Whether you’re single, or you have a family—it doesn’t matter: home security is always an important factor for every homeowner. Thanks to technology, nowadays we have elaborate security cameras and security services, but in some cases, you’re better off going old school and using guard dogs to make your home safe. Or even combining all of them! Whatever makes you feel safe!
With that in mind, we have gathered 5 of the most reliable home security systems for you to consider what is the best one for your real estate needs.
Guard Dogs
Dogs have been guarding real estate properties for centuries. It is a super reliable home security system. The dog is trained to be aware of trespassers, bark at the sight of them to alarm the homeowner and eventually attack if the trespasser doesn’t do it by himself/herself, scared of all the barking and perils the dog might cause.
However, there are many factors involving the evaluation of the use of a guard dog as your home security system. First, different from other home security systems, a guard dog, will be a recurrent source of expenses for homeowners. Homeowners should prefer guard dog breeds, which might prove it as expensive as some high-end electronic alarm systems. And then, month after month you have to pay for the dog’s alimentation. And veterinarian expenses. And grooming. Since most guard dogs are big in size, the costs might be elevated. Plus, looking at it as a real estate asset, the dog’s Depreciation is fast and you just can’t sell the house with the dog in it as a featured home security system. But, hey! We’re just acknowledging that aspect. What you should really think about is that, differently from other home security systems, guard dogs do “overtime” serving as your family’s best friend, giving lots of love and teaching lots of lessons to your children (and yourself!).
Private Security Service
This solution is also a common one but will probably require you to reach out to the neighbors to get their approval and also help with the monthly costs. It can be nice to have familiar faces looking out for you, helping make your home safe. However, some homeowners don’t like it so much. They are afraid of human error, and the truth is that sometimes personalities don’t match and that can become a touchy situation. However, security-wise, private security service is proven to be a reliable system that, on a real estate standpoint, brings value to your property.
In the case you and your neighbors choose this as your go-to home security system, it’s important to have a long discussion – within yourselves first and with the company itself later – about the limits of action for the private security company. Are you comfortable with them being armed? What will be their safety protocol for each situation? What about privacy? How will their presence affect everyday living in your community? Those are important aspects to consider when you choose a private security service as your home security system.
Neighborhood Watch
Don’t frown upon neighborhood watch! Reality is that all home security systems are much more efficient at preventing danger rather than actually stopping it. Neighborhood watch can bring together the community, thus reducing the risk of burglary and vandalism. Sometimes, unfortunately, the individual responsible for the wrongdoings is a member of the community, and any kind of activity – including neighborhood watch – can bring a sense of belonging and caring that will make any person think twice before doing it.
What is important to reiterate isf that a neighborhood watch is not a vigilante association. Any immediate danger must be reported to the authorities. A neighborhood watch is just a good way to make your home safe through the power of inclusion and socialization activities within your neighbors. A harmonious community is most likely to have more security as people take care of each other. Are you a good neighbor? It starts with you…
With the advent of the internet and the quick development of technology, and Home Automation, security systems have been pushed to a new level. You can have a motion sensor outside of your house that turns the lights on (or sound an alarm and even call the cops!) to scare off the trespasser. With the use of security cameras, you can remotely track all of that through your smartphone and instantly put the whole house on lockdown!
Smart House Security System
The beauty of a smart house security system is how much you can customize to your own needs. However, when you start adding several devices – sometimes connected with private security services – it can become quite a costly project. Not to mention that it requires you to be just a little bit technologically savvy to handle all the device installations and maintenance. But back to the real estate standpoint: those are definitely the ones homeowners should look for to add value to their property. Having a good up to date smart house security system will undoubtedly raise the fair market value of the home when time comes to put it on the market.
Internal Security Systems
Those are a little bit controversial. However, unfortunately, sometimes we have to consider installing bullet-proof windows or even building a bunker, a safe room or safe house.
Although the upkeep is minimal, the initial investment is probably the highest when you’re considering an internal security system. And the sturdiness of those systems might play it against you in the case of fire, for instance: how will you breakthrough a bullet-proof window?! Plus, even though it might help build value to your house in the future when you try to sell it, you should consider that, now, in the present, friends and family might feel a little bit uncomfortable with it. The whole idea of any home security system is to bring a sense of protection. You wouldn’t want to do the exact opposite and make everybody feel scared and stressed, right?
What are some of the home security system costs?
Now that you have gone through some of the most reliable home security systems, you are probably wondering how much would it cost to install a home security system? Obviously, a neighborhood watch or a guard dog would not necessarily imply a financial investment but it could. I mean, not everyone knows how to train a dog into becoming a guard dog and a neighborhood watch requires a group of civilians devoted to crime and vandalism prevention.
