Second homes used rarely or left vacant in the winter make a prime target for Mother Nature and thieves. Unoccupied residences with easy, visible access, cover for hiding and a good escape route create a vulnerable property, said Paula Jackson, a Re/Max Realtor who specializes in lake properties near Alexandria, Minn. The good news is that owners can reduce the likelihood of break-ins. Jackson and Kim Stark, a longtime cabin owner and Realtor, offered these tips:
• If you're considering a second home and expect it to be vacant for weeks or months, choose an area with full-time residents who can watch over it. If that's not an option, you may need to consider a security system.
• Get to know your neighbors. You can enlist their help in keeping an eye on your house. Ask them to report any suspicious activity. Have them park a vehicle in front of your home occasionally. Reward them for their effort.
• Hire a property services manager if a friend or neighbor isn't a possibility. Prices depend on the number of visits (one to 12 per month), the size of the property and scope of duties. Basic fees can range from $30 a month to $100 a month, said Vern Jackson, who owns Lakeside Property Services in Alexandria, Minn. Shoveling snow, checking on a roof leak or making repairs are extra. To find a property manager, ask a real estate agent for referrals.
• Call the local sheriff's office and ask them to check on your property occasionally.
• Use a timer for lights. Change the on/off times to avoid predictability.
• Check out security alarms that protect not only windows and doors but also moisture and the thermostat. Most are set up to call you when there is a problem. A basic system runs about $1,000. More sophisticated options can run $3,000 or more, plus an annual fee. Look in yellow page directories under "Security Systems."
• Check with a heating and air conditioning contractor about a monitoring device in case of furnace malfunction, even if you don't need a security alarm.
