Tuesday, March 16, 2010
According to research conducted by Saga Home Insurance, 32 percent of people over the age of 50 know their neighbours well and socialise with them on a regular basis. In contrast, it was found that just four percent do not know their neighbours at all.
The research also showed that friendship and trust seemingly grow stronger with age. It was found that one quarter of 50 to 54 year olds are close to their neighbours compared to 44 percent of those over the age of 75. However, the tradition of knocking and walking straight into a neighbours’ kitchen for a ‘cup of tea and a chat’ is reportedly a thing of the past. In fact, 74 percent of those over 50 years of age say that this is far less common these days, with just seven percent leaving their doors unlocked to visitors and 33 percent always keeping their doors locked.
Saga Home Insurance also discovered that 28 percent of those over the age of 50 believe that they are experiencing an increasing number of unexpected visitors to their home. Furthermore, those over the age of 75 reportedly receive the greatest volume of unexpected visits from business people at 17 percent compared to 11 percent of 50 to 54 year olds.
Executive chairman at Saga Group, Andrew Goodsell, said: "It is encouraging to see the bonds between neighbours remain strong, but the over 50s are wise to be cautious, especially when receiving unexpected visitors. Always ask to see identification before allowing a salesperson into your home. As a homeowner it is your right to refuse entry if you suspect they might be a bogus visitor."
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Homeowners who are not satisfied with the level of security in and around their home could consider taking out a secured loan for
home improvements to rectify any areas of concern. One of many finance options available, a secured loan could be used to replace any weak windows or doors with stronger counterparts. Additional locks could also be added to doors, along with peepholes if desired. Furthermore, borrowers may choose to utilise the money to invest in burglar alarms and even closed circuit television. There are a range of options available to assist in achieving peace of mind.
