Planning a Great Getaway? 4 Fun & Stress-Free Ways to Protect Your Home!

The holidays are just around the corner, which means it’s totally time for some well-deserved travel! Maybe you’re planning a week-long trip to visit family, or perhaps you're hoping for a longer, sunny escape to shake off the Ohio chill.

Either way, you absolutely deserve to relax and have fun!

We get it—there's one thing that can absolutely put a damper on your vacation: worrying about your house back home. At HSRE Group, we've been helping folks in the Columbus and Cincinnati markets since 2020, and we take pride in making your housing transitions (whether you're buying, selling, or just traveling!) as smooth and stress-free as humanly possible.

You really shouldn't have to sweat the small stuff while you're enjoying your time off. So, before you even think about packing the suitcase and hitting the road (or the sky!), let's dive into four simple, fun, and effective tricks to keep your place secure for a week or more.

1. Get Your Home to Play 'Pretend' with Smart Lights!

The Friendly Trick: Don't let your house sit completely dark! That's a total giveaway that nobody's around. Instead of leaving just one light burning $24/7$ (which looks suspicious and runs up your utility bill!), let's use some cool tech.

The Action Plan: Grab some smart plugs or light timers and set them to mimic how you actually live. Have the living room lamp pop on right around sunset, and the kitchen light switch off closer to $10$ p.m. It's an easy way to give your house its own realistic, fun little performance every night!

2. Recruit Your Mailbox's Secret Agent (a.k.a. A Trusted Friend!)

The Friendly Trick: A pile of mail or a stack of newspapers on the porch is a giant flashing sign that says, "We're on vacation!" You don’t want to hand out that kind of free information.

The Action Plan: Either contact the USPS to put a temporary hold on your mail, or better yet, enlist a trusted neighbor or friend to check in every couple of days. They can grab your mail, newspapers, and any packages. Bonus points if you ask them to occasionally park a car in your driveway or move the trash cans. A little "lived-in" activity goes a long way! Just remember to thank your secret agent when you get back!

3. Lock Down Your Social Media Excitement (Until You Get Back!)

The Friendly Trick: We know you’re excited to share that amazing photo of your family on the beach or the delicious meal you’re having on your first night out! But posting real-time updates and geotags lets the wrong people know your house in Ohio is completely empty.

The Action Plan: Think of your social media posts as a super-fun trip recap! Hold off on sharing the highlights until you’re safely back home. You'll still get all the likes and comments, and your home will be much safer for it. Your safety is more important than an immediate "like." Enjoy the moment, and post the memories later!

4. The "No More Hiding Keys" Fun Challenge!

The Friendly Trick: That charming fake rock or flowerpot where you usually hide a spare key? Burglars know all those "secret" spots! It's one of the first places they check. Let’s make it a fun challenge to remove all those exterior hide-a-keys.

The Action Plan: If you absolutely need to give someone access (like your mail-collecting friend!), give the key directly to that trusted person. For a modern upgrade, consider installing a smart lock that lets you give temporary access codes you can delete the moment you get back home. No physical keys, no worries!

Enjoy your travels! By taking these four simple, fun steps, you can jet off knowing your house is secure. When you come home to the Columbus or Cincinnati area, you’ll be refreshed and ready for whatever comes next.

Need more helpful tips on home maintenance, safety, or just curious about what's happening in your local housing market? That’s what we’re here for! The HSRE Group is always ready to share knowledge and help you love your homeownership journey! Have a great trip!