Safety Tips to Consider with Winter Home Security

Winter is right around the corner and with that comes increased home break-ins. With many of us traveling to be with family, it’s important to make sure your home is protected. We’ll dive into safety tips that you should consider with winter home security.

Winter Home Security Tips

Being pro-active is the best way to keep your home safe this Holiday season! Below are a few tips that we recommend when it comes to winter home security. Following all or some of them will reduce your risk of becoming a burglary victim.

Safety Tips- Invest in a Security System

The number one way to deter criminals from breaking into your house is with a home security system. Houses will often be scouted for days in advance to find the opportune time to attack. Winter home security has always been an issue around the holidays. CNN reported, “In California, for example, there were 21,900 burglaries in December 2011 – the latest statistics available – 18% more than the average month.” When thieves see cameras, security signs, and other items showing there’s a security system at the house they will immediately look for an easier more vulnerable house to hit. With a home security system in place, you’ll be able to enjoy your holiday vacation knowing your possessions are protected!

MovePad.com offers a variety of providers and plans online. Allowing you to choose the plan that works best for you and your home. Simply pick the plan you’d like set up along with an installation date, and checkout. It’s that easy! Working with some of the biggest national providers in the security industry allows you to get the best pricing that’s available. Visit utilityhound.com or call 888.959.0116 to speak with a representative about protecting your home.

Security Tips- Shovel the Driveway and Walkway

If you live in a snowy area this is one of the biggest giveaways that you’re out of town. Keeping your driveway and walkway shoveled let’s people know that someone is likely home. Would be thieves will take this into consideration when scouting houses on your street to break into. As they want to target houses that look un-kept and or uninhabited.

Security Tips- Locks Doors and Windows

Come, Winter, you shouldn’t be opening those windows as you did in the Fall. As common sense as this sounds…make sure all of your doors and windows are locked if you go out of town. The first things burglars are going to check for are unlocked doors and windows on the first floor. They’re looking for the easiest way into the home. They would much rather walk in through the doorway or slide a window open rather than having to break into one.

Security Tips- Put Your Lights On a Timer

Putting your lights on a timer not only saves you money on your electric bill but it also tricks burglars into thinking someone is home. Having routine lights that go on and off give the appearance that someone is home. Keeping your front porch light on, in addition to your indoor timed lights is also recommended. Keeping lights on also increases the chance for someone to witness an intruder attempting to breaking in.

Safety Tips- Purchase a Safe

Making things as hard as possible for potential thieves is key. If they break into your house they’re going to target master bathrooms, offices, and closets looking for high dollar items. It’s important that you store and personal documents, expensive jewelry and money in a high quality locked safe. It’s also preferred that the safe is grounded so that it’s not easily moveable. Check with an insurance provider as some even offer discounts for homeowners with safes!

Safety Tips- Spare Keys and How to Use Them

When it comes to winter home security tips one of the best recommendations is to not leave a spare key outside. We discussed earlier how you should be locking all your doors and windows. Well…leaving a spare key outside that door of yours isn’t going to help much when it comes to protecting your home. We advise that you leave a spare key with a handful of trusted neighbors. This way in case of emergency a trusted friend can still get inside your home if need be.

Safety Tips- Keep Holiday Lights On

Tis the season! You’ve spent a couple hours getting those holiday lights set up, so don’t be afraid to show them off. It’s recommended that you keep your holiday lights on every night to make it look like activity is going on at the home. Now you don’t have to keep them on all night long. However, we do recommend putting them on a timer that will keep them on till at least till 11 pm or 1 am each night.

Safety Tips- Don’t Leave Packages on The Front Porch

Earlier we discussed making sure your snowy walkway stays plowed. By collecting packages and not letting them sit for days it gives the appearance someone is home. When thieves see the same package sitting in front of your door for days it’s a dead giveaway no one is home. Ask a neighbor if they wouldn’t mind picking up any packages and newspapers until you return from your trip.

Safety Tips- Keep Your Curtains Closed

Keeping your curtains closed is a great winter home security tip. You don’t want to show off all of your nice electronics or other expensive items from the street. Keeping the curtains or blinds closed also prevents thieves from seeing the layout of your home. If they have an idea of how the inside of your home is laid out it makes for a quicker home invasion.

