What Motivates Burglars to Strike (or to Avoid) a Home?

The best way to keep a burglar out of your home is to understand what draws them to one in the first place, and what sends them looking elsewhere. Burglars are not random; they make quick calculations about reward and risk. Here is what motivates them and how to make your home the one they skip.

The Motive: Fast, Easy Money

The primary driver behind most burglaries is money. Burglary is fast and often hard to solve, which makes it an appealing way to get quick cash. Most burglars want to be in and out in minutes and convert what they take into money soon after, often through pawn shops or secondhand buyers.

What They Target

Burglars go for items that are easy to carry and easy to resell. Studies of burglaries find that cash and jewelry are the most commonly taken, followed by electronics and firearms. Knowing this, it is worth keeping valuables and cash out of sight and securing important items in a safe.

When They Strike

Contrary to the nighttime stereotype, many burglaries happen during the day when homes are empty. Risk also rises during vacations and holidays, when a home may sit unoccupied for days and mail or packages pile up.

What Makes Them Avoid a Home

Burglars consistently avoid homes that look risky to enter. Visible cameras and alarm signage, signs of occupancy, good exterior lighting, a barking dog, secure doors and windows, and watchful neighbors all tip the risk-reward math against them. For more on how intruders choose targets, see our guide on what intruders are looking for.

The single strongest deterrent is a visible, professionally monitored system. Explore SafeTouch security packages or contact our team today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are burglars usually looking for?

Most burglars are after items that are quick to grab and easy to resell: cash, jewelry, electronics, and firearms. Studies of burglaries find cash and jewelry are the most commonly targeted, followed by electronics.

When are burglaries most likely to happen?

Many burglaries happen during the day when homes are empty, and homes are at higher risk during vacations and holidays when owners are away for longer stretches.

What makes a burglar avoid a home?

Visible cameras and alarm signage, signs that someone is home, good lighting, a dog, secure doors and windows, and attentive neighbors all push a burglar to look for an easier target.

How can I make my home less of a target?

Install a visible, monitored security system, keep the home well lit and looking occupied, secure all entry points, trim landscaping that offers cover, and avoid advertising expensive purchases or travel plans.