Selling a house? Here is a great article to keep in mind.

12 Items to Never Leave Out at Your Open House

If you are thinking of selling your home and hosting an open house, please take a look at the following list and never leave any of these out in public view.

1. Jewelry and Cash

It’s always wise to secure your valuable items such as jewelry and cash before hosting an open house. This way, you can avoid the risk of losing your valuable jewelry. You don’t want to tempt thieves!

Don’t just leave cash and jewelry in an unlocked drawer. You should store them in a locked drawer or safe to keep them out of sight. If your kids have piggy banks in their bedrooms, remove them so it doesn’t catch the attention of thieves.

2. Expensive Collectibles

If you own valuable collectibles such as vintage plates, baseball cards, or even Pokemon cards, don’t to leave them out during your open house. It’s best to keep them in a locked drawer or pack them in an unmarked box. If possible, store these valuable collectibes at a relative’s or friend’s house, or rent a storage space to keep them safe.

3. Designer Bags and Shoes

Don’t leave your designer bags, shoes, and clothes in your walk-in closet during your open house. This is an invitation for thieves to make off with your valuable items.

As a real estate agent, I always advise my clients to keep their designer bags and shoes out of sight since it’s difficult for me to keep an eye on them during an open house.

Having expensive designer clothes and accessories on display in your closet could also make you a target for burglars who might come back later to rob you. It’s best to pack your designer shoes and bags in unmarked boxes or store them securely in a storage facility.

4. Electronic Devices

It’s best not to leave valuable items like iPads, laptops, cellphones, and gaming devices such as the Nintendo Switch out in the open during an open house. You never know who might be walking into your home, and leaving these pricey gadgets in plain sight could invite thieves to steal them. It’s also not advisable to leave expensive accessories like Apple AirPods or high-end headphones out where they can be easily snatched. Even charging cables should not be left out in the open, as they too can be taken by anyone with sticky fingers.

5. Personal Items

Putting away personal items like pictures, diplomas, and awards before your open house is always wise. It’s important to store any mail or documents with your name, address, or personal information.

It’s best to keep these items locked away and out of sight for your privacy and to keep them away from prying eyes.

6. Pets

Before your open house, it’s best to hide any pet-related items such as the pet crate, toys, and accessories. Pets can easily turn off potential buyers who are not into pets.

Also, don’t leave your cats or dogs at home since they can distract visitors from viewing your house. Don’t even leave your dog in his crate because the barking is just disruptive and will scare off some buyers.

As a real estate agent, I have a no pets at home during open house policy. From my experience, pets can take away from potential buyers’ ability to see how nice your house is.

The same goes for pet birds, which can become noisy and frighten buyers. It’s better not to have them at home. But if you can’t take your pet bird out of the house, put up a “Don’t Touch” sign to avoid accidental bites. Also, make sure to clean your pet bird’s cage so that there are no foul odors.

If you have pet fish, leaving them in the house is okay, as they are more decorative. But make sure that your fish tank is clean and presentable. Put away any fish food and accessories so the area looks neat.

7. Garage Door Opener

Don’t forget to keep your garage door opener out of sight. Don’t even leave it in a drawer where it’s easily accessible.

You wouldn’t want to risk having someone steal your garage door opener and then use it to gain access to your home later on. So, be sure to store it somewhere secure in a locked drawer.

8. Prescription Drugs

Before your open house, it’s important to remember not to leave your prescription drugs lying around. It’s best to avoid storing them in the medicine cabinet or the drawers in the bathroom, as they could easily fall into the wrong hands. Keep your medication safe and secure by keeping it safely locked away.

9. Expensive Artwork

Another thing you shouldn’t leave out on display during your open house are expensive artwork. You never know who might come into your home. Often times thieves will come into open houses to scope out properties and if they see expensive artwork, they may end up coming back to break in your home. To reduce the risk of becoming a target for robbery, replace your expensive artwork with cheap prints.

10. Firearms and Weapons

Don’t leave guns, bullets and weapons lying around in your open house. Even if you keep them in a drawer, you never know who might open it. Imagine if it’s a young child who finds your gun. To avoid such a terrible situation, it’s best not to leave them out in the open.

Also if you have a gun safe, make sure you keep it hidden. You never know who might walk into your house, and they could be thieves who are scouting for properties to break into.

11. Political Signs

Another thing you shouldn’t leave out in an open house are political signs. Magnets, stickers and anything to show your political affiliation is a big no-no.

The reason being that you don’t want to influence or sway potential buyers with your political views. It’s better to remain neutral and focus on showcasing the features of your property instead of distracting the visitors with political messaging.

12. Keys

Don’t leave keys out during an open house. You might have a designated spot, like a bowl or a hook, where you store your spare car keys and other keys.

It’s important to remember to put them away during an open house to avoid the possibility of them getting stolen. The last thing you want is for someone to drive off with your car!

