Tips To Avoid Being Burglarized This Summer

The number of residential break-ins spike during the summer months. In 10 minutes, approximately 40 homes will be burglarized. That averages one burglary for every 15 seconds. So whether you will be jet setting around the world or going on a weekend getaway this summer, make your home less attractive to thieves with these 10 tips.

Lock All Points of Entry
According to security company ADT, 40 percent of all burglaries were no-forced entries meaning someone was able to walk, crawl, or climb inside the house. Before leaving make sure to lock all windows and doors, including the door leading into the garage.

Set Your Alarm
Homes without an alarm system are three times more likely to be burglarized. Your security company should wire all windows and doors to the alarm system, including the window over the sink and all points of entry on a second floor. Make sure to set your alarm before leaving your house, even if it is just for a quick errand.

Conceal Your Trash
After purchasing a pricey electronic or appliance, break down the empty box and conceal it in a trash can before placing it next to the curb for trash day. Leaving an empty box by the curb will let anyone canvassing the area know about your newest purchase and heighten their curiosity of valuables in the home.

Create an Illusion Someone is Home
Don’t leave signs of an empty house when going on vacation. Set the lights and radio or television on a timer to give the illusion someone is home. If you are worried about electricity, fluorescent light bulbs reduce electricity use and are environmental friendly.

Prune Back Shrubbery
Cut back any overgrown shrubs and trees around windows and doors. Overgrown foliage provides potential hideouts for burglars waiting to break into the home and a place to hide if something goes wrong. Houses with visible entry points to the street and open yards are less appealing to thieves.

Keeping Up With Appearances
Overflowing mailboxes and piled up newspapers are signs of being on vacation. Mail and newspapers can be stopped while on vacation or hire a house sitter to stop by daily to pick up any mail, newspapers, and any leaflets left on the door.

Bolt Safes Down
Often times, homeowners think valuables are protected if they’re in safes, even if it isn’t bolted down. Burglars will take the unbolted down safe with them and open it when they aren’t under pressure. If you are worried about valuables on vacation, keep them in a safety deposit box.

Check Your Check-Ins
Avoid announcing your vacation on social media and checking in on geo-tracking apps such as FourSquare. Websites like www.pleaserobme.com allow burglars to keep track of your whereabouts.

Put Away Outside Toys
Lock up anything lying around in plain sight. Leaving items like bikes or scooters in your yard can attract thieves to your property who will roll away with your possessions.

Redecorating
Consider hanging privacy curtains or thin curtains on any bare windows. Privacy curtains still allow light in, but make it difficult for peepers to see valuables in the room and if the alarm is set.

Maggie Olague

Summerizing Your Home Summer maintenance is really about keeping things running smoothly so you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the more sublime pleasures of summer-like alfresco dinners with friends and family, puttering in the garden and lazy afternoons reading in the hammock. Keep It Cool:   The first order of business is keeping your space cool. Make sure your air conditioning is running efficiently by putting in a clean air filter and cleaning air vents. During periods of heavy A/C use, replace filters every 30 days. Outside, clear the area around the unit so that the air intake vents aren't blocked by shrubs, leaves, or other debris. Keep thermostat set at the highest temperature that still feels comfortable and make sure it's set to “auto” and not “fan.” Maximize Passive Cooling:    Keep your place cooler without A/C, or at least without cranking it quite so high, by working with nature. Close blinds or curtains on east-facing walls in the morning, south-facing walls during the day and west-facing in the evening. Shading skylights against harsh daytime rays can also help keep things cooler. Close windows and doors to keep cool air in during the day and open at night to let fresh breezes in. Using cross ventilation—opening windows at opposite ends of a house or room--can help draw cool air inside and force warm air out. You can enhance the effect with a strong fan stationed at one of the windows.    Use ceiling fans to circulate air. Moving air will make a space feel cooler, whether you are using air conditioning or not. If you have the type of fan that lets you change the direction the blades spin, make sure that during summer months, you have the blades spinning in the direction that pushes air down instead of drawing it up.    Plant trees. Trees will lower the overall temperature of the yard as well as create cool, shady spots for outdoor lounging. Before planting, consider what kind of tree would be best for your climate. Strategically-placed deciduous trees will provide cooling shade in the summer, then lose their leaves to let sun stream through in the winter. Evergreens will provide shade in summer and a windbreak in the winter. Don't forget to factor in how big that tiny sapling will eventually get.    Check windows and doors to make sure seals are in good condition. Re-caulk if necessary and replace missing or damaged weather stripping.    Avoid creating extra heat in house by limiting oven and stove use. Clean the lint drawer on the dryer frequently and check the vents going to the outside to maximize dryer efficiency. Turn off lights when you leave a room. Clean, Inspect and Repair:    Get the fireplace prepped for cooler months. Sweep ashes and other debris out of the fireplace and wipe down the screen and other exterior surfaces. Hire a chimney sweep to remove buildup inside the chimney. Stock up on wood during summer to give it extra time to season.    Inspect decks, looking for loose or cracked boards or nails sticking out. Check underneath for structural damage or evidence of termites or other critters. Power wash decks and determine if they need to be resealed. To test, pour a little bit of water onto the deck. If it beads, the deck can go for another year. If the water is absorbed into the wood, it's time to sand and reseal.    Inspect the exterior of the house. Check the foundation, chimney exterior, sidewalks and other hardscape for cracks or leaky spots. Inspect roof for missing shingles or damage. While you're up there, clean out the gutters, checking for holes and broken connections. Rent a power washer to give the exterior a good cleaning and check to see if siding needs touch-up or repair. Summer is also an excellent time to clean, repair, and re-seal driveways. Keep the Patio Looking Good:    Clean up the debris of winter and spring by washing windows and sweeping outdoor areas. Clean outdoor furniture and re-stain if necessary. Metal and plastic furniture can be washed with a mixture of warm water and a small amount of dish detergent. Vacuum cushions and pillows. Removable covers can be tossed into the washing machine. Clean non-removable covers by spraying a mixture of 1 teaspoon of borax, 1 teaspoon of dishwashing detergent and 1 quart of water onto fabric, then hosing off.    Deep clean the grill. Clean charcoal grills by removing all old coals and scraping out anything stuck to the surface, then finish by washing out with warm, soapy water. Clean grates when they're warm with a stiff wire brush. Take gas grills apart, examining parts as you go to make sure they're in good shape and not blocking fuel flow. Even if the grill has a “clean” setting, give everything a thorough cleaning before putting back together. Special Care for the Summer Yard:    Keep seasonal equipment in good working order by checking and cleaning lawn and gardening tools. Sharpen lawn mower blades, hedge clippers and pruning shears if necessary. Set lawnmower blades to cut grass to three inches or higher and keep grass longer during hot months to encourage deeper root growth.    Keep the yard healthy and looking fresh by putting down two inches of fresh mulch in flower beds to help keep the soil cool and retail moisture. Trim bushes and vines to discourage overgrowth and critter infestation. Pull weeds when they're small to keep them from getting well-established. Freshen up a fading garden with warm weather herbs like basil and cilantro or pop in a few summer annuals like zinnias or salvia to brighten up a tired-looking spot. And mostly importantly, park yourself a lawn chair outside and call it a day. !~!

