The East Bay real estate market is diverse with both buyers and investors alike seeking a variety of different properties. As a prospective seller, you can find out the market value of your property with a free home value report right here, or if you're looking to purchase in the East Bay click here for full MLS access. Always feel free to reach out to us for any questions regarding the current market conditions, or the value of your property at 925-855-3432.
Protecting your Home while You're On Vacation this Summer
School is out and summer is here. It's getting stuffy in the office and you probably have an itch to get outside or just get away for a while. That's perfectly fine, but while you're out enjoying yourself you can't forget about protecting your home and all of your valuables. Here are 10 ways that you can protect your home while on vacation.- Don't post to social media websites because this lets everyone know that you're gone: You can wait to post pictures until after you have gotten back from your trip. Don't jeopardize your home just because you want everyone to know what a fantastic time you're having.
- Set timers for your lights: A lot of people simply leave their lights on, but this is not energy efficient and it also really doesn't fool potential burglars. If they see the same light on all day and night, it won't be hard for them to guess that you're not home. If possible, set multiple lights to go on and off at different times and in different places.
- Don't let your mail pile up: This is a dead giveaway. Either have a neighbor take your mail or go to the post office and put a hold on your mail until you return.
- Disconnecting all of your electronics can save you lots of money: Most devices, even if they are shut off, still sap energy if they are plugged in to the outlet. If you're going to be gone for a longer period of time, this is definitely something that you should consider.
- Keep your lawn looking nice: Either mow before your leave or get someone to mow your yard while your gone. An unkempt yard is an easy sign for a burglar that a home is empty, so make sure that the exterior of your home looks well-managed while you are gone.
- Remove spare keys: Don't keep your spare keys in a hidden location. Put them in your house to avoid someone snooping around for a spare key.
- Ask someone to watch your home: This is probably your best option. This person can pick up the mail, keep your lawn looking nice, and deter any suspicious activity with their presence.
- Test the smoke detectors in your property: It's better to be safe than sorry. Your neighbors may hear them going off and this might prevent a catastrophe from occurring.
- Let your neighbors know: Let your neighbors know that someone will be watching your home so they can expect to see them. This also increases the security of your home if you know that your block is keeping an eye on it.
- Leave a car in the driveway: If you have a second vehicle, leaving it in the driveway can make it appear that you are still at home.
As always, if you have any questions about this or if you would like to discuss East Bay real estate, then please do not hesitate to give me a call.
