ORLANDO, Fla. -- When it comes to selling a home, it's often said that the key is "location, location, location," but a new study says that the location of a home can make it more likely to become a target of crime.

A study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania shows that homes located less than a mile from a highway exit are at a greater risk of being burglarized.

Louis Bayron said he recently moved into the gated townhome neighborhood of Savannah Pines in Orange County because he thought it would be a safe place to live.

"This was pretty new, so a lot of people didn't know about this place, but now we have (state Road) 417 (nearby)," Bayron said.

A short time after the Bayrons moved into the home, several burglaries occurred at homes in the neighborhood. Cars in the area then became targets, with seven vehicles being broken into in one night. A few weeks later, another four vehicles on the same streets were burglarized.

Homeowners and deputies have since joined forces to fight the crime trend, holding neighborhood watch programs.

"Checkbooks, GPSs, all kinds of stuff, a checkbook -- man, they can bounce checks all over Orange County, Seminole County, Osceola County," said an unidentified Orange County sheriff's deputy who attended one of the watch meetings.

Bayron said he's not in a place to relocate, so he's working to make his home safer.

"I'm keeping my neighbors aware, even introducing myself to new neighbors and kind of letting them know what's going on," Bayron said.

Savannah Pines is also located minutes from state Road 528.

"It has its conveniences, which I'm not going to argue, but at the same time, you know, it does open gateways to other things like crimes, burglaries," the deputy said.

"I'm pretty worried about having the 417 as close to the neighborhood," Bayron said.

This summer, a gang burglarized several homes, cars and businesses along Interstate 4.

"As you see, it's an easy exit. Easy on, easy off. Just get off," Orange County sheriff's Detective Will Ross said. "They'd see a car, break into it, take what they want from it, and then get back in their vehicle, get back on I-4 and keep driving."

Other factors make homes more appealing to criminals, according to the study, including corner lots.

Houses on cul-de-sacs and dead-end streets may be safer because homes on a through street offer an easier escape.

Deputies said gated communities may make residents feel safer, but if a guard is not present, the gate may only be providing a false sense of security.