New Home in STV - 1st Couple of Months Vacant (Surprise: to rent, crime)

[BlueCat1105]

I anticipate our brand new home will have to be vacant for its first couple of months as we wrap up our lives in Illinois. It should be done around mid-August, but at the rate they're going, it may be done a month early. We don't anticipate being able to move until October (maybe a little sooner) so it will be vacant right off the bat for a couple of months. It won't have a fridge or a washer/dryer to worry about until we get there, but the stove, microwave and dishwasher will be there.

I was looking at the other thread about snowbirds closing up their places, and wonder what you would suggest we do in the time between closing and when we can finally relocate. Thanks for any tips you can offer!

[asufan]

Originally Posted by BlueCat1105

I anticipate our brand new home will have to be vacant for its first couple of months as we wrap up our lives in Illinois. It should be done around mid-August, but at the rate they're going, it may be done a month early. We don't anticipate being able to move until October (maybe a little sooner) so it will be vacant right off the bat for a couple of months. It won't have a fridge or a washer/dryer to worry about until we get there, but the stove, microwave and dishwasher will be there.

I was looking at the other thread about snowbirds closing up their places, and wonder what you would suggest we do in the time between closing and when we can finally relocate. Thanks for any tips you can offer!

I would have the power on and keep the AC on, maybe 82-83 degrees at a minimum so the doors don't warp. Or maybe it would be more cost effective to just replace the doors after you arrive. You may want to invest in a visit from the pest control company too. I assume you aren't going to rent it out, just leave vacant? Window treatments, sunscreens or hanging sheets in the windows would be a good idea too for both crime and keeping the heat out.

[timtemtym]

Lights on timers! AC on mildly, Definitely get it sprayed for pests before you get there as empty houses attract all kinds of wildlife. I always wonder how these places go empty for a few months being "closed up" without getting totally robbed. Even in nicer areas, I'm sure it happens.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by timtemtym

Lights on timers! AC on mildly, Definitely get it sprayed for pests before you get there as empty houses attract all kinds of wildlife. I always wonder how these places go empty for a few months being "closed up" without getting totally robbed. Even in nicer areas, I'm sure it happens.

One word: Neighbors.

In Surprise, the volunteer police (90 strong) walk the lot every few days.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by BlueCat1105

I anticipate our brand new home will have to be vacant for its first couple of months as we wrap up our lives in Illinois. It should be done around mid-August, but at the rate they're going, it may be done a month early. We don't anticipate being able to move until October (maybe a little sooner) so it will be vacant right off the bat for a couple of months. It won't have a fridge or a washer/dryer to worry about until we get there, but the stove, microwave and dishwasher will be there.

I was looking at the other thread about snowbirds closing up their places, and wonder what you would suggest we do in the time between closing and when we can finally relocate. Thanks for any tips you can offer!

Read the other thread and follow the tips. Since you don't know any neighbors, maybe buy a wireless IP camera to sleep easier at night or add a security system. But you really don't have anything to steal.

[timtemtym]

Originally Posted by MN-Born-n-Raised

One word: Neighbors.

In Surprise, the volunteer police (90 strong) walk the lot every few days.

That's really good! In my parents' neighborhood in a decent part of Houston their neighbors went out of the country for a month of travel, they alerted the neighbors and that's exactly who cleaned out their house!

[AZ Tracy]

I'm sure the new home salesperson is aware you won't be occupying the home for awhile. Ask them to keep and eye out for you - they are in the neighborhood daily.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by timtemtym

That's really good! In my parents' neighborhood in a decent part of Houston their neighbors went out of the country for a month of travel, they alerted the neighbors and that's exactly who cleaned out their house!

I have two Surprise police on our block and we occasionally hang out. We have a captain watch program with a lot of us that watch for suspicious activity. After that, I also have IP camera's, a cell security system, home automation that uploads cell images, a next door neighbor that takes away my flyers, etc. So I have done about everything that I can.

AZ is a bad place to burglarize. There are a TON of people that carry. Many people would thoroughly enjoy protecting their property to the fullest extent of the law.

[CheyDee]

Originally Posted by asufan

Window treatments, sunscreens or hanging sheets in the windows would be a good idea too for both crime and keeping the heat out.

Some HOA's do not allow sheets to be hung in the windows.

[observer53]

To me, the potential for vandalism, if not outright burglary (including copper theft) is huge. If you have to get real window treatments, get them. Yes, enlist the neighbors and the salesperson/people to keep an eye out for trouble. Let the neighbors park a car in your driveway and pick up flyers that get put on the door or bagged up in rocks on the driveway. Yes to the lights on timers. All of that will help.