Everything is ready, and you are all packed to go on your well-deserved vacation. Or maybe you are planning to leave town for an extended business trip. Whatever the case, you must ensure your home is safe while you’re away. After all, an unoccupied house is an easy target for burglars, and you have all your possessions and memories inside.
8 Tips To Keep Your Home Safe After Leaving
If you’re leaving your home unoccupied for an extended period, follow these tips to keep it safe:
Don’t Leave Without Locking Windows And Doors
Although this may seem like an obvious one, you’d be surprised how many people forget to lock their doors and windows before leaving on vacation. All it takes is one unlocked window for a burglar to enter your home. We know that they could just break a window, but often they will target houses with an easy entry point.
Give A Reliable Person Nearby An Extra Key
If you’re already searching “sell my vacant home” because you’re planning to move far away, consider giving a key to a trusted neighbor, family member, or friend. That way, they can keep an eye on your home while you’re gone and let you know if anything seems out of place. It’ll also give you peace of mind to receive regular updates on your home’s status.
Make Your Yard Neat
If you must leave your home quickly, ensure the exterior doesn’t look abandoned. This means keeping the lawn mowed, leaves raked, and any debris cleared. An unkempt lawn is a sure sign to burglars that no one is home. Remember that, unlike when you sell to home-buying companies, first impressions matter; a messy yard will only drive potential buyers away.
Install Motion Detector Lights
Following the “make your home look lived in” rule, you should also install motion detector lights. This is an affordable way to make it appear as if someone is home, even when they’re not. Burglars are looking for an easy target and are less likely to target a house that looks occupied. Besides, they’ll always prefer going undetected, and motion detector lights will do just that.
Don’t Leave Without Your Valuables
No matter how good of a hiding spot you think you’ve found, it’s never worth the risk to leave valuables in your home while you’re gone. This includes things like:
- Jewelry
- Family heirlooms
- Important documents
- Large amounts of cash
Keep in mind that no matter how the level of security in your home, there’s always a way for a burglar to get in and take what they want. If you can’t take your valuables with you, consider renting a safety deposit box from your bank or investing in a home safe.
Put Your Home Security Sign Visible
If you have a home security system, ensure the sign is visible from the street. This will be a visual deterrent for burglars and let them know that experts are monitoring your home. Even if you don’t have a home security system, you can still put up a sign to make it look like you do. Take advantage of the psychological factor and give burglars another reason to target a different home.
Assure Your Alarm System Is Running Well
Alarms are great allies when you are not at home because they can alert the authorities when a burglar is trying to break in. The loud sound will scare the burglar away and give you the time you need to call the police. Before leaving, test your alarm system to prove it’s working properly. Also, this is the time to set up any timers you may need to turn lights on and off while you’re away.
Keep A Car In The Driveway
If you searched “sell my vacant home” because you need to sell ASAP, keep a car in the driveway meanwhile. This will make it look like someone is living there and make potential burglars think twice before trying to break in.
Looking For Home Buying Companies? You Found The Best!
At Home Helpers Group, we save you all the stress and hassle of having to take care of your vacant home. We buy houses as-is in any condition and pay cash. We close fast with your schedule, so you can move on with your life and leave all your worries behind. Click on the if you’re ready!
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