As the year progresses and the holiday season approaches, many of us are starting to plan trips for winter getaways or visits to family and friends. While thinking about the places you’ll visit and the experiences you’ll have is exciting, protecting your property before you travel should be a top priority. Securing your home not only gives you peace of mind during your trip, but it also helps maintain your property’s value, safeguarding your investment for the future. These are the basic steps to take before you leave.
Secure Your Home
Before you leave for any vacation, create and check items off of a pre-travel checklist. One of the main steps should be to secure the premises. You deserve to enjoy your vacation without worrying about the risk of burglary and its potential impact on your home’s value. Ensure that the doors and windows are closed and locked, and stop the mail so it doesn’t pile up on the front steps, which can be a red flag for potential intruders.
If you truly want to secure your home, you need to think about all potential entry points. The garage can be a big vulnerability if you’re not careful. Upgrading your garage with modern features like an automatic door provides added security and boosts the overall value of your property. You can secure your garage ahead of time by replacing your manual door with an automatic option that won’t have a lock on the outside that can be easily disabled. Having windows installed in your garage door can create a nice look, but you should cover them with privacy film before you leave so potential burglars can’t see what you have stored inside.
You can take many other home security steps to keep off the radar of would-be burglars. An easy one is to keep all valuables out of sight of the windows around the home. If you don’t have a security system, install one before a long trip and ensure it’s activated. Modern security systems enhance your peace of mind and add a valuable feature to your home, increasing its desirability in the real estate market. This may also be a time to purchase a safe to store your most precious possessions so you’re OK even in the case of a burglary.
Use Automation To Secure Your Home
While you must protect your home while you’re away, it’s possible to get carried away and be so worried that you won’t enjoy your trip. There are steps you can take to make your travel more carefree. Luckily, many home automation systems can help simulate activity in your home, which also enhances its market appeal by positioning it as a “smart home.”
If you’ll be gone for more than a couple of days, consider putting your lights on timers so they turn on at certain times of the night when lights would naturally be on. Granted, you don’t want to keep your lights on every minute of the day because that wouldn’t be realistic, and you’ll come home to a huge utility bill. You can set the lights up for different times and keep potential burglars guessing.
Also, consider automating your thermostat during the winter to prevent damage while you’re away. Adjusting the temperature a few degrees can save energy and avoid issues like frozen pipes or high humidity levels. Setting your thermostat properly while you’re on vacation can help ensure energy savings and home protection. Energy-efficient systems like programmable thermostats are highly valued in the real estate market, making these small adjustments a long-term investment in your home’s marketability.
While you’re fortifying your home, contact your alarm system company and let them know you’ll be gone for a while. That way, they can update their records and stay alert for alarms and suspicious activity.
Make Life Easier On Yourself
There are other ways to enjoy your vacation without constantly worrying about your home; one is to lean on your neighbors. If, over time, you have developed trust with a neighbor or two and can confide in them, then let them know you’ll be out of town and ask kindly if they can keep an eye on your property. Having a neighbor to help with tasks like bringing in the trash can also maintain your curb appeal, which is crucial for preserving your home’s value if you plan to sell in the future. You could also ask them to take out the trash on the designated day, so passersby see your home doing business as usual. If anything goes awry while you’re away, they can call you. Otherwise, you can relax during your travels.
Another way to make life easier for yourself is to keep the fact that you’re out of town a secret from people who don’t need to know. That means keeping off of social media during your trip. It can be enticing to want to post colorful vacation photos on Facebook or Instagram, but you’re really just informing strangers that you’re not home. Wait until you return to share your pictures.
Finally, consider installing motion sensor lights and cameras around your property that will turn on if anyone gets close. Criminals don’t want to risk the chance of being seen in the light or being recorded, so if they know you have them, they may leave the house alone to avoid the trouble. Keep the lights and cameras on even when you return for maximum protection all year round.
According to a report by the National Council for Home Safety and Security, homes with smart security systems have a 3.5% higher resale value than those without. Investing in these systems provides immediate security but increases the long-term value of your property.
By making all of these steps part of your home defense strategy, you can enjoy every minute of your travels without concern. You’ll be protecting your home today while ensuring that your property remains a valuable asset whether for future resale or as a long-term investment.
