PHOTO: Steph said she wished she had been told earlier about removing the ‘sold’ sign after she fell victim to a robbery when thieves broke into the home’s shed
Melbourne Homeowner’s Cautionary Tale: Burglary Highlights Risk of Leaving ‘Sold’ Signs
Steph, a resident of Melbourne and recent home seller, received an unwelcome surprise when she discovered that her sold property had been targeted by thieves. The incident came to light when she returned to the house to retrieve a tool from the shed for the purpose of dismantling furniture before the new owners moved in. Shockingly, the shed had been broken into, and all the tools were missing.
Upon reporting the crime to the police, Steph was informed that the presence of the ‘sold’ sign in front of the house might have inadvertently attracted burglars. She shared her experience through a TikTok video, which displayed the broken shed window that the thieves had used to gain entry. The burglars had removed two rectangular glass panels to access the shed.
Steph emphasized that the ‘sold’ sign could potentially signal to thieves that the property is temporarily vacant and an easy target. She urged fellow homeowners who have successfully sold their homes to promptly remove the ‘sold’ sign, suggesting that real estate agents should take it down as soon as the property changes hands. In her case, the burglary occurred shortly after the ‘sold’ sticker was displayed.
@stephadiy How I increased this property’s value by $187K in about a year and a half. ???? #renovation #diy #womenempowerment #youtube #diyproject #reno #property #ladyboss #renovationproject
The incident took place on July 8, just after the property sale was completed. Efforts have been made to reach out to Victoria Police and Benlor Real Estate, the agency responsible for the sale.
Properties with ‘sold’ or ‘lease’ signs are often attractive to thieves, as these signs can create the impression that the premises are unoccupied. Steph also offered an additional piece of advice in her video: parking a car in the property’s driveway to imply current occupancy.
Melbourne homeowner Steph has warned homeowners to take down ‘sold’ signs as soon as possible once their property goes under the hammer, after thieves broke into her home
The TikTok community responded swiftly to Steph’s video, with users sharing their own insights. One user advised promptly removing the real estate sign after the sale, while another highlighted the importance of securing insurance on the property immediately upon signing the paperwork. The latter user mentioned that they were informed about the need for insurance once the bank approved their loan.
@stephadiy Gross, disgusting, how do people live like this??? @FailArmy @Vale Fails
SOURCE: THE DAILY MAIL