The purpose of my Los Angeles Real Estate blog is to discuss all aspects of homeownership and real estate. With Summer vacation and Spring break approaching, let's discuss preparing your home for vacation.

1)   Cancel the newspaper and hold the mail.  And don’t assume that just because you have arranged it, that it will be done.  As a backup ask one of your neighbors to make sure the newspaper and mail doesn’t stack up; don’t forget the junk mail at the front door.  Let your neighbor or neighbors know that if they see a moving van to call the police, you are out of town.

2)   Unplug electronics; lower the temperature on the water heater.  I had a client who would also turn off her main water valve… not a bad idea.

3)   Leave a car in the driveway and have a timer or two attached to different lights in your home.

4)   Don’t tell the facebook world that you are out of town. If you are out of town while your home is listed for sale, do not advertise the fact that you are on vacation to other Realtors or their clients.  Ask your Realtor to check up on your home.  When my home selling clients go on vacation, I often change the showing remarks to read: “CFLB” (call first lockbox)–“courtesy call only, message okay, no need for call back”.   Translation: “call and leave a message before showing, you don’t need a return confirmation call”. Only a select group of people need to know that your home is not occupied.  

5)   It’s also prudent to rent a safety deposit box for jewelry and other valuables.

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