one negotiation during the showing itself, and it keeps you from being the only person who has to answer every question on the spot. If a buyer asks something you're unsure about, your companion's presence gives you a natural out to say you'll follow up.

Lock away valuables and sensitive documents before any showing. Prescription medications in the medicine cabinet, financial documents on the counter, jewelry, loose cash, small electronics. Walk through your home as if a stranger is about to have access to every room, because they are. You're not accusing anyone of anything. You're just being sensible.

Know where people are in your home. If you're showing to a couple or a family, it's easy to lose track of individuals as they move through different rooms. Stay in a position where you can see or hear movement throughout the home. Follow the showing rather than waiting in one spot.

Avoid volunteering details that give buyers leverage in negotiation. Your timeline pressure, your motivation for selling, your next purchase. "We need to close quickly" is information a savvy buyer will use in an offer. Keep showing conversations focused on the property, not your circumstances.

Require advance notice, 24 hours is reasonable, with a phone number and buyer qualification status confirmed before confirming the showing. This gives you time to verify contact information and screen out requests that seem off. Most buyers are exactly what they appear to be: people who want to buy a home. The process works better for everyone when it's organized and professional from the start.