Looking to monitor my house for a few months without wifi

[MikeM]

Going to buy a home soon and it will be vacant for 2 months or so. Looking for idea's on monitoring the inside while it is empty. Not going to have time to change locks since I am flying in and out the same day as closing. I just want to make sure that the previous owners don't make a visit.

I see some trail cam's work on cellular and have long battery life's. I think that may be a good option. Hate to spend $100 per camera since I will need. 3. Looking for suggestions.

 

[Saltwater60]

Change the locks. Pay a trusted locksmith to do it.
Trail cameras are a good option but make sure you’ll have good cell service to be able to monitor it.

 

[OwnTheRide]

Maybe not helpful, but it's pretty easy to change locks yourself. Maybe 10 min per door if you're new to it. 2-4 screws.

 

[Parzival]

I’d go with a hotspot device and cheaper WiFi cameras like Blink or Ring, assuming there’s cell service at the house. Unless you have a need for trail cams in the future.

Also, change the locks. 2-3 doors shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes.

 

[Tisto]

You need to find someone local that you trust to check on things. In the next few months, the temps will drop low enough to cause major problems should your heat fail. Also, checking on sump pumps during heavy rains is necessary. No trail camera pointed at a door is going to do that for you. Don't rely on the previous owner to tell you the truth about water ingress during a rainstorm...and unattended water sitting for a few months is long enoigh to destroy your new house.

 

[Robin]

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Plenty out there, should be one that suits your specific needs. Peace of mind is what you seek, good luck.
Robin

 

[MikeM]

You need to find someone local that you trust to check on things. In the next few months, the temps will drop low enough to cause major problems should your heat fail. Also, checking on sump pumps during heavy rains is necessary. No trail camera pointed at a door is going to do that for you. Don't rely on the previous owner to tell you the truth about water ingress during a rainstorm...and unattended water sitting for a few months is long enoigh to destroy your new house.

I think you are thinking too rural. This is a house in a community. The area almost never drops below freezing, especially not before January. Met a nice retired military across the street who I will ask to let me know about any real situations.

I just want to make sure the current owner doesn't decide they want a ceiling fan, light fixture, etc that they left and come back to take it. Its only till Thanksgiving, then I will spend time there securing everything.

 

[spat]

I really think that wifi is by far the cheapest easiest way to do this.

There are other options, but they are going to be more expensive and more work.

A Hotspot or a Starlink mobile plan are your best options for wifi.

The the cameras are easy.

 

[dsdmmat]

Changing the locks is probably your best option. With the neighbor keeping an eye on the place for a little while.

 

[MikeM]

Appreciate that changing locks is easy but in a perfect World I will have 1 hour in the house to do a walk through, double check appliances etc. And that assumes my flight isn't delayed. I will look into a hotspot but I need it to be At&t and I am a Verizon customer. I don't think I can do it simply on line with. Will call them later. I assume if I do a hotspot I can just get a few ring cameras.

 

[Parzival]

Is staying the night and flying the next day not an option?

 

[technicalgadget]

If your in a heavily populated neighborhood, use your phone and open up the WIFI connection app, and see which WIFI signals are the strongest in your unit. Then track down the neighbor with the strongest WIFI and offer payment or compensation to use his WIFI spot for the 2 month interim. Doesn't hurt to ask your next door neighbors up front either.

 

[byron]

have you by chance checked to see if they have free wifi service in the area many city's and some towns have it now

 

[GTN]

Maybe one of us lives close to your new house that would change the locks for you

 

[MikeM]

Meridianville, Alabama.. Nice thought.

 

[Robin]

I wish!

Subject / law	Long guns	Handguns	Relevant statutes	Notes
State permit required to purchase?	No	No
Firearm registration?	No	No
Assault weapon law?	No	No
Magazine capacity restriction?	No	No
Owner license required?	No	No
Permit required for concealed carry?	N/A	No	13A-11-75	Alabama is a "shall issue" state for citizens and lawful permanent residents who are 19 years or older. Permitless concealed carry for residents 18 years or older[4][5] took effect on January 1, 2023.
Permit required for open carry?	No	No	13A-11-7	May carry openly without permit, except handgun must be secured in a holster.
Castle Doctrine/Stand Your Ground law?	Yes	Yes	13A-3-23
State preemption of local restrictions?	Yes	Yes	13A-11-61.3	"...the Legislature hereby occupies and preempts the entire field of regulation in this state touching in any way upon firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories..."
NFA weapons restricted?	No	No	13A-11-54	It is illegal to carry an Any Other Weapon(AOW) disguised as a walking cane.
Peaceable Journey laws?	No	No
Background checks required for private sales?	No	No

Seems Alabama is a much overlooked free state.
Robin

 

[MikeM]

Well there is that darn high income tax bracket that goes all the way up to 3.5%. House is 2600sq ft 1/3rd acre on a lake. Taxes less than $2500 per year.

