Because Burglars Don't Go on Vacation

Before you rush out of your door to leave on summer vacation, don't forget--Burglars are hard at work. According to FBI statistics, most communities will experience a 10 to 18 percent increase in home burglaries during the months of July and August.  According to the Insurance Information Institute, 9 out of 10 home break-ins could be prevented if homeowners would take simple steps to burglarproof their homes.

Here are ten top-notch tips our sales team from Wardley Real Estate has collected to help you protect your home while you're away.

1. Ask for Help
   Having someone visit the home or even stay in it while you're away is a great way to protect your property. Bringing in the mail, watering the plants, and mowing the lawn are all helpful to give the home a "lived in" look even while you're away.
   
   
2. Leave the Lights On
   A home without lights on is an empty home, and thieves know this. Consider leaving a strategically placed light on while you're gone, or investing in a timer that will shut the lights on during the evening hours when you would normally be using them while not at home.
   
   
3. Be Cautious Online
   Don't announce your trip online, and consider waiting until you're back to post the onslaught of picture you're taking. Thieves are excellent at tracking down houses after finding out their occupants are on vacation. Remember, anything you post online can be seen by others, even if you think your content is secure.
   
   
4. Hide the Goods
   Don't make your house alluring to thieves by leaving important and valuable items, like your flat-screen TV or jewelry, within view of a window. If possible, move these things out of sight. If you can't move them, keep the window that shows them closed while you're gone.
   
   
5. Lock the Gate
   Thieves often will enter a home through the backyard to avoid being seen, so consider locking your gate on your fence to make it just a little harder for your home to be broken into.
   
   
6. Stop the Mail and Newspaper
   Nothing says "I'm on vacation" quite like a mailbox full of mail. It only takes a would-be thief a moment to open the door and see if your box is full. You can give the post office notice to hold your mail until your return, and you won't have to worry about leaving this tell-tale sign behind. Do the same with your newspaper.
   
   
7. Use the Drive
   Ask your neighbor if they want to park one of their cars in the drive from time to time while you're gone. This will give the appearance that someone's home. Your neighbor might appreciate the extra parking space as well.
   
   
8. Have the Lawn Mowed
   Hire a service to mow your yard while you're gone, and consider having the shrubs and other parts of your landscaping trimmed as well. This is especially important if you're typically on top of your yard work.
   
   
9. Lock Everything
   Don't just lock the doors. Lock the windows too. Keep your home locked tight so you aren't inviting a casual intruder in through an unlocked window.
   
   
10. Shut off the Water
    Intruders aren't the only risk when you're on vacation. A burst pipe will cause thousands of dollars of damage if it occurs when you're gone. Prevent this risk by shutting off the main water supply.
    
    

When you get back from vacation and are ready to start the search for a home, our real estate agents are ready to assist you. Contact Wardley Real Estate today to talk to a qualified agent who can help you buy a home in the Las Vegas real estate area.