So, you’ve finally made up your mind to purchase a home, you have raised the deposit and now it’s time to find your dream house.
But how do you go about making one of the biggest purchases in your life? How will you know that you’ve made the right choice and how will you keep your investment safe? Th security and safety of your investment is a top priority. Of course, there is always some risk involved when purchasing a house, but there are certain measures you can take to lower the risk.
Looking for a New House
When searching for your new home, you have to think about the location you want to reside in. Also, you have to consider things like local transport links, local amenities, schools, hospitals and most importantly the safety of the area you will be moving to. Is the area safe? What’s the overall crime rate in the area? Is it home to criminal gangs? Is there a safe road to access the area?
Look for specific crime statistics for the area. You can find this information on the local police website. This info will shed some light on the general safety and crime rate in the area.
You can visit the area during the day to ascertain that everything is okay and no unsavoury people are roaming around. You can also visit the area at night to get to know what happens in that specific area after dark. Be on the lookout for anti-social behaviour and evaluate the condition of street lights to determine whether the area is safe at night.
- If possible, talk to a few neighbours and ask about the overall safety and security of the area. Ask if any crimes have been reported recently in the area.
- When searching for a potential home, pay close attention to the condition of the windows and doors. These things can be replaced, but it is recommended to buy a home that already has solid windows and doors for maximum security.
- If the home has a gravel driveway, you should feel confident that you already have one security measure in place. A gravel driveway alerts you when anyone enters your property and can effectively deter intruders and burglars.
- Are roof lanterns a good idea? Roof lanterns look great and let a lot of light in, however, blinds are recommended as it is easy for burglars to climb on top of your conservatories and peak in.
The Day of the Move
So, the day to move into your new home has finally arrived. All your belongings are safely packed in boxes waiting to move into your new home. It’s going to be a busy day and it’s very easy to make assumptions when it comes to security. We have listed down a few points that should help you remember some of the security measures to take on the actual day of the move.
The first and most vital task you need to perform on the moving day is to contact a professional locksmith. Why you ask? Well, for starters, you don’t know how many key copies of the existing locks are out there, so it’s crucial to have them changed. Also, most home insurance policies demand that new owners change the home’s locks before moving in. The next task you need to perform is to check the condition of the shed of garage lock. If you are going to store any valuable items in there, then you need to install new locks for added security.
- If you know the previous owners of the home, it is important that you get any security or alarm system information such as passwords, and manufacturer, installation and servicing details. Also, be sure to change the security passwords or codes immediately.
- Always keep a close eye on your belongings when moving. Ensure your belongings are moved directly into the house and never leave anything lying on the pavement or garden outside the house or even on the street.
- Don’t attract too much attention. You don’t want to make it too obvious that you’ve just moved in. Hang curtain or blinds immediately you settle in and try not to let your new neighbours catch a glimpse of the items you own.
Remember, getting the locks changed before you move into your new home is the number one security measure you need to take in order to safeguard your property and belongings. Surprisingly, most homeowners (up to 74%) forget to change the locks of their new homes.
