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Attention Burglers: Look at All the New Toys We Got for Christmas!

By
Real Estate Agent with RVA HomePRO Realtor with Keller Williams serving Hanover, Henrico, Chesterfiled and Richmond, Virginia 0225205023

Don't trash your TV BoxChristmas has come and gone. Now you might be using the time between Christmas and New Year's Day to clean like my family is doing. Part of this cleaning likely involves getting rid of Christmas wrapping and boxes your gifts came in. I'll bet you never thought you might be setting out a billboard for unscrupulous people who happen to go by your home. Yes, some people do their best shopping after Christmas, but they are not our frineds, they are people who look at what other's have and think they need it more than you do. 

Here's Your Sign
The box from your new TV, game system, or other valuable item can be a nice advertisement for someone to come by your home in the near future and do some shopping of their own, without cash or you home. Having been a vicitm of a bugulary twice it's a very unsettling feeling. One day you come home to find some things out of place, maybe a lot of things out of place. The first time it happened I came home to see the mail from our desk on the ground. I knew my roommate was headed out of town, but it was uncharistic that he leave such a mess. As I looked around the house I noticed several things missing. I called the police, but they never found the missing items.

Smarter Choices
Instead of putting the box out to trash intact consider cutting it up into smaller pieces or at a minimum cut the box down one of the sides and fold the lable to the inside so it's not easily identified. The better thing is to get rid of your box either at your local dump or you might be able to drop it off at a local store's recycling dumpster. Taking some simple steps will keep curious people away and likely help you enjoy your toys longer. I don't want you to have the same experience I did (twice); I still get chills thinking of someone rooting through my home.

 

Posted by
RVA Home Pro
Michael Hottman As a Licensed Real Estate Agent in Virginia and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia I strive to help others achieve their goals in life, whether it's selling or buying a property or becoming the person they were meant to be.


My background includes a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech and a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), managing residential properties, graphic design, corporate information technology, and being a third generation Realtor®. My experience in real estate started when I was old enough to help my dad clean out rental properties and I have started taking my son on showing appointments already.

My goal is to always provide my clients with 5 STAR service from the time I meet them to far beyond the close of their initial transaction, making them clients for all the real estate transactions they may ever have.

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Keller Williams
6600 W. Broad Street
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Michael@Hottman.com

While the information in this blog post is thought to be accurate and reliable on the date it is posted, it is provided on an “as is” basis and without warranty of any kind, either express or implied and is given for educational and informational purposes only. The contents of this article should not be considered as theraputic, legal, accounting, or other advice. For a comprehensive consultation regaring your personal situation please consult a competent professional in the appropriate field.

 

Found in Real Estate Blogs Directory - a directory of real estate blogs and
blogs of industries affiliated with and serving the real estate industry.

 

 

Julie Tulowitzki - (480) 369-8188
HomeSmart - Gilbert, AZ
Your Friend in the Arizona Real Estate Business

Very good advice, Michael. Thanks for the wise words regarding post-holiday home security.

Dec 29, 2014 10:59 AM
RVA HomePRO Michael Hottman
RVA HomePRO Realtor with Keller Williams serving Hanover, Henrico, Chesterfiled and Richmond, Virginia - Glen Allen, VA
Helping you achieve goals in life & real estate

Julie Tulowitzki it's not something people think about when they take the trash out. These days we often have to be a bit more careful.

Dec 29, 2014 11:05 AM
Tanya Van Blake-Coleman
Van Blake-Coleman Realty, St. Thomas/www.talk-to-Tanya.com - St Thomas, VI
Improving the Quality of Your Life

Great post Michael. I actually have thought of this. Nothing says come and get me like the fresh bug screen TV box you have in your picture. Not only will people passing by notice but neighbors who may or may not be on the up and up who also happen to know your tendencies for when you may be away from your home. Good luck!

Dec 29, 2014 11:54 AM
RVA HomePRO Michael Hottman
RVA HomePRO Realtor with Keller Williams serving Hanover, Henrico, Chesterfiled and Richmond, Virginia - Glen Allen, VA
Helping you achieve goals in life & real estate

Tanya Van Blake-Coleman since I have the luxery of living in the country I have to take all my trash to the local transfer station, but when I lived in town this was a real issue. Walking my dog in our former neighborhood I couldn't believe the trash I saw people put out - large screen tv boxes, new appliances, and other assundries I would not want to advertise in my home.

Dec 29, 2014 12:19 PM