Securing a property during rehab

[Patrick Reagan]

What are the most effective ways you have found to minimize the chances of vandalism and breaks-ins of your vacant property during the rehab?

[John Moore]

Security cameras and alarm system with audible alarm mounted on the exterior of structure, the camera st upthat you can monitor from your lap top. Post security signs on windows and exterior doors; this should minimize the problem. You can move the cameral from job sitge to job site.

[Patrick Reagan]

Sounds great,John.What are the costs like?

[Andy Collins]

I bought a security system from Simplisafe.com, you don't need a telephone line, but do need electricity. If the alarm goes off it alerts me and calls the police.

I put a wireless sensor on the front and back door, then put a motion detector in a place someone would walk by,,,it cost a couple of hundred dollars, the monitoring is about $30 a month, but when I'm between projects I just have the monitoring shut down...

Its very simple, about as cheap as I could find, and it works great

andy

[John Moore]

I acquired the camera set up a few years back and it cost me about a thousand dollars; however I've used it several times since. I believe prices have come down and there a plenty beign advertised. You might also consider talking to the local police on patrol and give them a heads up on your unsecured property. I always talk to the neighbors regarding what I'm doing, so they might keep an eye on the property as most appreciate the upgrade. And if the alarm does go off you need someone to call you.

[Patrick Reagan]

Thanks, John and Andy.Great ideas!

[Robert Carl]

If you are in a good neighborhood the neighbors will usually keep a good eye out and call police. Bars for windows on lower floors that look good are sold a Lowes. These bars have nice design and easy to install. Install door and door jam Enforcers. The best advice leave nothing of value and double lock up everything. Then you can sleep.

In bad neighborhoods consider yourself on your own. Police show little to no effort and neighbors will not help and often times are the crimnals or know the crimnals.

Secure everything in bad neighborhoods. Im in Baltimore and every house I have has been broken into at least twice. Police showed little to no help with the break ins. The best break in results were the ones where nothing was stolen because we left nothing of value in the house. Just had a tow dolley stolen.

[Mike Gallagher]

i use a low cost approach, and I've had good success. i bought a adt alarm sign and a camera sign, and put them out front. i bought 2 fake cameras. in the inside i have two lights attached to timers and a cheap radio attached to a timer.

[Patrick Reagan]

Thanks,Mike

[Stephan K.]

The minimum thing that I always do, even if I do not install an alarm, is to put some light on a timer that makes it look as if someone is home. In a bathroom or so, that you do not see from the outside that the home is empty.

[Patrick Reagan]

Thanks,Stephan

[Sam Leon]

I put up a sign with a skeleton and skull symbol.

Saying "CDC warning level 5 biohazard decontamination in progress do not approach or touch structure, if you or your pet feel disp

[Michaela G.]

I agree with the wireless alarm system. I have them on all of my houses.

In Atlanta some people go with a company like this, that closes up your windows and doors. http://www.vacantinvestmentprotection.com/

I'd be careful about the bars on the windows. My insurance company made me take them off all the windows, because it's a risk if there's a fire. All windows have to be able to be used as emergency exits. They only allow special window bars that can be quickly opened from the inside.

[Patrick Reagan]

Thanks,Michaela.Cool link - had not seen those before.