If you’ve got a long-awaited vacation on the horizon, your to-do list probably involves catching up on any work projects, setting out-of-office messages on your email, double-checking all your travel arrangements, and of course, packing-but what about taking care of your home while you’re away?

Unless you’ve got a house sitter, your home will be sitting empty while you’re out enjoying yourself. So how do you make sure that you’re keeping it safe and sound, so you don’t have to give it a second thought until you return home? Here are a few tips.

Get a home security system and/or camera

Home security systems have never been more affordable or easy to use, so it’s definitely worth it to purchase one before you go. You can always shop locally or look at online stores (like Deep Sentinel) to find the best deals. Keep in mind that these products are not intended for temporary usage, therefore, seek out equipment that can sustain for a longer period of time.

With the help of a smart home security system, all the cameras and locks in your house can be monitored and accessed through an app on your phone (continue reading this here). If someone trespasses, or your locks are compromised in any way, you’ll know instantly, and you can reset them or disarm the alarm as needed, wherever you may be in the world.

Let a neighbor know you’ll be out of town

Part of finding the best neighborhood for you when you’re house shopping is finding great neighbors. Living around people you know and trust makes everything easier-including going on vacation.

Before you leave, let a trusted neighbor know where you’ll be and for how long. If they’re aware of your plans, they’ll be more likely to notice anything strange-a car parked on the road outside your home, a window left open, etc.-and let you know right away. You may want to consider leaving a key with them as well.

Don’t forget your outdoor spaces

In 2020, plenty of homeowners decided to ramp up their outdoor space game, building outdoor kitchens, adding fancy grills, even putting in in-ground pools, according to the Top Agent Insights report from HomeLight.

While you may not have thought of keeping an eye on your outdoor space as much as the inside of your home if you’ve gone to the trouble of building a beautiful outdoor oasis, you’ll want to take some precautions to protect it.

Installing an entrance gate system and a security camera might be one good way to do so. You can also put up motion-sensitive lights outdoors-not only will these help protect your outdoor space, but they’ll also deter theft and trespassing.

Don’t advertise your absence on social media

Social media has made burglars’ jobs easier than ever, with so many happy vacationers eagerly posting pictures of themselves having fun-away from home.

Resist the urge to post those pictures until you return! By keeping a low profile, you’ll make it less easy for people with ill intent to know where you are and when you’ll return.

If you’re going to sell soon, consider asking someone to stay at your home

If you’re considering selling your home in the next few months-and with home value estimators turning out such great numbers in this hot real estate market, who isn’t?-you may want to ask a friend, family member, or professional house sitter to watch your home while you’re gone.

Selling a home is hard enough without having to deal with the logistical, emotional, and psychological impacts of a break-in or disaster like flood or fire. Having someone there will give you peace of mind and help ensure that your home is still in great shape once it’s time to list.

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