David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Your yard can be much more dangerous at night than it is during daylight hours. Objects you can’t see, ice on the ground, animals and trespassers are sources of concern for all homeowners. Installing motion-activated outdoor lights is a simple way to protect yourself and others from these hazards. How Do Motion-Activated Lights Work? Motion detectors detect infrared waves, or heat waves, from moving objects, such as people, animals and vehicles. When a warm object passes its field of view, a motion detector causes a light to turn on. It stays on for an amount of time set by the homeowner, then turns off if the detector no longer senses motion. The field of view and distance range vary depending on the model of motion detector and the settings the homeowner chooses. Reasons to Install Outdoor Lights Motion-activated outdoor lights can help you avoid accidents and injuries at night. For example, if you need to walk up steps to enter your ho...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Having a spare house key hidden on your property can come in handy, especially if you need a house or pet sitter while you’re on vacation or, of course, if you lose your main set of keys. However, leaving a key in an obvious spot can make it easy for potential burglars to find it and walk right in through your front door. If you decide to leave a spare key, you’ll need to be clever and avoid the most common hiding spots burglars are likely to check. According to home security specialist ADT, these are the best and worst places to put a spare: Best Hiding Spots In a hollow, realistic-looking false rock that blends in with its surroundings. In a small lockbox under the porch. In the barbeque grill in the backyard. Under the foot of a chair on the patio. Under a loose brick in the walkway. Inside or under a children's toy in the front yard. Worst Hiding Spots Under your doormat. Under a potted plant by the door. Under a garden statue. On the d...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Buying and moving into a new home is exciting, but it also requires a lot of attention to detail, from closing the deal to figuring out the logistics of getting all your belongings from point A to point B. Amid all the excitement, planning and unpacking, many new homeowners overlook one essential factor: the security of their new house. If you’re moving, consider these six tips from the home security experts at ADT to help keep your family and your property safe and secure: Change the Locks.  You never know who lived in your property before you moved in. Do yourself a favor and change the locks regardless of the situation. Transfer or Invest in a Security System.  There’s no better way to ensure your home is secure 24/7 than installing a home security system. Burglar-proof your house by adding video surveillance and motion sensors for complete security. If there’s already a security system in the house, have it properly looked over and...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com With your house on the market, naturally this means that numerous strangers will be walking through the rooms of your house, opening closets, looking in cabinets and seeing all the home has to offer. And while an agent is present for a showing or open house, sometimes house hunters can enter a room unaccompanied, and this is why anyone selling a home should keep their valuables locked up or out of the house completely. After all, you never know who is coming to your home and what their true motives are. Never leave jewelry or money out on your dressers and put away any collectible that could catch an unwanted eye. Sure, it might make the room look appealing if it’s full of autographed sports memorabilia, but the last thing you want is for that special memento to disappear. Think outside of actual value as well. If your kid has a special toy, take it with you when there’s a house showing going on, as some other child could start...

6 Things Professional Burglars Don’t Want You to Know : Even though a burglary occurs every 20 seconds in the U.S., you can still protect yourself without installing top-dollar security features.

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Installing a home security system is an important step to protecting your home and family. But with technology on the rise, there is an overwhelming number of systems and services to choose from. Here are some things to consider when choosing the right security system for your home: Systems & Services For many years, home security was either a guard dog, locked windows and doors, or both. Today, something as simple as your doorbell can be a camera that you can view from anywhere in the world. Companies like ADP and Vivint offer a range of professional packages, including indoor, outdoor and doorbell security, as well as smoke detectors and smart home capabilities. Systems like Ring and Nest can be purchased online and shipped directly to your door. These systems also offer indoor, outdoor and doorbell security, smart home technology, and can be easily installed or moved to a new home by you, with no appointments nece...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Leaving home for the holidays can be the highlight of the year, whether you're off to grandmother's house with the family, or headed to that annual tropical getaway. However, homes left vacant during the holidays can be a prime target for theft, or vulnerable to severe weather damage. To help, Erie insurance offers the following top-of-mind tips before you pack your bags and hit the road or runway.  Share your itinerary . Let a few trusted people know where you are going and when. They will more than likely text you if they need to reach you, but you should still share the rundown of your travel plans, including departure and arrival dates, flight numbers and times, and a contact number where you'll be staying. After all, a backup is always good in case something happens to your phone (or your ability to charge it). Take care of deliveries . Don't forget to have something done about your mail. If a neighbor can c...

