Keep Your Home Protected While You're Away

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You go on vacation to relax and get away from the stress of work. Worrying whether your home is safe should be the furthest thing from your mind. Lucky for you, we're here to help relieve you of that one stress that could follow you on your trip.These 6 steps will make you feel comfortable with the safety of your home while you're away:

1. Ask a friend or neighbor: There's no better way to feel at ease than knowing there is a pair of trusted eyes on your home. Have a friend or neighbor stop by regularly to make sure everything is as it should be. You could even have them take care of a pet, or water your plants while they're at it.
2. Don't tip criminals off online: While it's very tempting to shout your exciting vacation plans to the world, it's probably best to keep them low key - at least on the internet. It's just too easy for potential burglars to access that information. Besides, there are better ways to tell your friends about your plans than Facebook or Twitter.
3. Leave the lights off: One of the biggest misconceptions is that leaving the lights on will prevent crime. In reality, leaving lights on for consecutive days makes it obvious nobody is home. It wouldn't be a bad idea to invest in timers if you feel more comfortable leaving the lights on.
4. Stop your mail: There's no clearer sign a home is empty than an overflowing mailbox. Have your mail held by the post office or have a friend collect it for you.
5. Unplug your electrical devices: This will help prevent fires and even save you a few bucks on your electrical bill.
6. Remove your spare key: Don't make it any easier to enter your home than it needs to be. Either put your spare key inside the house, or have a friend or neighbor hold on to it.

Now you're ready to leave town with your mind at ease and feeling confident your home is protected. As always, if you are interested in buying, selling, or investing in the Austin area, I'd love to talk with you. Have a safe and happy summer!