preventing vandalism/breaking and entering

[Jolynna Mccune]

Hi there.  I'm new to this site and new to real estate investing, and hoping some of you seasoned pros might have some advice for me.  I am a real estate agent in the Memphis market, working on rehabbing my first investment property.  I bought it at foreclosure and it was in very bad shape - a complete gut job.  I'm over half finished with the project, but now am having security issues.  I've been lucky so far, but now I'm having a problem.  A few nights ago someone broke into the house through the back door by breaking glass and coming on in.  We replaced the door and also put up a wrought iron security door on both the front and the back doors.  But last night someone broke a window - one of my brand new windows too!  I just had them installed last week.  Since they know they house is vacant now, I am expecting this to continue unless I can find a way to stop it.  Any advice would be MUCH appreciated!

[Matthew B.]

@Jolynna Mccune 

Cover the windows so that no one can see inside and see that the house is empty. Get some lights and set them on timers to go on and off throughout the night. The type of timers that people use for Christmas lights work great. Get an old boombox and set it on a timer as well, day and night. Be sure to turn up the volume so it can be heard outside the house. Find an old tube TV with an antenna and let it run. If you have blinds covering the windows, the flickering of the TV will make people think there is someone inside. Security system signs work as well, whether or not the system is actually installed.

Also, make friends with the neighbors and ask them to keep an eye out for your house. I trimmed a neighbor's trees for her and told her I just wanted her to watch my house when I wasn't around. She repaid me by calling the police on my electrician when she wasn't able to reach me on the phone! Better safe than sorry I guess.