However, we want to talk about the financial implications of installing a house security system. As you may know, most of the home security companies, provide a complete service as well as a complete package of tools and equipment to keep your home safe. Keep in mind that this usually comes with a plan and for most of these home security systems, a company might charge less than 1$/day or even close to $2/day which is the difference between having premium products and more features.
Installing home security systems used to be an expensive affair that apparently was reserved for the rich. Nowadays that is no longer the case because companies have managed to create systems that are more affordable. For example, reducing the upfront costs for those who are willing to sign a contract. In this way, equipment and installation which would usually come at a high cost in the beginning are folded into the monthly monitoring bill that you pay over the lifetime of the contract.
For example, there are types of home security systems that offer a base package (which includes equipment and installation) at a cost of about $879, but that cost is folded into the monthly monitoring plan which is at $40/month if you are willing to sign a 3 year contract. If that still seems too expensive, some systems allow you to install the equipment if you feel handy enough to do the job yourself. That would mean that you skip installation costs and one such home security system company would charge around $229 and a monthly monitoring price range of $15.
So as you can see, home security system costs are manageable, making your home safety more accessible than ever before.
Cheaper options for making your home safe
Even though the cost of home security systems has become very accessible for everyone who wants to make their home safer, you might not need all the equipment that comes along with the package. For many people, it is just that one thing that can make all the difference in terms of home security. Therefore, you get to spend even less money and benefit from a piece of solid security equipment that is a lifesaver.
Some of these pieces of equipment might come at a higher price initially but you can avoid paying a monthly monitoring plan to a home security company. You just buy and install the equipment and then you are good to go. No contracts, no monthly payment plans, and some of the security gadgets are really easy to install; no technological know-how required!
Take the video doorbell, for example, a really nice addition to your home with advanced security features. Ring.com is one of the leading companies when it comes to advanced video doorbells, and the price for their product is currently standing at $229. You can obviously find cheaper versions with prices that start at around $25, and it is up to you what kind of security feature you are interested in having for your home.
Sometimes, it is really easy to scare off any potential burglars with a smart and cheap idea such as fake security cameras or smart light bulbs. By having outdoor lighting or smart light bulbs installed in your living room, porch, or kitchen, you can set them to turn on at certain times during the night, and therefore making your home less prone to break-ins. A smart light bulb from a well-known company such as Wyze.com would only cost you about $8 for one bulb or $30 for four bulbs.
Dummy cameras are a good way to make your home look like a locked-down compound and you wouldn’t have to spend a fortune for real security cameras. You can easily find a four-pack of dummy cameras for under $20, which makes it a very affordable and easy way to help you feel safe in your home. You might think of it as an unusual way to make your home safer, but it works and people consider it an efficient and cheap method amongst other types of home security system.
Let’s not forget our trusty virtual assistant, Alexa who can also help make our home safer. A relatively recent addition to the Amazon Echo Dot device is the Alexa Guard, who keeps an ear open on your house when you’re out. Enabling the feature is as simple as saying “Alexa, I’m leaving”, and then the device will notify you through the app if there is any noise around while you are missing. It is an effective and fairly cheap way to secure your home and you can usually find the Amazon Echo Dot on sale for about $25. This is also a solution for child safety in your home, so that way you hit two birds with one stone.
How to protect your house from break-ins
No one really wants to have a house break-in, but it can happen and you want to avoid it or prevent it. When the safety of your family is on the line, there is no price you wouldn’t pay in order to ensure the safety of your home. That is where home safety systems come into play, and since we covered some of the home security system costs you probably want to know more about what these home security systems have to offer.
If you are wondering what you get for a home security system plan, here are some of the things you can expect. A plan usually comes with a full security toolkit that might include, indoor and outdoor cameras, motion, window and door sensors, smoke and flood sensors, and so on. The most advanced home security systems are usually monitored through an app on a tablet or on your phone.
With systems as complex as this, you will be alerted if someone comes by your property, or attempts to get in. Even if you are far away from your home, you can still set the system and it will alert you if the motion sensors have been triggered, or if the cameras spot something. You have a 24/7 video feed and you can literally see and know everything that moves in your house without you even being there.
This makes it easy for you to protect your house from break-ins because you can immediately react to suspicious activities or alarms and send in someone to check it out when you are not present. That is the reason why modern home security systems are so effective and as you have already seen they are reasonably priced for the amount of security it provides for your home.
Conclusion
With this and every other kind of security system: talk, discuss with people close to you and your home. People sense danger and protection differently. But their action must be harmonious, because, in the end, one of the only feelings all human beings have in common – and the only feeling humankind crave for more than love – is freedom. In the end, communication and knowledge – both only obtained through freedom – are by far the most reliable security systems.
A good real estate agent will guide you through all the best options to make your home safe! Find one close to you in The OFFICIAL Real Estate Agent Directory®!