Winter Maintenance tips

We’ve discussed ways you can protect your home this Winter. However, we also want YOU to stay safe. We’ve compiled a couple maintenance tips that should be on your to-do checklist before every winter season.

Test Outdoor Security Equipment

Cold temperatures can really take a toll on your outdoor security equipment. Our first winter home security maintenance tip would be for you to make sure all outdoor motion sensors and camera are in working condition. It’s also important that throughout the winter season you continue to occasionally check these devices. Severe cold temperatures have been known to damage electronic equipment.

Keep Your Houses Pipes Warm

Do you have a sink that’s on an exterior wall? If so, it’s recommended that you keep the cabinet doors beneath it open when leaving on vacation. Leaving the cabinet doors open allows for the heat of the home to keep the pipes warm. You can also let a very small drip run from your faucet. Additionally, keeping outdoor hose covers over those knobs will also help to keep pipes warm. Following these steps is a great way to help prevent frozen and busted pipes this winter!

Have Your Chimney Cleaned

Everyone loves a warm fireplace in the winter. There’re very few things that are more enjoyable than relaxing around the fireplace in the evening. With that being said we want you to enjoy your fireplace and not allow it to be a fire hazard. Soot can and will build up if the chimney isn’t cleaned from the year before. A cleaning is relatively cheap and a reputable company can be located with a quick google search.

Keep Those Gutters Clean

This last maintenance tip is often overlooked. With leaves coming down in the Fall your gutters are likely filling up. It’s important to clean the gutters out before snowfall. Otherwise, the leaves will retain snow and really weigh your gutters down. Not only does this make it hard for melted snow to drain properly. It also can cause major injury if a heavy gutter falls down and lands on someone.

Moving while Expecting

Moving is hard work, time consuming, and exhausting for anyone.  Being pregnant during a move exaggerates these feelings and additional safety precautions need to be taken.

Tips to Ease the Pains of Moving during Pregnancy

Organize, Plan, and Prepare
  • Utilize a moving checklist: MOVING CHECKLIST
  • Start your search for a mover early.  Good movers book up fast and you want someone who will be efficient, reliable, insured, and have high customer satisfaction ratings: MOVER SEARCH
  • Start packing early.  Avoid over exerting yourself and pace your moving tasks.  Leave the heavy lifting to family, friends, and your movers.
  • Although not always possible, try to avoid a move date that is close to your due date.  The extra stress can bring on pre-term labor.
  • Move Day: Have a designated spot where you can sit to rest and ensure you stay fed and hydrated.

Moving during a Pandemic

Moving is stressful and doing so during a pandemic can add to the stress.  Here are some tips and advice to alleviate extra stress that can be caused while moving during a pandemic.

Interstate Moves

Can you move across state lines during the pandemic?

  • Most states consider moving activities to be essential, however it’s important to check with your moving company and local government offices regarding restrictions.
  • Check with the state you are moving from, to, and any state you will travel through.
Plan Ahead
  • Utilize a moving checklist to stay organized: MOVING CHECKLIST
  • Start your search for a mover early.  Good movers book up fast and you want someone who will be efficient, reliable, insured, and have high customer satisfaction ratings: MOVER SEARCH
  • Quarantine in the time leading up to the move to try and avoid being sick on move day
Backup Plan

In case you fall ill on moving day, ensure you have a backup plan in place.  This includes:

  • Designating another point of contact to be on-site during move day (i.e. healthy family or friend)
  • Have your move day plans and contacts saved so they can easily be shared should you not be available on moving day
  • Worst Case: Keep a backup move day on the calendar in case you need to postpone your move

Today’s Full Service Realtor

Realtor Criteria – Today’s Full-Service Realtor

When surveying clients we’ve found many people want more out of their real estate agent than standard transaction processing.  Client’s already expect someone who can guide them through the process of buying or selling a home.  They want more from their real estate professional and here’s what they told us:

Community Connections

Who does the agent know in the real estate business?  Will they be able to help a client find a trusted financing professional, someone in title to make a seamless closing process, and a relocation concierge that will simplify their home service connections?  A real estate transaction is a big deal and big cost for most people and having someone they trust recommend related services is important.

