House for sale, keeping it safe....?

[JamisJockey]

We're currently renting, our lease comes up soon. The owners are putting the house up for sale, which basically means strangers will be coming and going from my house.
A) there will not be a keybox....the realtor can only come over when we're home.
B) we will not show the house to anyone that just comes to the door, and will actually post a sign on the door saying so. They have to have an appointment.
C) any firearm paraphenelia will be hidden from view, as well as jewelery and medications.

Any other thoughts for keeping safe in such circumstances, and making the house a non-target?

 

[brownie0486]

If they bring kids, keep an eye on them leaving their parents side and wandering around unattended.

My wife and I would take turns "babysitting" the kids that came over after one kid got loose and I caught him in my office with a "I wasn't doing anything" look on his face.

Brownie

 

[Sleuth]

I strongly suggest that you do what I did when we sold our house. I rented a secure locker (on site manager, well lit, etc.), and moved all but my carry gear out of the house. Buyers look in closets, under beds, etc. I'm afraid it's a case of :
"Move it or lose it!"

(And don't trust realtors either. I'm a loan officer, and some of them are really mopes, just better dressed.

 

[sm]

I know folks whom have a trusted relative, or friend of the family "housesit". Basically live in the house with the bare essentials. A deal is struck on cost of utilities and all. Deters crime as the house is not vacant, and the housesitter keeps things nice and tidy.

I have housesat over a long weekend, or vacation for friends. I had a friend do this for his brother's house when they moved out of state. We had about 6 of us students show up for a "cram session" for finals once.

Whew...house sold a week later, but that was some well needed study time. We all pitched in a helped to fine tune the final sprucing up and helped him move out. He then lived [housesat] for the summer , college student needing cheap housing. His reputation was sound. So a retired couple going to Europe and all used his services.

Win-win deal for all.

 

[JamisJockey]

I know folks whom have a trusted relative, or friend of the family "housesit".

Interesting idea, but I don't have that option, since I'm renting.



Thanks for the heads up on people's kids. It'll annoy the realtor, but I think we'll shadow them pretty damn closely.

 

[Vasilia Zhietzev]

ATC1-

try this site:

http://www.smarthome.com

there are some affordable options for a home security system. an unobtrusive cam & a motion sensor will trigger a VCR to record upon movement. i've installed things similar to this to watch the very expensive equipment on the site i'm working on, and if *i* can do it on my own, so can you.

luck to you.

VZ

p.s. i'd think erratic checks of the vacant home would be good practice in many ways, wink...