Flip Got Broken Into - Any Suggestions?

Question

Welp... Just got some terrible news. At around 12:00 noon our flip here in Atlanta got broken into.

They stole all the tools we had inside the property - but thankfully they didn't steal our appliances.
We have a simplisafe system in there already, so I think that scared them off.

But does anyone in here have any extra advice on what you've done / what you would do in this situation?

I want to get cameras for the property - but cameras require wifi. Given this is a renovation project we obviously have no intention of getting wifi set up for the house. So that's a bit of a difficult option.

Scott Mac · Answer

Go down to a few of the closest pawn shops and get your tools back....

Because you can bet it isn't someone who want to work with them that stole them.

Good Luck!

Rick Baggenstoss · Answer

I'd put some wireless tracking devices on/in your valuables.  Something like Apple AirTags that are gonna last a bit and might help you recover the toolbox or appliances, if stolen.

Camera will only help you watch them walk away with it.  It won't speed up reaction time and usually doesn't help you catch 'em.   However, cameras would discourage some people.

Account Closed · Answer

I had that problem on a flip in mid town Phoenix. People continually breaking in. Turned out the house was near a drug rehab center I didn't know about. My bad. Anyway, I installed wi-fi and got a SWAN 4 cameral system with motion activation and night cameras included. It was about $300 and reusable. Setting up wifi was some more money. I also installed motion sensor lights all over the place.Since I had about $10,000 in new appliances, materials and equipment in the house it was worth it to me.  I could watch the property from my phone.Yep, it would scare them off and we could see on them turn around when the sensors went off.  In the event they don't turn around, and they break in, you have warning, can call the police and the police will respond. Well, if you aren't a "defund the police" type, they will respond. ;-) Phoenix police have a very tough job right now.If the quality of the camera is good enough, the recording can be used by the police.

Account Closed · Answer

I like the idea of the Apple Air Tags. Great idea. They are cheap and small. I should look into how they work.For the cameras, you put them INSIDE the house as well, pointed at the appliances. I had mine set up so that they would pick up the face when entering and another of the face when leaving. Keep in mind that large appliances take time to move from the kitchen to the truck. The refrigerator had to have it's door removed to get it into the house. So taking it out is time consuming. The thieves of course will tear out the cameras if they can reach them especially inside the house. So, the trick is to use wifi to put the recorder in the attic at a tough spot to get to. For power we installed an outlet in the attic which code calls for anyway.And as always you have your phone for seeing what's going on.

Matthew Von Dwingelo · Answer

Excellent tips here. I'm already conveying the tips to my business partner as we speak so we can get to work ordering everything. Really appreciate you going more in depth here as well.

Matthew Von Dwingelo · Answer

LOL. Thank you! Hopefully we'll be finished with this project shortly and we'll be able to get it sold quick.

Allie Pfannenstiel · Answer

Yes! I once had a meth head break in and demolish everything in the house and break water lines. After that we had a local security company to set up monitoring month to month on all windows and doors. It would scream bloody murder and call the police. Signage of course helps to saying the place is monitored.

Matthew Von Dwingelo · Answer

This is a really great idea actually. Then we'll be able to find the person & they likely won't even know. I like this suggestion a lot - thank you!

Matthew Von Dwingelo · Answer

Man, lots of great input here. Thank you for that. I'm thinking just getting the cameras may be the right play at this point. Did you leave the cameras for your end buyer? Or did you remove them and use them on another property?

Unfortunately ATL is a very high "Defund the police" area... but we've been getting relatively quick responses from them when the security system alarms them. We've got the motion sensor lights on now - but these people literally came in the middle of the day. It would've been great if we had cameras. Our house is across the street from an apartment for low income housing. That said there's a fence between our subdivision and the apartment complex - but they jump the fence. Maybe the cameras will be the best option.

Flip Got Broken Into - Any Suggestions?

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