Backyard barbecues, pool parties, slip n’ slides, family vacations—these are just some of the summer pastimes we’re all getting to enjoy again this year, now that the pandemic is starting to wane.
And if you’re among the thousands of people who are traveling this summer, you’re probably busy planning what you need to pack, what the kids will want during the drive, and who’s taking care of the pets.
But there’s something else to consider too before you go: the best way to keep your home safe and in top shape while you’re gone. You don’t need a home value estimator to imagine just how disastrous a break-in, fire, or other problem could be for your home equity or value, if you’re getting ready to sell your home.
Here are a fewtips from top agents to ensure that the home you come back to is in just as good of a condition as the one you left.
Install a simple security camera or smart doorbell.
These days, security cameras are inexpensive and easy to install, so if you’re going to be traveling for an extended period of time, it may make sense to purchase one.
You can either set it up inside your home, so it can see through a window, or set it up externally—on your porch ceiling, for example.
Other security products like smart doorbells, which have cameras that you access from your mobile phone, may also be helpful in deterring burglaries or other crimes of opportunity.
Set timers for your interior lights.
When you’re out of your home for days or weeks, one of the best protections is also a simple one: make it seem like someone’s home most of the time.
To that end, consider setting timers for your overhead lights in rooms like the kitchen, family room, and main bedroom. You can purchase light timers at hardware stores or home improvement stores, and set them using a dial (for simpler models) or using a mobile app for digital timers that can be integrated across your entire home.
If your home is listed for sale, ask your real estate agent to check on your home.
A trustworthy realtor can give you peace of mind in so many ways, and one of them is to be an extra set of eyes on your home while you’re out of town.
If you’re in the process of selling, a burglary, vandalism, fire, or other catastrophe can spell the end for a contract and set you back weeks or months, in addition to all the emotional distress that such things cause.
In a case like this, it’s highly recommended that you take all the precautions you can to protect your home, and that includes asking your real estate agent to drive by once or twice to check things out.