Expert Advice

A client wants someone who can provide relevant advice on the transaction that is specific to their market.  Does the home need to be staged to effectively sell for top dollar or is the market so hot that little extra effort is needed to get the price a client wants to sell at?  Is the neighborhood you’re moving to requiring buyers to go into bidding wars?  What can a client expect that they will need to do to complete a transaction according to their budget and needs.

Market Knowledge

Client’s want more than someone who knows the crime reports, school ratings, or values of the home. They want specific and personal knowledge about a location and neighborhood, more information than what they can find on Google. This includes knowing the community feel and vibe.  Does their new neighborhood have an active family community for young kids?  Are their other young professionals?  When selling the home, does an agent know how to effectively market to the correct audience?

Moving to a deregulated area and Using a Utility Concierge

Millions of Americans are moving each year across the United States. Many of them moving to or within a deregulated energy area. Shopping for services like electricity and natural gas can be confusing if you’re not using a home services concierge. Not only can they help you make a more educated decision when it comes to your utilities. They can also save you tons of time!

Home Utility Concierge Save Time

Moving to a new state or city can be scary if you’re unfamiliar with that areas utility and service providers. The average person moving can spend up to 4-5 hours researching and then calling into call centers to connect their services. Electricity and gas can be some of the trickiest markets too. With electricity companies coming up with clever plans it’s very important you know how to break down an electricity rate!

A home services concierge can make moving into your new home easier than ever. They will provide you with electricity and gas options at your new home that’s located in a deregulated area. If you have questions representatives will be able to give you unbiased opinions on what plans are best for you. A home services concierge such as MovePad will also let you know when your contract is about to expire. This is nice for two reasons. The first, you don’t ever have to worry about your rate expiring and being automatically placed on a more expensive month-to-month plan. Second, their platform will provide you with the best options at the time you’re looking to renew. This saves you time every year when you need to renew your electricity and gas plans!

Other Services They Help With

If you’re in the process of moving. MovePad can also help connect other services outside of electricity and gas. As a full-service home services concierge, they work with hundreds of movers around the U.S. Have partnerships with all the major internet, TV, and home security providers. In some areas, they may even be able to assist with Re-Key and Rental Insurance. For more information on ways to simplify your move visit www.MovePad.com

How Does the Process Work?

You’re probably thinking this sounds great! So, where or how can you utilize a home services concierge? MovePad provides all these services complimentary from their website www.MovePad.com. Simply visit their website and start connecting your home services. After you’re done selecting the services you need set up at your residence. After checking out, you’ll get an automated email with all the pertinent information in regards to your plans.

Does It Cost Money?

MovePad is a 100% complimentary service. Meaning you don’t pay a penny for using their home services concierge platform. The partnerships they have with all their providers allows them to get a one-time fee for the options you select. Making this a win-win for all parties. You the customer can utilize MovePad with their fully transparent platform. Pick the providers and plan(s) that are best for you. No more calling into multiple providers and their call centers, only to be upsold on products you don’t want or need.

Is ReloTech Disrupting The Moving Industry?

Moving, it’s something most of us dread doing, yet we do it so frequently. Most noteworthy 16.9 million people moved annually to a different county in 20141. That’s a lot of people and furthermore a lot of headaches that ReloTech can solve within the moving industry! Your moving journey probably started like many others. Your realtor showing you multiple houses a day. You’ve been involved in bidding wars and on the wrong end of most of them. However, you’ve just received approval and now you’re stuck in-between the expired option time and your move-in date. It’s time to start looking into movers and connecting your home services. Let’s take a look at how a relo tech concierge can help!

What is ReloTech?

Moving comes with a lot of tasks. Some of these daunting tasks include responsibilities like where do I hire movers and connect utilities or home services? Not only does it take up valuable time researching which providers are available in your area, but now comes the even further daunting task, connecting all these services and hours wasted talking to call center representatives.

With technology increasingly becoming involved in the Moving Industry, it was only a matter of time before someone created an online solution for people moving. As a result, ReloTech (relocation technology), came about in the last decade by bringing an efficient way to streamline the moving process, with this concept gaining tremendous traction in the last few years.

How does ReloTech improve the Moving Industry?

