If you own a vacation rental property, you already know there is a lot to like about this type of investment. Not only do you have the potential to enjoy a financial gain over the long run, you can also enjoy the use of the property for yourself and your family from time to time.
Of course, there are challenges which come along with any type of property ownership, and the story is no different here. Specifically, you will need to deal with home security challenges when trying to protect a property that may not be used for stretches of time. We hope the tips listed below will help you protect your vacation rental.
Use the Lights
One of the easiest things you can do is to setup some of the lights in the home on a timer. That way, at least a few of the lights will be on for a period of time at night, making it look like someone is inside. Also, lighting can be used on the exterior of the home to make entryways easier to see from the street. If the front door is lit up at night, it’s less likely that someone will want to stand there while trying to get in.
Make Friends
If anyone who lives near your property happens to live there full-time, get to know them as ask them to keep an eye on the place from time to time. In some cases, it won’t be possible to have anyone nearby do the job, in which case you may want to turn to a security camera as a digital ‘set of eyes’.
An Alarm
Simply put, an alarm is one of the best things you can put in place to protect your property. For one thing, you’ll be able to check on the status of the property while you are away, as you’ll know if the alarm is on and secure. Also, the guests who rent out your property might appreciate the peace of mind that comes with being able to set the alarm each night when they go to bed.
Don’t Give Too Much Away Online
When trying to rent out your vacation property, you are obviously going to use the internet to your advantage. However, be careful not to provide too much information, as you never know who is reading your listing. For instance, if you say that your property will be vacant for an upcoming stretch of dates, and you also provide the address, you’ve virtually given an invitation for people with bad intentions to take advantage of your home.
Install a Quality Lock
Perhaps the most basic step of all is one that many people manage to miss out on. When setting up your property to be used as a rental, start by purchasing quality locks for all of the doors (and possibly windows, as well). With the locks in place, be sure that they are actually locked every time the property is left alone.