David Deem  714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com By John Voket Smart home lovers likely rejoice at the continued flood of smart house accessories on the market, one of which are video security doorbells. According to the experts at Alarm New England, installing a doorbell camera can help secure your home and eliminate risks associated with opening the door for strangers, and law enforcement agencies across the nation are generally in support of the devices as a tool for reducing crime. The site SafeHome.org offers these additional points to review before you buy: Resolution Most doorbell cameras max out at 1080p resolution, and the higher the resolution, the sharper the image, generally speaking.  Night Vision Night vision capabilities will allow you to clearly see who is at your door even when it's dark out, giving you security 24/7. Field of View If the video doorbell you are considering says it offers 180 degrees, it means the camera can s...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com By Meghan Belnap As a landlord, you have certain responsibilities. One of the most important is to provide for your tenants' safety. Not only do you have certain legal obligations, but safe tenants are more likely to be long-term paying tenants. In the pursuit of safety, you may want to upgrade your properties with the following four items: External Security Cameras While installing internal security cameras can be invasive and problematic, installing external cameras is a great way to keep your tenants safe. Give your tenants access to the feed so they can see what's going on outside their rental unit and identify problems without having to open doors. These cameras are also great for collecting evidence if your property is robbed or if someone tries to get into the building. Security Doors Security doors are a simple way to keep intruders out of a property, but they're still very effective. Heavier and harder ...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com By John Voket Smart home lovers likely rejoice at the continued flood of "smart house" accessories on the market, one of which are video security doorbells. According to the experts at Alarm New England, installing a doorbell camera can help secure your home and eliminate risks associated with opening the door for strangers, and law enforcement agencies across the nation are generally in support of the devices as a tool for reducing crime. The site safehome.org offers these additional points to review before you buy: Resolution. Most doorbell cameras max out at 1080p resolution, and the higher the resolution, the sharper the image, generally speaking. Night Vision. Night vision capabilities will allow you to clearly see who is at your door even when it's dark out, giving you security 24/7. Field of View. If the video doorbell you are considering says it offers 180°, it means the camera can see everything in fr...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Do you hear things that go bump in the night? See lights that flicker on and off? If you’re worried that your home might be haunted, there’s probably a far less exciting explanation. Consumer Reports (CR) unravels the mysteries of unexplained “phenomenon” around the house. The unexplained draft. Feel a shiver up your back? If you have unusual cold spots or drafts in your home, they’re most likely caused by air leaks or inadequate insulation. Professional energy auditors can use infrared instruments to identify such cold spots, or CR recommends simply using an incense stick. If smoke from the stick blows sideways when you hold it up to windows, doors and walls, air is seeping in and out from those areas. Caulk and weatherstripping around doors can help eliminate drafts, or insulation for larger gaps should eliminate the cold spot. Appliances that turn on and off. Unfortunately, CR has documented many instances of appliances turn...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Even though a burglary occurs every 20 seconds in the U.S., you can still protect yourself without installing top-dollar security features. Home burglary generally has a pattern; criminals are looking for an easy target they can rob fast. Learn from the pros. Here are six tips from career burglars you can use to defend your home and prevent break-ins. 1. Nighttime Burglaries Aren’t the Best Time Burglars like to break in to homes during daytime hours—the last thing criminals want is to encounter someone at home. Weekdays are ideal for thieves, since weekend schedules are too unpredictable. Between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. are the most popular times because there’s a high chance people will be away at work or school. 2. They Know When You’re Not Home—Thanks to Social Media While it’s tempting to post about your vacation to your social media feed, wait to share those trip photos and exotic location check-ins until you’re back home. Criminals scout ...

714-997-3486 While you may have taken all the steps necessary to choose the perfect home, unfortunately, you can’t choose who lives next door. Whether they’re too loud, too messy or too nosy, there are tactful ways to handle less-than-ideal neighbors. Try the suggestions for coexisting peacefully and enjoying your new home: Start with courtesy. Be sure to start out on the right foot by being courteous and kind. Even if the neighbors don’t seem to be “your cup of tea,” do your best to get to know them and open up lines of communication. Doing so will allow you to be candid about serious matters if and when the need arises. If you haven’t established a friendly relationship from the outset, if a problem arises, things could get contentious fast. Politely establish ground rules . If your neighbors are the type who like to pop in unexpectedly--and often--don’t be shy about politely setting some ground rules...and explain why. Let them know you need downtime after work to catch up...

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