          READY TO SELL?  SOME TIPS FOR PREPARING

Spring is considered the optimum time sell; 50 percent of homes are sold during this time. However, it might not be ideal for how quickly you need to move or be desirable for your geographical location. Play up the perks of your home by adapting it to the season with these tips: Spring Tips   Go for Sparkle: Impress buyers with a clean, good smelling house. Open up windows and let fresh air flow in and scrub your home from top to bottom to make it glisten. Ac-scent: Infuse your home with spring like aromas. Scents can change the overall feel of a space, so consider adding candles, diffusers, or fresh cut flowers to change the mood. Bring Spring Indoors: Create a fresh inexpensive look by replacing the pillows on your couch or throw pillows on your bed with ones that have brighter colors.   Enhance the Exterior: Welcome buyers with an inviting and clean entry. Paint the front door if needed and add seasonal plants and a welcome mat by the front door. Clear any debris from the yard to make it appear cleaner. Pare Down Possessions: De-clutter closets and pare down possessions to create the illusion of more space. If there are dark corners in the house, get rid of clutter and paint the area a lighter color that will reflect light.  Summer Tips   Up the Curb Appeal: The landscape is the first thing buyers will see. Mow the yard, pull the weeds, and plant summery colored flowers like yellow or orange to welcome buyers. Consider upping the curb appeal with lights that frame the walkway. Control the Air Temperature: Air conditioning is critical in the summer months. A cool temperature will keep potential buyers comfortable and relaxed while touring your home.   Outdoor Living: Outdoor living rooms are a great selling point for summer. Create an outdoor area that will come alive when entertaining guests and complete with a grill and table set. Finish the look with tableware accessories from dishes to placemats. Decorating for the Season: Swap out all dark and warm-colored linens and window treatments for ones that are light and airy. Lighter colors maximizes the amount of natural light in a room.  Fall Tips   Brighten your Blooms: Replace dying blossoms from summer with ones that flourish in the fall and clear out any lingering weeds and leaves in flowerbeds for a flawless look.                                                                                                                                                                            Let There be Light: Daylight hours are getting shorter, and less intense sunlight makes good interior light more important. Lighten things up by turning on more lights or replacing light bulbs to give a warmer glow.   Heat Things Up: Tap into the simple things this time of year that make you feel at home. If your home has a fireplace, light a fire when buyers come around to create a cozy atmosphere. Update Listing Photos: Keep your listing pictures as current as possible. If your house has been on the market for a while, update listings pictures from the previous season. Pictures from past seasons make the listing seem dated. Winter Tips:   Tend the Exterior: Ensure that the walkway is shoveled and ice-free and the house looks well maintained. Make sure any minor repairs are taken care of that could deter a potential buyer. Subtle Holiday Touches: Anything seasonally appropriate can be used to accentuate positive features in the house. Festive greenery, a winter wreath on the front door, or Christmas lights hung on the doorframe or front porch can spark interest. Make sure the festive touches compliment the house color palette and are kept to a minimum.   Make it Homey: Create a cozy environment that allows buyers to picture themselves in the house. Warm, fuzzy throws, a lit fireplace, and aromas like chocolate chip cookies, baked apple pie, or cinnamon give the home a homier atmosphere. Emphasize Winter Positives: Mention to buyers if your home is on a bus route or other vital service that is regularly plowed or de-iced. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~                      SERVING SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOR OVER 13 YEARS! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If You Have Any Questions, I Invite Your Call!  THINKING OF BUYING OR SELLING? ADVANTAGE REAL ESTATE CELL:  909.910.2481   EMAIL: cjadvantage@verizon.net BRE: 01396688 GIVING YOU THE EDGE IN REAL ESTATE!

RECENTLY SOLD IN CHINO HILLS

"GORGEOUS HOUSE IN THE HILLS"

(SOLD IN 13 DAYS/ 45 DAY ESCROW)

TURNKEY 3 Bd./ 2.5 BATH; CORNER LOT; 

LISTED AT $ 625,500 ~~~ SOLD AT $627,999

 SERVING MY REAL ESTATE CLIENTS FOR OVER 13 YEARS!  ANY REAL ESTATE QUESTIONS ON YOUR MIND ..... I AM HERE TO HELP! .... CJ   909.910.2481

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