Our real estate agents know buying a home is a big job, especially when it's your first time. Once you own your home, you want it to be safe, secure, and protected. With warm weather and vacation season beckoning many of our current and former clients, we strive to help you keep your home safe.

Klamath Falls homes for sale are some of the nicest in the whole state, so you must be sure you give them the proper protection whenever you go on vacation. While Klamath Falls is known for its low crime and friendly, close-knit community, it still pays to take appropriate precautions during a long absence.

Let's check up with some of the best ways to secure and maintain a home while you're away:

• Hold Your Mail or Find Someone to Take It In
  When mail or newspapers pile up, it's the surest sign that the homeowners are away on holiday. If you plan to be away longer than a week, contact your local post office to put a hold on your mail. Alternatively, you could ask a trusted neighbor to take in your mail so you won't have to pick it up at the post office later.
  
  
• Put Your Lights on a Timer
  With at least one light on a timer, you can make it look like someone is home for the whole duration of a trip. This is effective even if there is no car in the driveway. Modern programmable timers allow you to get more from this idea because you can randomize the times lights go off and on.
  
  
• Optimize Your HVAC System Settings
  When you're going away for a while, setting your air conditioning and heater settings in advance is helpful. Do not turn off your systems since it can take days to reach the desired temperature when you next turn them on. Instead, choose a temperature about 10 degrees below the outside temperature to reduce usage.
  
  
• Turn Off the Water
  Unnoticed leaks while you're away can be a huge waste of water and money. If you'll be out for over a week, consider turning off your main water supply. If you'd prefer not to turn off the main, a quick visit to the valves for your washer, dishwasher, ice maker, and toilets will prevent most potential leaks.
  
  
• Lock Windows and Doors
  All windows and doors should be locked while you're away; it's easy to overlook the back door and any windows that aren't often opened. Closing all your blinds tight may give away that you're not there. Take a more moderate approach with partially closed shades that block out the view for any potential troublemakers.
  
  
• Pay Your Bills
  While most utility companies won't interrupt your service until you are more than a month late, some may report late payments to credit monitoring bureaus. That can cost you down the line because of a reduced credit score. Avoid complications by paying bills up to the week you return.
  
  
• Empty the Trash
  Empty the trash into outside receptacles before you go so you won't have to deal with an odor or pests in the future. If the dates of your trip allow you, be sure you get your trash out the week you plan to leave. If you won't be around for trash day, think about asking a neighbor if they can take your bin out and in.

Contact us to find out more, or get started today.