Why Palaio Faliro Needs Extra Care

Palaio Faliro occupies a very special position in Athens life; it combines the concentrated living of city dwellers, easy access to the sea, and great demand from both Greek and foreign property buyers alike. As a result, it has grown to become one of the most popular places for property investors.

However, it is the exact same combination of elements which presents much greater risk.

Targeted crime, for example, is becoming ever more prevalent. The increased danger from extreme weather-related incidents (such as recent floods) means that property owners in Palaio Faliro are experiencing threats that are very different to those experienced in quiet suburban areas. A professional home watch service in Palaio Faliro will play a vital role in looking after properties that are left unattended – even for a short period.

Below, I explain why Palaio Faliro needs to be looked after more carefully; what dangers are being ignored, and how a structured home watch service will protect your property for 12 months of the year.

Palaio Faliro Needs Extra Care

Palaio Faliro is certainly not a quiet suburb, it is bustling, well-connected and densely populated. This density creates opportunity, not just convenience.

The many apartment blocks in the area contain:

• Older blocks of flats with communal entrances,
• Balconies facing onto side streets or inner courts,
• Underground storage rooms and car parks,
• Short-term rentals, or empty apartments between rentals.

Once an apartment is left unattended, it is rapidly noticed – particularly in apartment buildings where tenants and owners come and go constantly.

Crime in Urban Coastal Areas

Crime in areas like Palaio Faliro is generally opportunistic, not random.

Increased risks include:

• Accessibility from main roads,
• Large numbers of short-term/absentee landlords,
• Multiple entry and exit points in apartments,
• Blocks where few people know their neighbors.

Absentee-owned apartments are often identifiable by:

• Extended use of closed shutters,
• Consistent lighting patterns,
• Full mail boxes,
• Untouched balconies.

In urban coastal areas break-ins tend to be quick and stealthy. Weak points include:

• Balcony doors,
• Storage rooms,
• Older window frames,

In some instances, burglars return to a property several times because they believe the property is unmonitored.

Regular home visits greatly reduce the burglary threat by disrupting the thief’s predictable routine.

Weather Risks in Palaio Faliro

Weather is likely to be the greatest under-rated risk in Palaio Faliro.

Its low elevation, coastal position and aging drainage system mean that the area is exposed to flooding during heavy rainfall. Flooding in Palaio Faliro has been observed throughout the last decade and has occurred in numerous neighborhoods along the southern coast of Athens, including streets, basements and underground car park in Palaio Faliro.

Common Issues Caused by Flooding

Following heavy rainstorms, we see:

• Water entering through balcony doors and terraces,
• Flooding of basement storage rooms,
• Flooding of underground car parks,
• Moisture affecting electrical panels.

All these issues escalate very quickly when there is no-one around to address them. For example, a leak that would be easily manageable within hours can cause structural or electrical damage to a property if it is not addressed for days or weeks.

Wind, Salt Air and Coastal Exposure

As an area adjacent to the sea, Palaio Faliro is exposed to strong winds and salt-laden air.

This causes:

• Loose balcony shutters,
• Damage to awnings,
• Wear-through of balcony seals allowing water to penetrate,
• Accelerated wear on doors and windows.

Storms highlight the importance of regular property inspections and enable potential issues to be identified before they worsen.

Cost of Not Monitoring a Property

Most owners feel that as long as everything is okay, no home watch or monitoring is necessary. However, most significant damage begins quietly and invisibly.

Absentee-owned apartments develop:

• Mold growth in bathrooms and kitchen,
• Dry plumbing traps causing strong odors,
• Malfunctioning appliances going unseen,
• Small pest infestation through holes,
• High humidity damaging furniture and finishes,

When the owner finally returns, what was once a minor issue, now is a costly repair.

Components of Our Home Watch & Check Service

Professional home watching and checking services are systematic, consistent and recorded. They are not ad-hoc visits or merely keyholding.

Our Palaio Faliro home watch service is designed to detect risks and notify owners in advance of potential issues.

Interior Inspection

Each visit includes an inspection of the interior of the property:

• Complete visual examination of all rooms,
• Identify any signs of leaks or moisture,
• Identify unusual odors,
• Check appliance functionality,
• Air the property.

Doors, Windows and Access Points

We inspect:

• Entrance doors,
• Balcony doors and windows,
• Shutter frames and mechanisms,
• Any signs of forced entry or manipulation.

In apartment buildings, the balconies are the most accessible entry point.

Plumbing & Water Systems

We also inspect:

• Tap and toilet flushing,
• Areas where plumbing is located,
• Early signs of leaks,
• Potential drainage issues.

This is especially true in older buildings with shared pipes.

Balconies, Storage Rooms and Common Areas

In addition, we also inspect:

• Balcony and terrace drainage systems,
• Storage rooms for signs of flooding,
• Flooding of basements or garages,
• Visible damage to exterior surfaces post-storm.

Photographic Reports and Regular Updates

Immediately following each visit, we send:

• Photographs documenting the condition of the property,
• A summary of the property’s condition,
• Notifications if immediate attention is required,

No guesswork on the condition of your property.

Importance of Being Local to Palaio Faliro

Home watching only provides value when the service provider is local.

Being local to Palaio Faliro allows us to:

• Respond quickly following storms or alerts,
• Be familiar with the typical layout of buildings and the types of issues that commonly occur in older apartment blocks,
• Coordinate directly with local tradespeople if required,

Home watching becomes real protection rather than mere formality.

Insurance & Vacant Property Provisions

Many insurance policies have provisions related to leaving properties unattended. If a property is left unattended without documented evidence of regular inspections, then claims related to damage from water, theft or vandalism may be contested.

Documenting regular property inspections provides:

• Evidence of continuous oversight,
• Reduces the insurance risk,
• Early detection,
• Documented history for insurance purposes.

For flood-prone areas like Palaio Faliro, having this documentation is essential.

Who Would Benefit the Most from Home Watching in Palaio Faliro

Our customers typically fall into the following categories:

• Property owners who live outside Greece,
• Second-home owners,
• Investors who keep their properties vacant for lengthy periods,
• Families living abroad temporarily,
• Sellers of properties who want to rent out their properties in advance of a sale.

In all cases, our objective is simple: providing peace of mind and security.

The Types of Problems We Identify

Regular inspections help us identify the following issues:

• Minor leaks before they flood an entire apartment,
• Issues with balcony drainage post-storm,
• Starting mold in closed bathrooms,
• Security breaches prior to escalation,
• Electrical issues due to moisture.

The cost to rectify these issues is minimal when caught early, while the costs can be significant when discovered later.

Protecting Your Property in Palaio Faliro Smartly

Palaio Faliro is one of the most desirable coastal locations in Athens, but it requires a pro-active approach to maintaining your property due to its coastal location and density.

By employing a local home watch service to monitor your apartment, you are ensuring that it is never completely abandoned. This will minimize your risks, limit any potential damage and ensure that you are informed about the condition of your property at all times.

If your Palaio Faliro property is empty for extended periods of time, using a professional home watching service is one of the least expensive and most effective methods of securing your investment and returning to a property that feels identical to when you first departed.