Thank you, Sadie.
If that was how it was lit on the 3rd I can see why an intruder would choose to ignore entry (and very certainly exit) using the patio doors, even if s/he was aware they were unlocked.
If it was a planned abduction I think it was known.
There was so much cover at the front of the building that makes it an obvious choice. Overhanging trees ~ recessed front door entirely in the shadow ~ giving plenty of opportunity for an individual to stand unseen and take stock before moving away ~ also allowing multiple escape routes should it have been necessary to ditch the child and run.
That the beautiful trees were cut back and a spotlight was subsequently installed tends to suggest a belated risk assessment was carried out.
And then the lies by Pat Brown aided by Amaral make you wonder? Was she just ignorant and easily manipulated, or was she put up to it?... and why?

View from the balcony (middle or upper, I haven't yet had time to work that out.) through the gap in the trees of the front of 5A - where the abductor stood outside the window and outside the front door recess.
Thanks to Johns photo, I am gobsmacked by just how easy it was for a watcher on the balcony to oversee everything that went on in front of Madeleines window and in front of the porch to the front door. That + the fag ends found on the balcony the following morning, help to confirm to me that my theory is pretty damned well right.
But despite that I know i could be wrong.
However the theory proves that it was possible to abduct Madeleine in the time available and gives a possibly valid reason for the delay between the Tannerman sighting and The Smithman sighting.