Garage Door Security Tips To Prevent A Break In Or Theft

October 14, 2015

You have checked all the windows to make sure they are closed and locked, doubled-checked the doors, let the neighbors know you are out of town, informed the mail so it does not pile up out front, and activated all the passive security systems in your home. However, one area is often overlooked as you pull out of your garage and leave; the garage you just left.

The modern-day garage is a favorite place for thieves to gain access to your home.

There are three main types of garages that your home may have and each one requires its own safety measure. The first two are attached garages, and they can be divided into two categories: 1) the front of the house garage that faces the street and 2) the rear garage, which is out of view from the street.

The third type of garage is the detached garage. It is particularly dangerous if it is not secured properly because it allows a staging ground for thieves to enter the premises.

Here are a few pieces of advice that will help protect your home:

Use Your Garage. Park your car inside the garage when it is not being used or if you are leaving by other means. Many people leave their garage door opener in their car and all it takes is something like a broken window in your car, which can give a thief access to your home. To combat this, you can also make sure to remove the remote if you leave your car outside of the garage.

Disable the Electric Motor. If you are leaving for an extended period of time, detach your electric garage door opener. This is usually a very simple thing to do. Most electric garage door openers have a rope or chain you pull down to disconnect the electric motor from the chain that operates the door. This protects you in two ways. First, if a thief used a frequency scanning device to obtain your code, it will be of no use since it is not operable. Second, it would require a thief to physically go to the door, which the neighbors could see.

Bolt It. Use a manual sliding bolt-style lock on the inside of your garage door that can only be opened from the inside.

Keep It In Good Condition. Make sure the garage door is properly functioning and that there is no damage to the panels which a thief can use to get in.

Keep It Contained.– Do not leave important items in the garage and make sure to lock the door into your home. If thieves do break into the garage, you want to make sure that is all they can access. Place a deadbolt and anti-kick device on the door which leads to the garage from the home on a connected garage.

For the detached garage make sure you follow the same principles as if it was connected to your home. If the garage is out of view it is even more important. Most importantly, do not keep valuables in your garage.

 

Kristen Haynes, Broker In Charge, GC, CMRS 

Platinum, Multi Million Dollar Producer, Selling Carolinas Real Estate since 1992 

Direct: 704-905-4062    Toll-Free: 1-877-372-2252

Email: khaynes@newhomesnc-.com    Web: www.NewHomesNC-SC.com

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 Copyright 2015 New Home Buyers Brokers / Realty Pros

       

Should We Get A Loan Pre-Approval Or A Loan Pre-Qualification?

July 24, 2015
Copyright 2015 New Home Buyers Brokers / Realty Pros

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A LOAN PRE-APPROVAL AND A LOAN PRE-QUALIFICATION?

There is a big difference between obtaining a full “loan pre-approval” or having a quick “loan pre-qualification” letter from your lender.

1. Your pre-approval letter is far more reliable than a pre-qualification letter. Receiving a basic loan pre-qualification letter is easy. You simply provide basic financial information to a lender and wait a few minutes for the letter to be sent back to you. Obtaining a “pre-qual” from a random mortgage website is just as easy- just enter some information, click “submit” and voilà you are pre-qualified.

A pre-approval letter, on the other hand, involves verification of the information. Rather than taking your word on faith, the lender will ask for documentation to confirm your employment, the source of your down payment, and other aspects of your financial circumstances. Granted, a pre-approval is more time-consuming than a pre-qualification, but the additional due diligence is exactly why the pre-approval carries more weight with sellers when submitting an offer.

Think of the difference between and IOU note and an actual check. With the first, a seller hopes that they can count on your offer to be valid and with the second, they know that your offer is backed by the word of your lender. When the home you want is on the line, you don’t want to take chances against other, stronger offers.

2. You know how much money you can borrow. You likely have a rough idea of how much you would feel comfortable paying each month for your home mortgage. However, there’s no effective way to translate that monthly payment into a specific maximum mortgage amount because other factors such as down payment percentage, mortgage insurance, property taxes, adjustable interest rates and so on may not be part of your original calculation. Being pre-approved takes the guesswork out of how much you hope to borrow depending on your income, debts and credit history.

3. You will have more leverage when negotiating with the seller! Sellers prefer to negotiate with pre-approved buyers because they know you are financially qualified to obtain the loan needed to close on their home. You will feel more confident about making your offer with a pre-approval letter and that can make all the difference in negotiating the price and extras! A pre-approval letter is an especially favorable point in a multiple offer situation.

4. Your real estate agent will consider you a serious buyer and will be prepared to go to contract immediately when you find the right home. A pre-approval letter signals to your real estate agent that you’re a well-qualified buyer who is serious about purchasing a home and that they need to be prepared to write up an offer at any time. The increased likelihood of a closed sale, and not just months and months of “hauling and hoping” will naturally motivate your agent to devote more time and energy to you, rather than to less serious, qualified buyers.

5. A pre-approval doesn’t take more of your time, but changes the order in which you send in your paperwork. Obtaining pre-approval is simply starting the paperwork earlier – it’s not extra paperwork. It also alleviates stress after you make an offer. In order to buy your home, you will have to collect all your financial documents for your loan officer. Whether you do that before you find a house, or wait until the pressure is on once you are under contract is up to you.

Here are some additional tips on things to avoid during the home buying process to assure your transaction goes as smoothly as possible:
• Don’t apply for new credit of any kind
• Don’t close credit card accounts
• Don’t max out or over charge existing cards
• Don’t consolidate debt
• Don’t change or quit job
• Don’t make any large deposits into accounts
• Don’t make any large purchases
• DO stay current on existing accounts

Our Agents here at New Home Buyers Brokers / Realty Pros have been selling Carolinas Real Estate since 1992. We have the experience and know-how to educate you on all things necessary for you to find, build, mortgage and buy the home of your dreams. We’ll explain the process and will be there to guide you every step of the way.

Call or contact us today to get any questions answered about the mortgage loan or home buying process!

  Kristen Haynes, Broker In Charge, GC, CMRS 

Realtor / Broker NC / SC since 1992  Platinum, Multi Million Dollar Producer

Direct: 704-905-4062  *  Toll-Free: 1-877-372-2252

Email: khaynes@newhomesnc-.com  *  Web: www.NewHomesNC-SC.com

START YOUR HOME SEARCH, TODAY!

Are you shopping for a new home online? I’d like to introduce you to the Home Buyers Scouting Report® (HBSR) provided by Home Buyers Marketing II, Inc. With the HBSR you can search for all the available homes for sale in this market that match your personal search criteria.Click on the link, below, to start your search or contact me for more information.

Please call us or use the contact form, below, for additional information or with questions on the home buying or mortgage pre-qualification or pre-approval process:

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