Are You Buying Your First Home?

If you, or someone you know, is buying their first home in Myrtle Beach or elsewhere, there are so many things to take care of! It’s exciting to own your own home. It’s also a bit intimidating and scary at times. The responsibility of a mortgage alone can create stress.

Besides working with a Realtor to view and buy a home and a bank to get approved for a mortgage you should also consider a relationship with your local security company!

From Renter to Homeowner: Responsibilities Mount!

• When you rent a home and you have a leak, you call your landlord.
• When you own a home and you have a leak, you call your plumber.
• When you rent a home and your HVAC system breaks, you call your landlord.
• When you own a home and your HVAC system breaks, you call the HVAC company.

Home maintenance bills mount and all repairs are now on you!

Preventing problems and maintaining a home and property become priority.

Preventing a home invasion, a fire or other disaster should also be high on your to-do list as a new homeowner.

How Your Security Company Can Help!

We at Strand Security have put together this quick check list for the first time homeowner.

Feel free to share it with realtors, friends or family who are purchasing their first home. If you are a seasoned home owner yourself, it wouldn’t hurt to just double check to make sure you are doing everything possible to prevent a break-in or home invasion.

Here is our ultimate ‘Security Check List for the First Time Homeowner‘

✓ Always change the locks before you move in! Get several spare keys made and keep track of who has one.

✓ When hiding an extra key outside, do NOT hide your key under the front door mat or plant! You shouldn’t be hiding any key outside, however we know you will. When you do, be more creative!*

✓ Consider getting a security system. This is a huge deterrent to burglars. When you do get a security system and time comes to set it up, create a pin code that is NOT your birthday, your home address or your zip code!

✓ As you move in and get settled in your new home, go and meet your neighbors. Introduce yourself; knowing your neighbors and their habits is a good way to stay safe.

✓ If you do meet your neighbors and get friendly and you each want to hide a key, *hide a key at your neighbors home. So your key goes in your neighbors’ yard and your neighbors’ key is in your yard. You’ve now outsmarted any burglar trying to get in with a key.

✓ Install outdoor lighting if there isn’t any. Sensor lights that detect movement are great!

✓ After any workman has come to do work in your home, always recheck all windows and doors, making sure they are still locked!

✓ Buy a few timers and put a light or two on timers to go on and off at night and in the morning. Even if you are away for the weekend, it will look as if someone is home.

✓ Again, if you are friendly with your neighbors, ask your neighbors to bring in mail, your newspaper and your trashcan if you are away. Leaving mail, trashcans and newspapers on your lawn indicate no one is home.

Prevent and Deter!

Do all the things listed in the Security Checklist and the ‘odds are in your favor’!

Preventing a home invasion or burglary is always preferred over dealing with the traumatic aftermath of one!