Securing Your Home While You Are Away | Journey Home Lending

You bought it…the home of your dreams! You made it through the home viewing process, the inspection process, the closing process…and now it is all yours.

As you get settled in and make your house a home, it’s likely the last thing you are thinking about is going away. That is, until the kids are out of school and bouncing off the walls while you try to organize, work is becoming more and more of a drag and the weather is so beautiful.

Clearly it is time for a vacation. Getting away for a bit can actually be a great way to keep the excitement you felt as you found and completed buying your home, especially when you know everything is secure.

Avoid a Disaster

Some security measures might seem obvious, like locking the doors and closing the garage, but taking care of your home while you are gone should also include some preparations to avoid potential disasters.

Check the predicted weather for while you are gone. If storms are predicted, make sure loose objects like trash cans or patio furniture are secured. If the weather is going to be cold, take steps to protect your pipes. Turn off and unplug as many electronics as possible to guard against potential power surges. Set your HVAC so that your home maintains a steady temp in order to avoid moisture imbalances that could lead to mold or other damages.

Even if the weather is going to be fair and mild, consider storing valuable paperwork or other goods in a safe space off of the ground. Flooding never happens at a convenient time, and the more you can prepare for anything, the more you can relax while you are away.

Keep It Safe

If your new home has an alarm system that is monitored, let your security company know you will be gone and any day you have someone coming in to check on your home. Avoid posting on social media networks until after you are back home.

This is particularly important if your home was on the market for a long time before you purchased it, as it could already be a potential target for theft if someone believes it is still unoccupied.

Even if you don’t have a security system, plan out a few safe ways to make it look like someone is home. This can include putting lights on timers, both indoors and outdoors.

Keep a car in your driveway if possible, and have a friend come by periodically to check the mail and take a look at the house. You could also put a security sign in your yard to deter any potential unwanted visitors and provide a little extra piece of mind while you are gone.

It may be tempting to close all your blinds before you go, but you should instead set them where they would normally be in order to maintain the illusion that you are still home. It is also not a good idea to take a break from lawn care, as this could be another indicator that no one is home. Arrange for someone to cut your grass on your regular schedule, and don’t forget to have any plants you have put in watered.

Your new home is your new sanctuary. Keep it that way even when you are away, and know that you are returning to everything you dreamed about.

Ready to start your homeowner journey? Contact us, and we will walk alongside you every step of the way.