Temp surveillance services and devices

Temp surveillance services and devices

Investor · Fort Lauderdale, FL · Member since 2012 · 1k+ posts · 465 votes

For those of you who flips or do a rental turnover that the renovation may last a while - let's say longer then 3 months - during such time the property will be vacant and you may have expensive tools laying around, as well as materials and appliances being stored at various stages of the process, what do you do to secure and keep an eye on the property during that time?

The builder's risk insurance would cover the property but nothing else.

Do you set up any sort of internet based security cameras so you can watch what's going on at any time anywhere?

If so, do you just sign up internet services then cancel after 3 months?

As for the camera devices, any opinion on the best options?  Do you set up a computer at the property and connect the cameras to it and record everything when motion is detected so that you can review things later?  Or do you use those cameras that require no direct wiring or computer but all you can do is to see the current state of your property without any recording.  Do you use B&W cameras or color?  Resolution?  Do you find the need to manipulate the camera remotely like turn it this way or that or you think best to install multiple cameras covering all angles?

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  • Rental Property Investor · Encino, CA · Member since 2016 · 324 posts · 178 votes
    9y

    Simpli safe is awesome for that, easy to setup (peel and stick), and its month to month.

  • Investor · Scottsdale, AZ · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 885 votes
    9y

    I went to Fry's Electronics (Best Buy probably has them too) and bought a packet of 4 window alarms for $10 - I then took some fishing line and tied one end to the the alarm switch and ran the line across the gate and tied it to the other side at about ankle height. The "trip line" sets off the alarm when they hit it, and the thief has no idea what happens next, so bugs out. Try it. It works.

  • Realtor/Investor · Richmond (Houston), TX · Member since 2014 · 109 posts · 50 votes
    9y

    I use either cell signal based alarm system or wifi cameras with internet service - depending on how long I anticipate it to be vacant. I much prefer the wifi cameras (but you do have to get internet service) as they have motion detection that will send me an alert whenever the motion is broken and I can then pull up video and audio on my cell phone. I use cameras I get off of Amazon - Ouvis VZ1 wifi camera. Camera has pan/tilt/audio etc and they are only $50 each.  I have a couple watching a property right now with tools etc there for a remodel. Even has two way audio where if someone is there I can ask what they are doing through the camera. Has worked well for me. 

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