Security cameras on flip property

[Rosie Geller]

How do you guys secure your flips in progress? I had an AC unit stolen. Ring? add Internet? Alarm system? What's most cost effective? considering i'm in and out in 90-120 days?

[Darren Lenick]

@Rosie Geller let me start of by saying I was in IT including live broadcasting of International tennis tournaments, so I have experience in security and security cameras.

The problem with using security cameras are:

- the resolution at night usually isn’t good enough to make identification unless you buy REALLY good cameras which will cost more then the AC unit you lost.

- even if you get an alert, the response time of police isn’t fast enough and your equipment is long gone. See above point as to why the police won’t catch whoever took the equipment.

If you’re looking to protect expensive equipment like AC units, then you likely have power at the house. Better to put up motion lights even at side of house as that puts a spotlight on the people trying to steel your equipment. Also alarm the house and transfer the monitoring to the new owners when you sell.

Lastly, MAKE FRIENDS WITH THE NEIGHBORS! Give them your cellphone number. I’m stressing this as this should be done from the day you buy the property. They are your best source for information. They want you to renovate and sell the house so that you help keep their property values up and give them good neighbors.

I’ve had neighbors give me the lowdown on other neighbors including a house that had a guy arrested for breaking into the local houses. They also alert me of suspicious people/vehicles or if the power went out.

In some cases, I offer to do minor repairs to their house, or at a minimum have my maintenance guy clean their yard or cut their grass for free. It’s a plus for me as curb appeal of your neighbors also affects the value of your property.