How To Protect Your Vacant Home From Vandals and Damage!

 

A Huge Problem For Property Owners

 

Vandalism is a huge problem and a very serious subject for anyone that owns a home that is vacant.  While you look at your property as an asset, thieves look at it the same way.  Copper plumbing, light fixtures, appliances, HVAC systems and even solid wood doors and mantles have street value to thieves.  Your property can be destroyed in the span of several weeks, and once people start coming into the home, activity only increases.

 

Insurance Coverage Can Be Lost On Vacant Homes

 

If your property is vacant, many insurance policies have provisions that allow the insurance company not to pay for your damages.  Most insurance policies will cancel coverage if the property has been vacant for any length of time.

 

Thus, if you have a fire or other extensive damage caused by either vandals or nature, you may not have the insurance in place to make you whole.

 

What Should You Do With The Property?

 

If you own a vacant property, the hard part is figuring out what to do.  If the property is not in good enough shape to rent out or sell to an owner/occupant, you may be at risk to have the property sit for a significant period of time.

 

Thus, the decision to permit and renovate the property until it can be rented or sold is typically the only choice that most homeowners can choose.

 

Another Solution To Solve Your Problem

 

Our company specializes in purchasing and renovating boarded up and vacant properties that need renovation.  We have long-term contractors that give us excellent prices on repair work, and we have the renovation process down to a system.  Thus, we tend to be able to pay more for properties than any other investor in the area.

 

We also have a report that details how we can buy any home quicker than the typical 30 days it takes other investors and owner occupants.  If this at all interests you, we would very much like to have a no-pressure conversation about our services.  If you don’t want to renovate yourself, I would urge you to call us to see if we can work something out that would be fair to both of us.

 

 

 

 

What To Do Today To Protect Your Property

 

Lights

 

I generally purchase four of the super-bright halogen box style exterior lights and have them mounted on all four corners of the house.  These are usually set up so that they come on when it gets dark.  The neighbors may be curious about what you are doing, but I explain that this is to protect them as well.  I haven’t had anyone put up a fight after explaining how the lights will make them safer.

 

These lights are taken down when the house eventually rents or is sold but I will leave them up if I’ve had repeated problems.  If you find that they do not “stick out” like sore thumbs on the house you may just want to leave them up.

 

Plastic Tape

 

Go to Home Depot or your hardware store and get some red plastic tape (like “crime scene” tape) that you can attach to the back of the house or to trees around the house.  Obviously this is a drastic measure and will most likely draw attention from the neighbors and possibly city officials but nevertheless, it will surely keep thieves out as a last resort.

 

Cameras

 

Buy fake security cameras and mount them near doors and where they can be seen.  Get some signs that say “Security Cameras on Premises” and place them in the yard or on windows and doors if they are the stickers.  You can find very good imitation cameras at www.drleonards.com.  They are cheap, real looking, and even have a blinking light.

 

Signs

 

Put signs on all doors and low windows that state:

 

“All workers are instructed not to leave any tools or materials on premises.”  You can easily do these on your home computer and laminate them to make them look more professional.  Although some vandals break into homes that are being worked on or constructed to steal tools, they will see your property as not being worth it since contractors are being instructed to take all tools and hardware home, even though there is actually no work going on anyways.

 

You can also buy the square “HIGH VOLTAGE” signs and attach put them up in your windows.

 

Make Sure That Your Insurance Is Really Covering You

 

Have the right insurance.  Check with your insurance company to see if you need to change your policy now that your property is vacant.  Many times carrying a builder’s risk policy will properly cover you from vandalism and material losses.

 

 

The Loudest Security System That You Can Find

 

Put in a basic security system, or if this is too much money, get some security company signs and put them in your yard.  We usually let the alarm ring for some time to show people that the system is up.  Typically in some areas, break-ins are done by people who live nearby.  Let that alarm ring to let them know that you are wired.

 

Fake Dogs

 

An investor I know uses electronic devices that sound like dogs barking.  This is a good tool as well and you can find them at www.tbotech.com. 

 

Car In The Driveway

 

If you have an old clunker or an extra car available, leave it at the house in the driveway.  If you can make the house look lived in, that will do more for you than any other idea.  Spending a couple thousand on an old car and a few pieces of furniture for front windows could save you from spending far more to cover damages.

 

Conclusion

 

If you have a vacant house, you must take immediate action to make sure that no damages or problems arise.  If you have any questions, or trouble finding any of the materials that we suggest you use, feel free to call us and we’d be happy to help you out.

 

We would love to work with you if you are interested in selling your vacant home.  You can call the number below to contact us directly.  You can also submit your property information on our website and we will get in touch with you right away.