Having your property broken into is never easy to process. It can prompt all kinds of emotions and drive future decisions — even down to selling the property and moving out of the area.
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That’s the situation one Birmingham, AL couple faces. Ashley, 25, called into The Ramsey Show and explained that she and her husband, 27, are considering this very thing [1].
Ashley bought the house in 2024 and her husband moved in after they got married this past April. But not long after, thieves broke into the couple’s backyard and stole her husband’s lawn equipment. Thankfully, they never broke into the house, she confirmed.
Dave Ramsey acknowledged the loss of peace that can often follow such intrusions. “When you get stolen from, whether it’s out of your yard or out of your closet, it’s emotional … There is a sense of violation that — especially when it’s in your personal residence — that is a big deal.” But he did have some concerns about rushing to sell the home.
He asked Ashley to clarify whether the home is part of a crime-heavy area of Birmingham and she confirmed there doesn’t appear to be a crime problem in her neighborhood.
So it’s a “one-off weird thing,” said host Dave Ramsey, urging that “If you’re stealing lawnmowers, you’re pretty low on the totem pole of thieves. It sounds almost like teenagers … goofing off.”
Here’s why Ramsey said selling could be an “overreaction” and what they might want to do instead.
If your property has been broken into, should you move?
Ashley said her husband “feels violated” and doesn’t feel like they’re safe anymore.
“But you’re not unsafe based on what you’re telling me,” said Ramsey. “So, he’s not being logical. He’s being a drama queen about his lawnmower getting stolen.”
And it’s worth clarifying: While the caller says she was “robbed,” there actually is an important legal distinction between robbery and burglary.
Alabama Code 13A defines robbery as taking property from a person by force or threat of force, meaning the victim is present and either harmed or threatened (such as at gunpoint). Burglary on the other hand involves unlawfully entering or remaining in a building (including a home, store, etc.) with the intent to commit a crime inside (often theft) and without confrontation or even awareness on behalf of the victim that the crime is taking place.
Read more: Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
While the two terms are often mixed up, the legal implications are often more serious in robberies.
So while undoubtedly awful to experience, the caller’s situation sounds more severe than it might have been. Still, if you’re impacted by something similar, the event is worth careful consideration.
If you’re unsure about how safe your neighborhood is (or one you’re looking to move into), you can start with some research [2], such as using the FBI Crime Data Explorer or crime mapping services such as CityProtect.com and CrimeGrade.org.
According to CrimeGrade.org, Birmingham gets an overall score of D+ for safety [3] (however, it’s not clear from Ashley’s call which neighborhood she lives in) — and Ramsey cohost Ken Coleman acknowledges there may be merit in her husband’s concern if Ashley is downplaying how common crime is in her neighborhood.
AreaVibes scores communities on a variety of factors, such as cost of living and amenities, but also provides details about property and violent crime [4]. It gives Birmingham an ‘F’ for crime, with crime rates 191% higher than the Alabama average [5].
There are also apps that can alert homeowners of crime-related incidents in their neighborhood, like Neighbors by Ring (for iOS and Android devices) that allows neighbors to share hyper-local safety and crime information in real time [6].
So a good first step is to understand how likely that such a situation is to recur.
Next, you may want to take steps to disincentivise criminals from targeting your home in the future.
Steps to improve home security
If there’s a high chance you may get robbed again, moving might be a good call, especially if police say such crime is common in the area. Otherwise, there are steps you can take before putting a ‘for-sale’ sign up in your front yard.
For example, consider installing security cameras or a monitored home security system — which means if a break-in occurs, the system will automatically contact law enforcement. Place signs or stickers from the security company in prominent places to deter would-be thieves [7].
One study found that 60% of burglars would look for a new target if they found signs of an alarm and only 13% would continue an attempted burglary if they discovered an alarm [8].
Other tips include installing motion sensor lights around your property and motion sensors on doors and windows (which trigger alerts to your mobile device or a security service if the sensors detect movement) [9]. You can also hang a ‘beware of dog’ sign on your front door — even if you don’t have a dog.
If you’re going to be out of town, put your lights on a timer and ask a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on your place (maybe even parking a car there once in a while to make it look like someone is home).
Lastly, don’t overshare on social media; that could alert would-be thieves to the fact you’re away.
Check your insurance policy
For Ashley and her husband, being robbed is a reminder that “you need to know what’s going on with your homeowners insurance,” according to Ramsey.
A standard homeowners policy covers theft under personal property coverage. Personal property typically includes items like furniture, appliances and electronics. If any of those items are stolen, your insurance company would reimburse you for the cost — up to your coverage limit, minus your deductible.
However, there may be limitations for high-value goods, such as jewelry, fine art, antiques, collectibles or firearms. In that case, talk to your insurance company about whether you need to get those items appraised. You may need to add a rider to your existing policy or, in some cases, purchase a specialized policy.
Another caveat is that if you fail to protect your belongings — such as leaving the door unlocked while you’re away from home — then your claim could potentially be denied.
If you install a home security system, you may be able to get a discount on your homeowners insurance (so long as the system is one approved by your insurer)[10]. Talk to your insurance company about what discounts they offer for different home security measures.
While insurance might not make you feel physically safer, it may help you feel more prepared financially should you have the misfortune of being targeted by thieves.
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[1]. The Ramsey Show. YouTube post on Aug. 30, 2025
[2]. FBI Crime Data Explorer. National Data
[3]. CrimeGrade.org. “The safest and most dangerous places in Birmingham, AL: crime maps and statistics”
[4]. AreaVibes. “Find the best places to live”
[5]. AreaVibes. “Birmingham, AL Area Guide”
[6]. Ring. “Neighbors by ring”
[7]. safewise. “Is your neighborhood safe? 7 tools to help you find out”
[8]. SafeHome.org. “Is your neighborhood safe? 7 tools to help you find out”
[9]. safewise. “How to outsmart a burglar and keep your home safe”
[10]. Progressive. “Can you save on home insurance with a security system?”
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
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