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I would just leave the Internet hooked up, and get a couple of plug in, always on cameras with motion recording. Just need one or two of them, put one in the living room and some other common area. I would also get a lamp and put it on a timer, or a smart outlet, so to a casual person, it at least looks someone might be there.
Be aware...not all insurance companies will continue to insure vacant properties. If they do, the policy can cost 3 or more times as much for equivalent coverage you had while occupying it. Before you approach them get some sort of security system in place, in particular one that is actively monitored. No, having a neighbor keep an eye on the house won't satisfy them, but definitely let trustworthy neighbor(s) know the house is vacant and to call if anything seems off. A light or two and/or radio on a timer somewhere indoors on use patterns similar to what you had while living there (but not in direct line of sight with a window) is still a simple deterrent.
We had a similar situation with a home sale earlier this year. Our agent advised us to leave a few pieces of furniture in the house that would be visible if someone looked in the window. They said that several insurers they knew would send someone out to see if the house was still occupied and if there was some furniture in it they would consider it to be occupied.
If you have sold the house it is now someone else's problem
Not until the escrow is closed.
Even when my properties were in escrow, I kept a close eye on the properties to make sure no damage occurred that I would be liable for until the keys were handed over.
We sold a house in Texas. . . in July. . . . after we had moved to North Carolina. The biggest problem that we had was realtors walking in to show the house and cranking the A/C down to 50 degrees, and then leaving it that way after they left. A/C ran 24/7 and finally just gave up after a few weeks. We had to shell out 5 grand for a new A/C unit. I wanted to take it out of their commissions.
My last home for sale sat vacant (no staging) for 4 months as we had relocated. We had a good sales agent who checked on the house at least once a week. She was not above tidying up if needed. She would call in the house cleaner if needed. She also checked on the landscaping and called the landscaper if any issues. Our neighbors knew it was for sale and they also kept an eye on it.
We sold a house in Texas. . . in July. . . . after we had moved to North Carolina. The biggest problem that we had was realtors walking in to show the house and cranking the A/C down to 50 degrees, and then leaving it that way after they left. A/C ran 24/7 and finally just gave up after a few weeks. We had to shell out 5 grand for a new A/C unit. I wanted to take it out of their commissions.
Wow. I had wifi controlled thermostats that I would change via app, and change the temperature an hour before showing, and then back to normal afterwards. That wifi controlled thermostat paid for itself, and was a bonus feature for the buyers.
The wifi thermostat also had a security lock code on it so no one could change it but me. Pretty convenient.
Wow. I had wifi controlled thermostats that I would change via app, and change the temperature an hour before showing, and then back to normal afterwards. That wifi controlled thermostat paid for itself, and was a bonus feature for the buyers.
The wifi thermostat also had a security lock code on it so no one could change it but me. Pretty convenient.
I have those now and they are great. I wish that they were available 13 years ago.
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