Most ReloTech companies offer a no-cost platform that takes out all the guesswork involved with your move. They even provide people that will be moving with a free moving checklist. Helping families across the country stay organized and on schedule leading up to their big move! Below are a few of the services a Relo Tech company can assist someone moving with:

Setting up Movers

With a large nationwide network of movers. Many ReloTech companies are able to allow citizens relocating to select, get a quote, and schedule a move all in one place. This makes things a lot easier when it comes to locating a licensed and insured mover. Why spend hours searching Yahoo or Yelp for movers…and then having to call them all individually to get separate quotes. Simply provide a Relocation Technology company the items you need moved and let them provide you with options. The moving industry has never been made easier! Schedule at the click of a button!

Connecting Electricity and Gas at Your Home

If you live in a deregulated energy market, MovePad allows you to instantly shop multiple companies. Their relocation technology (relo tech) platform uses a search algorithm (think of Google or Amazon). Their platform will allow a user to shop several companies and plans at their specific address. These plans are presented by contract length, energy charge, price per kWh. They will also provide the electricity facts label which explains how the plans work. From there, all you need to do is select the plan you want. MovePad will automatically set up the energy service for you!

Setting Up Your Internet, TV, and Satellite TV Services

Connecting and starting broadband services has never been easier. MovePad has partnerships with all the major Internet and TV carriers across the country. So, no matter where you’re moving, they’ve got you covered! Taking the time to determine what and who’s available at your new home can be tiresome for most new homeowners or tenants. However, MovePad relo tech platform instantly recognizes the available options and lays them out for you to select.

Home Security and Home Automation

Congratulations on the move into your new home! Now that you’re all settled in wouldn’t you like to protect one of your biggest investments…your house! MovePad, a relo tech leader, makes ordering a home security system very easy! You can simply request a package at the same time your getting your other home services connected. With several national brands to choose from MovePad can ensure you’re getting the best quality and deals that are available online!

MovePad a Free Relo Tech Concierge

Providing a complimentary service within the moving industry. MovePad will save you the headache of having to call multiple companies and wasting hours of your time. With MovePad platform you can easily connect your services in a matter of minutes, great news, right? Most of all, this will free up your time to focus on what really matters… your family, job, and hobbies. A true game-changer in the moving industry!

In conclusion, let a Relo Tech company handle and plan your move. While you sit back, relax and look like a Rockstar!

Moving? Simply fill out the form on our Contact Us page and we’ll take care of the rest!

Sources:

1 Government Census

How to Get the Best Utility Rates

Many people stay with their current utility providers, not knowing that there could be better rates. Unfortunately, they’re missing out on a huge opportunity to save a lot of money and even qualify for better services.

Our goal at MovePad is to educate everyone on their choices when it comes to utility providers. As a top utilities concierge, we partner with all the best utility suppliers throughout the United States. When people contact us needing water, power/gas/electricity, land line phone service, home security systems, and more, we go to work. We will consider your needs, your budget, and other factors, then call utility providers to get the best rate for you. You don’t have to waste time or money, and you’ll save yourself the headache. The best thing about it is that you don’t pay us for anything. Contact us now to learn more!

Here’s how to get the best utility rates for your home.

Shop Around

You might have gotten a good introductory rate when you signed up for your cable provider, but has it gone up since then? The answer is most likely yes. You might feel that you’re stuck with that high rate, but you have options. MovePad can look at better rates for you, even with your existing provider!

Check Them Out Online

One of the best ways to see if people are happy with their utility supplier is to read reviews online. Go to social media, Google the heck out of them, and ask family and friends. You’ll likely start to notice patterns, good and bad. If you know ahead of time what to look out for, you’ll know that you can negotiate a lower rate, or get them to take off a hidden service fee. If you see information about them scamming people or offering less-than-exemplary service (despite the low, low rates they offer), you’re probably not going to have much luck negotiating your way out of superfluous fees.

Know How to Sign Up

Some utility providers partner with affiliates, as well as utility concierges like MovePad, to offer convenient sign-ups. But what you might not know is that you can unlock additional savings by going through these companies. MovePad has, in many cases, negotiated even better rates for our clients than are advertised online. These rates are exclusive to those who go through us, so you’re likely to get a pretty amazing deal. By doing your research, you can learn all the other ways to sign up for utilities suppliers and potentially save even more.

