When you have to move quickly, you don’t always have the opportunity to sell your old house before moving to your new home. Unfortunately, this means you’ll have to leave your old house empty while it’s on the market. In most situations, the house will be fine, but empty homes are almost always a target for theft and vandalism. Luckily, keeping your house safe after you’ve worked with Denver movers to transport your stuff is relatively simple. Here are a few tips to help.
Maintain the Landscaping
Overgrown landscaping is a tell-tale sign of a vacant property. In addition to making it more obvious to thieves and vandals that the home is empty, it makes the home less appealing to prospective buyers. Instead, hire a landscaping company to maintain the yard once a week. This way, the home’s exterior will look great for future showings and give the appearance that someone is still checking in on the property frequently, even if you’re already out of town.
Keep the Security System Active
It may be tempting to cancel your home security system once your belongings are moved out, but doing so puts the property at risk. Keep your security service active until the property sells and the new owners are ready to take over. If a thief breaks in, the alarm will trigger the authorities even if you’re in a different state.
Enlist the Help of a Neighbor
If you have a neighbor you trust, consider giving them a spare key to the house and ask them to look in on the property every few days if possible. If thieves are targeting the house, they’ll notice frequent activity and be less tempted to break in. If your neighbors are unwilling or unable to help, ask your realtor to swing by now and then, even if they don’t have a showing.
Leave Lights on a Timer
Nothing makes it look like someone still lives in a house, like the light turning on when it gets dark. Leave a few lamps in the house and hook each lamp up to a timer. Stagger the settings in different rooms to give the appearance of activity in the house. Once the house sells, you can remove the lamps and reuse the timers at your new home when you’re away on vacation.
Doublecheck the Locks
Often, the best form of protection is the simplest. Before moving out, double-check the locks on the windows, doors, and garage if you have one. If any of them are damaged or need to be replaced, take care of them before moving into your new home. When you’re ready to leave the house for the last time, check each window and door to ensure that they’re locked securely.
Protecting your house after the movers come doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, with a little prep work, your old house will be safe and sound long after the movers take your belongings to your new home. For more advice on how to get your home ready for an upcoming move, check out our blog and call Eden’s Moving Service at 1-877-887-8248 to schedule a free no-obligation moving estimate.
