Protect your home from thieves when it's for sale

Home for sale? Protect your property

May 29, 2013 2:38 AM  |  

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Staying safe after you buy

Most homeowners know it’s a good idea to change the locks after taking possession of a new home. These additional measures can help ensure your home’s security.

Watch your trash. It’s fun to treat yourself to a new TV in your new home. Just don’t leave the box on your front lawn as an advertisement for thieves. Take it to a Dumpster.

Plant some green deterrents. Prickly roses or holly bushes in front of windows can discourage burglars, who often want to avoid even the smallest amount of pain, said Leslie Piper, a California Realtor.

Invest in a home security system. The monitoring company’s sign is a known deterrent, Piper said.

Know your neighbors. Introduce yourself and get to know the residents living nearby. There’s no substitute for good neighbors.

“Building a network within your community and in your neighborhood is very important,” Piper said.

A home on the market is an easy target for thieves. Open houses and showings literally can open the door to shady characters with sticky fingers.

Leslie Piper, a veteran Realtor in California, tells the story of a client who stashed her grandmother’s watch in an underwear drawer, thinking it would be safe there. A few weeks passed, and the watch disappeared.

“It is such a clear example that you can’t assume people won’t open drawers” when touring a for-sale home, Piper said. “Your underwear drawer may be the first place they look.”

Fortunately, homeowners can take simple steps to prevent burglaries and protect their home during the selling process.

Hide the valuables. Criminals are looking for small items they can slip into a pocket, purse or backpack. Lock away the valuables or at least hide them in spots that would create extra work for would-be thieves, Piper said. Box up the good silverware and put it in the back of a closet, behind the winter coats and board games. Hide smaller items in a shoebox under the far side of the bed.

Consider what’s valuable. Diamond earrings are an obvious target. But what about your spare car key? Don’t risk waking up in the middle of the night to the sound of someone driving your car away.

Lock away your bills, too, so you don’t share your credit card and other account numbers with everyone who walks through your open home.

“Nowadays, someone can steal a credit card and buy new furniture online,” Piper said.

Install a security system. A good home security system can keep visitors from coming back later to help themselves to your possessions, Piper said. Also consider using motion-sensor lights and security cameras to keep an eye on anyone hanging around outside.

Check your doors and windows. Sometimes a door or window will be left unlocked after a showing. Or a thief could crack a window with the intention of returning.

Give your empty home a lived-in look. If you move before you sell, consider leaving behind some furnishings to make the place look occupied. Invest in a few lamps that are set on timers, Piper said. Ask neighbors to grab mail, newspapers or flyers that show up, and have them call you if anything looks amiss.