Why Use a Utilities Concierge?

In addition to saving you money, we take all the time, headache, and guesswork out of signing up for utilities. Because we’ve formed a relationship with these utilities suppliers, we know which ones will best suit your needs. Not only that, sometimes we’re able to negotiate further to get you a killer deal on your phone, TV, security, or home cleaning package. We’ll even set up appointments with them based on your availability, taking all the stress out of the equation.

Ready to get started? Simply fill out the form on our Contact Us page and we’ll take care of the rest!

Why You Need a Residential Security System

You have a dog, a baseball bat by the bed, and perhaps even a trick or two up your sleeve just in case somebody tries to break in to your home, so you might be wondering why you need a residential security system. Homes are broken in to round the clock, and it doesn’t matter what neighborhood you live in—you’re susceptible to break-ins no matter where you live.

At MovePad, we take your safety, comfort, and peace of mind seriously. We know there are a lot of moving parts when it comes to a residential security system, so we’ve taken the guesswork out of the equation. We’ve partnered with the top commercial and residential security system companies across the country to help take the stress off you. When you’re ready to buy a residential security system, simply fill out the form below and we’ll get you taken care of. In many cases, we can even get you exclusive discounts for going through us. Start the ball rolling with MovePad today!

Here are some of the top reasons to buy a security system.

Residential Security System Provides Peace of Mind

Let’s start with your family. If you’re a parent, you probably spend most of your time wondering where your kids are, when they got home from school, or who came home with them. Now you don’t have to worry (well, worry as much—they are still kids at the end of the day!). A residential security system can come equipped with cameras that show who comes and goes throughout the day, and even send you a text or email alert when it happens. You won’t have to rely on your high schoolers to remember to call you, or the nanny to check in.

Catch Thieves in the Act

Whether it’s a porch thief scouting for your packages or somebody who wants to score your 55” TV they saw as they drove by, you now have the technology to fight back. Surveillance cameras will alert you and record the blow-by-blow, but when you’ve enabled your alarm system, it’ll alert you, as well as the authorities. When the would-be thief realizes they’re being recorded, chances are, they’ll turn tail and run. And even if they don’t, HD recording devices will make sure every pixel is captured in true color, making identifying them even easier.

Fire Alerts

One of the last things we ever want to think about is having a house fire. Your family will have precious minutes to escape, and you might not be able to grab a phone on the way out. A residential security system is designed to detect fires and alert emergency responders, and, of course, alert you and your loved ones that you need to get out now. Not only that, many systems can detect heat—the precursor to many home fires—so you have even more time to react.

Carbon Monoxide Alerts

Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that in many cases can go undetected. A residential security system can detect carbon monoxide gas, alert occupants to vacate the home, and notify authorities that an emergency is happening. They can ensure that you and your loved ones have made it to safety, provide medical care, and fix the cause of the issue.

When you’re ready to buy a security system, MovePad is here for you. Our pros are waiting to help match you with the best residential security system for your needs, and potentially save you money in the process. Fill out the form below to get started today!

Best Satellite TV Comparison To Consider!

Which satellite TV provider is best for you?  When you take a look on the surface, they all seem pretty similar and it can be hard to determine which is the best.  However, there isn’t a single provider that stands out as better than the rest, so let us help you make an educated decision on the differences and help you find the right service for you.

Satellite TV Comparison Options

Satellite is available nationwide, but there are a limited number of providers available. This also means more competition between those providers, leading to better deals and offers for consumers. When comparing these satellite providers, it’s important to determine which features and options are most important to you.

  1. Is DVR a must? Consider the following:
    • DVR Costs – Is there an extra monthly fee or is it included in your package?
    • Recording Limitations – What is the maximum number of shows that can be recorded simultaneously? Can you watch live TV while another show is being recorded? Do all shows have to be recorded from the main TV box, or can you record from any TV that is connected to the satellite service?
    • Recording Capacity – How many recordings can the DVR store at one point in time before it requires you to start deleting?
  2. Are you a sports fanatic? Certain providers offer sports channels as a default in their basic packages, where others offer sports add-ons at an additional cost.
  3. Do you value customer service over the features and pricing available to you? The phrase “you get what you pay for” applies to satellite as well. Lower prices can equate to lower quality customer service. However, you may be the type of person who never calls into customer service and doesn’t expect this to be an issue.
  4. Is on-demand your biggest priority? Consider the size of their on-demand library, how often is it updated, and how easy is it to use.
  5. International or Spanish programming – Some providers have a better selection of programming options over others.