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/i-m-a-real-estate-agent-here-are-12-items-to-never-leave-out-at-your-open-house/ar-BB1jmRws?ocid=socialshare&cvid=f97543f1e3654419804dda2f943b4225&ei=17

Article posted on msn.com by Suburbs 101

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Transferring Firearms into a Minnesota Estate Plan

By Chad Mckenney • March 24, 2026

If you own firearms in Minnesota, your estate plan needs to address them—carefully. Firearms are unlike most other personal property. Transfer them incorrectly, and your family could face serious legal consequences, including federal felony exposure. With the right planning, however, you can keep your collection in the family, out of probate, and out of trouble. Here is what every Minnesota gun owner should understand. First: Categorize the Firearms The right strategy depends heavily on what kind of firearms the client owns. Title I (Ordinary Firearms) — standard rifles, shotguns, handguns not regulated by the NFA Title II (NFA Firearms) — suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), Any Other Weapons (AOWs), destructive devices Minnesota-specific note: Machine guns and short-barreled shotguns are banned at the state level in Minnesota, so those two NFA categories are off the table for Minnesota residents entirely. Option 1: Will / Intestate Transfer (Title I Firearms) For ordinary firearms, a will works fine. Minnesota’s transfer reporting requirements under Minn. Stat. § 624.7132 do not apply to transfers at death—so the 30-day waiting period and background check requirements for pistol/assault weapon transfers are exempted for estate transfers. Practical considerations: • Identify specific firearms and beneficiaries clearly in the will or a personal property memorandum • Confirm beneficiaries are legally eligible to possess firearms (Minn. Stat. § 624.713) • Firearms go through probate, which creates a public record Option 2: Revocable Trust (Title I Firearms) Titling firearms in a revocable living trust avoids probate and keeps the collection private. This works well for clients with significant collections of ordinary firearms. The trustee takes possession at death and distributes per trust terms without court involvement. Option 3: Gun Trust (NFA Firearms — Suppressors, SBRs, AOWs) For clients with NFA-regulated items, a dedicated gun trust is generally the best planning vehicle. Key advantages: • NFA firearms registered to a Minnesota gun trust pass to beneficiaries outside of the probate process according to the trust’s terms • NFA firearms registered to an individual pass through probate, which can be both slow and expensive • Multiple trustees can lawfully use and possess the NFA firearms, whereas NFA firearms registered to an individual can only be used and possessed by that registered individual during their lifetime • If a family member has access to a safe containing an NFA item they aren’t authorized to possess, it is technically a felony—a gun trust eliminates that exposure • If the settlor is later deemed incompetent, a co-trustee can take possession of the NFA firearms and hold them on behalf of the settlor At Death: NFA Transfer Process Through an Estate If a client dies with NFA items owned individually (no gun trust), the executor handles the transfer: • NFA firearms may be transferred on a tax-exempt basis to a lawful heir using ATF Form 5 (Application for Tax Exempt Transfer and Registration of a Firearm). A lawful heir is anyone named in the will, or anyone entitled to inherit under Minnesota intestacy law. • For transfers outside the estate (to a non-heir), ATF Form 4 is used and the $200 transfer tax applies • Unregistered NFA firearms in an estate are contraband and cannot be registered—the executor should contact the local ATF office Practical Checklist for Estate Planning Clients 1. Inventory the collection — identify every firearm, its type, and whether it’s NFA-regulated 2. Confirm beneficiary eligibility — no prohibited persons under state or federal law 3. Consider a gun trust for any NFA items (suppressors, SBRs, AOWs) 4. Use a revocable trust or will with a personal property memorandum for Title I firearms 5. Secure storage instructions — address who has access and when, to avoid inadvertent possession violations 6. Coordinate with a licensed firearms dealer for any post-death transfers that require Form 4 processing Questions? We Can Help. Estate planning for gun owners requires careful attention to both federal and Minnesota-specific law. At Donohue McKenney, Ltd., we help clients build plans that protect their families and their collections. Contact our Maple Grove office to schedule a consultation. 763-201-1450 or info@dmlawltd.com

We're Hiring

By Chad Mckenney • February 6, 2026

WHO WE ARE Donohue McKenney Ltd. is a full-service law firm in Maple Grove, Minnesota, providing comprehensive legal services to business and individual clients throughout the Twin Cities and nationwide since 1994. Our practice areas include business law, construction law, employment law, real estate, estate planning, probate, family law, personal injury, and civil litigation. Visit dmlawltd.com for additional information. POSITION OVERVIEW We are seeking an experienced Legal Assistant or Paralegal to join our team, providing support to our family law and civil litigation attorney. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented self-starter who thrives in a collaborative, team-oriented environment and can effectively manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Case Management & Administration • Assist in all aspects of family law and civil litigation matters • Maintain attorney's calendar and coordinate phone calls, meetings, depositions, mediations, and court appearances • Monitor intake of new matters and schedule consultations with attorneys • Ensure proper docketing and timely filing of all court papers • Track case progress, deadlines, and procedural requirements • Maintain organized case files with all relevant documents, pleadings, and correspondence Document Preparation & Filing • Draft, prepare, proofread, and review legal documents including pleadings, correspondence, deeds, and estate planning documents • File and eFile documents with courts and governmental offices Client Relations • Conduct new client intake calls and gather essential case information • Create and update client and matter records in case management database • Communicate case status updates and upcoming deadlines to clients and respond to client questions • Gather information from clients to respond to discovery requests Research & Support • Research and compile case-related documentation, reports, and billing summaries • Organize discovery materials and evidence • Assist in hearing and trial preparation • Perform various clerical duties including routing mail and screening calls/emails QUALIFICATIONS Required • Minimum 2 years of administrative assistant experience • Knowledge of Minnesota state court procedures and e-filing systems or willingness to learn • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, case management software, and legal research tools. Willingness to learn unfamiliar software. • Exceptional organizational abilities and attention to detail • Excellent written and verbal communication skills • Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines • Strong interpersonal skills and team collaboration abilities • Self-motivated with a positive, professional, can-do attitude • Commitment to strict confidentiality Preferred • Legal Assistant or Paralegal experience • Experience with family and domestic law matters COMPENSATION & BENEFITS • Competitive salary based on experience • Medical, Dental, HSA, and 401K options • Flexible/hybrid schedule available after initial training period TO APPLY Please send your resume to Info@dmlawltd.com We are not accepting search firm submissions for this position. Please apply directly.