 

[Brawny71]

Cell trail/ security cams work great. I use the solar ones and am sold.

Agree with above; change the locks. Make the time.

Neighbors go a long way as well. Make friends by introducing yourself and give contact info; goes a LONG WAY.

Stop in at local police and introduce yourself. Let them know your concerns as well as about squatters. During quiet periods it gives them a positive to do.

The Realitor (who is getting a piece by you using them) ask them for help and your concerns. They often have peoples for that (mow, check) AND who could change the locks for you.

 

[Tisto]

I wish!

Subject / law	Long guns	Handguns	Relevant statutes	Notes
State permit required to purchase?	No	No
Firearm registration?	No	No
Assault weapon law?	No	No
Magazine capacity restriction?	No	No
Owner license required?	No	No
Permit required for concealed carry?	N/A	No	13A-11-75	Alabama is a "shall issue" state for citizens and lawful permanent residents who are 19 years or older. Permitless concealed carry for residents 18 years or older[4][5] took effect on January 1, 2023.
Permit required for open carry?	No	No	13A-11-7	May carry openly without permit, except handgun must be secured in a holster.
Castle Doctrine/Stand Your Ground law?	Yes	Yes	13A-3-23
State preemption of local restrictions?	Yes	Yes	13A-11-61.3	"...the Legislature hereby occupies and preempts the entire field of regulation in this state touching in any way upon firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories..."
NFA weapons restricted?	No	No	13A-11-54	It is illegal to carry an Any Other Weapon(AOW) disguised as a walking cane.
Peaceable Journey laws?	No	No
Background checks required for private sales?	No	No

Seems Alabama is a much overlooked free state.
Robin

And you can marry your sister !

 

[Robin]

And you can marry your sister !

Guarantee you'll find more of that sicko shit in any northeastern urban center than yo will along yer length and breadth of the Bible Belt. Fact is, that myth was created by a NE'ern writer.
Robin

 

[C3D]

What’s the address? Asking for my copper pipe scrapper friend.

 

[MikeM]

He might show up while my son is there. Alabama has that pesty castle doctrine and my son is always armed.
He will protect my pipes.

 

[MikeM]

I resolved myvissue. My realtor will have the locks changed right after the closing.

 

[FP1201]

You need to find someone local that you trust to check on things. In the next few months, the temps will drop low enough to cause major problems should your heat fail. Also, checking on sump pumps during heavy rains is necessary. No trail camera pointed at a door is going to do that for you. Don't rely on the previous owner to tell you the truth about water ingress during a rainstorm...and unattended water sitting for a few months is long enough to destroy your new house.

I've wondered a few times about "Simply Safe" that's supposed to monitor things such as water intrusion, fire alarms, etc.
We've never really decided the need since someone is perpetually always there, but if we had to be gone for a few weeks or more, it might be worth looking into or subscribing so long as you can cancel at any time without penalty.
The Ring Cameras seem to work well enough...friend of mine has them for his property which contains not only his Gun Shop, but a few Car Barns, outbuildings and home...someone rolls up and everything comes on line to his Phone with multiple split images from each camera...kind of neat pulling into his driveway and getting a call telling you the access code and to go right in while he's watching you from miles away.
Personally, while I like what those Ring cameras offer, I'm paranoid about the intrusiveness and rumors of abuse by persons/entities you might not want looking at your property.

 

[MikeM]

That all is good but I won't have wifi for a while

 

[Brawny71]

I've wondered a few times about "Simply Safe" that's supposed to monitor things such as water intrusion, fire alarms, etc.
We've never really decided the need since someone is perpetually always there, but if we had to be gone for a few weeks or more, it might be worth looking into or subscribing so long as you can cancel at any time without penalty.
The Ring Cameras seem to work well enough...friend of mine has them for his property which contains not only his Gun Shop, but a few Car Barns, outbuildings and home...someone rolls up and everything comes on line to his Phone with multiple split images from each camera...kind of neat pulling into his driveway and getting a call telling you the access code and to go right in while he's watching you from miles away.
Personally, while I like what those Ring cameras offer, I'm paranoid about the intrusiveness and rumors of abuse by persons/entities you might not want looking at your property.

Simply Safe works well and is easy to install. Flexible options for power and placement. The notifications rely on WiFi (something the poster mentioned wanting to avoid). I supplement with Wyze which also relies on WiFi and is not from the US.

 

[Zerex]

Depending upon the neighbor, to rat on his old neighbor, is like buying the Brooklyn Bridge.

A Surveillance system is mandatory. How much is the hiouse worth? Empty homes are hard to get ins for.

 

[fresch]

If he owns it he decides if it is a vacation or primary for what state he wants his laws to be.