What’s Required to Sign Up With Satellite TV?

Keep in mind that all satellite tv providers will require a two-year contract and you must either own the home or have permission from your landlord to install a satellite dish. The providers require a two-year contract because they have promotions that offer the equipment for free up-front, so they want to make sure that you keep the service for at least the amount of time to recoup their initial investment costs. Because of the two-year contract, will credit be an issue for you? This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have bad credit, but perhaps you have little or no credit history.

Or even more relevant, perhaps you don’t want your credit checked at all. Make sure that the provider that you are interested in offers a no credit check option for you. Also an important note regarding this: when credit checks are bypassed, deposits are typically required to be paid on the front end, when you order the new service.

These are just some of the considerations to review when looking for a new satellite tv provider. And since no one provider is ultimately better than the other, it’s best to have an expert review your options and find the best provider for your needs and wants. Needing internet set up as well at your rural location? We’ve got you covered for that as well! Contact MovePad today for all your home services connections!

National Preparedness Month: Stay in The Know!

It’s September, which means it’s National Preparedness Month! With this month becoming more popular it’s important everyone knows the meaning behind it. Preparation is key for any major disaster. Make sure you stay current on preparedness trends. Don’t be caught off guard and make sure your home is secure!

What is National Preparedness Month

National Preparedness Month was started by the U.S. government to help families & organizations across the country during natural disasters. Some of the key focuses of this organization include prevention, protection, response, and recovery during these times of crisis.

Dating back to 2001 the government has urged citizens to make survival plans in preparation of national disasters. The month of September was decided on after many Americans went through the horrors of September 11, 2001. With the month also falling within Hurricane season, it made more sense to hold National Preparedness Month in September.

Preparing for a Natural Disaster

Being prepared sounds like common sense. However, it was noted in a previous survey that less than 50% of the population have an emergency plan in place. Families should be aware of the situational emergencies that could take place around their residence. Do you live in Hurricane, Tornado, Earthquake, or Fire risk zones? Each disaster is different and should be prepared for differently.

However, one thing that’s needed for all of the above situations is an emergency supply kit. Having one of these kits at your disposal could be the difference between life and death during an emergency. They’re very cost affordable and should be stored in every household & vehicle.

What Should Be in Your Emergency Supply Kit

One of the biggest things that National Preparedness Month stresses is having an Emergency Supply Kit. If you’d like to go the route of making your own, it needs to be done correctly. Making sure you have the RIGHT items can make all the difference. Below are some items that should be included in your kit:

  • Water – 1 gallon of water, per individual, per day for a minimum of 3-days
  • Food – minimum 3-day supply of non-perishable food, per person
  • Flashlight
  • Radio- stay current on your situation
  • Extra batteries
  • Towelettes / Hand Sanitizer
  • Manual Can Opener- for food
  • Local map(s)
  • First aid kit
  • Whistle- to signal for help
  • Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
  • Prescription Medications
  • Pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives
  • Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream
  • Pet food and extra water for your pet
  • Cash or traveler’s checks
  • Personal hygiene items
  • Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
  • Matches in a waterproof container
  • Chlorine bleach and medicine dropper to disinfect water

Home Security During A Natural Disaster

Many disasters can leave you and your loved ones displaced from your home. Unfortunately, this is a prime time for people to burglarize homes. Making sure your home is protected by a home security system is the number one way to keep your belongings safe when you’re gone! These systems come with wireless/back up battery technology. Meaning that even if your power goes out from a natural disaster…your home is still protected!

MovePad is one of the largest nationwide providers of home security systems. Offering multiple providers and plans depending upon your home’s needs. Interested in protecting your family and possessions? Speak with a MovePad representative today at www.MovePad.com.

National Preparedness Month also advocates in addition to a security system. If you’re forced to leave your house, make sure:

  • All doors and windows are locked
  • Hidden Keys are removed
  • Valuables are taken with you or locked in a safe
  • Use timers and/or leave lights on in and outside of the house.