Home security is one of the most important aspects of any household. Everyone wants to be protected and know that their belongings are protected against those who would harm or steal them.
That is why security systems have been around for years for commercial businesses and private residences. And with advancements in technology, home security systems have never been more obtainable than they are now.
But home sellers want to know how security increases your home’s value and if they can install their own security systems or if they should have them professionally installed?
What Effect Do Security Systems Have on Home Value?
Like we said before, everyone wants to feel safe in their own home. And when they aren’t at home, being able to keep an eye on things helps to ease our minds.
A home security system is one of the most important things that you can use as a homeowner. But unfortunately, home security systems aren’t considered a necessary feature for a home. They are considered a luxury.
Luckily, security systems and other security features are so easily accessible nowadays and are actually affordable for most homeowners. That’s why buyers are interested in homes with preinstalled security features.
A home with security cameras, a doorbell camera, door/window sensors, motion sensors, alarm, and other security features is not only a wonderful selling point but can also increase the value of your home.
And most buyers are willing to pay more for a house with them. Especially if the system is equipped with smart features. But we’ll talk more about those in a moment.
Should I Install My Own Security System?
One common question among sellers is “Should I install my own security system? Or should I have one professionally installed?”
The answer to that is, it depends.
First, we should start by talking about how security increases your home’s value. And if a professional install or a DIY security system install would provide a higher ROI for your home.
Professional security installs will typically have a lower start-up cost. Just like cell phone plans back in the day, most professional security companies will require an initial fee in order to have their technicians come out and install the system.
The price will depend on what type of features or package you want to go with. Once the system is installed and working, you will need to pay a monthly fee that will reflect the level of security that you choose.
It is nice having someone else come out and set it up for you. Not to mention avoiding all of the upfront costs for the devices. And 24-hour monitoring of your home security system isn’t too shabby either. But these advantages come with a price.
A contract.
That is a pretty serious downside for potential buyers. They might not want to continue to pay the monthly fee, leaving you with a difficult choice. Buy out of the contract or potentially lose the buyer.
That is one huge reason why homeowners who know they will end up selling their home decide to go with a DIY home security system. It may cost a little more to start up but they have some pretty sweet advantages.
Advantages like being able to decide exactly what features you want and what features you don’t want. So you only pay for what you need. And you can choose devices that are compatible with anything.
Installing it yourself means endless possibilities. And it means that potential buyers can change or add any security features that they would like.
How Do I Decide What to Use?
Choosing what to use is the biggest struggle when it comes to security systems and setting them up yourself. How do you decide what you need and what you don’t need?
Well, the easiest way to decide what you need is by asking yourself:
- What level of security are you looking for?
- Do you want sensors on your windows that alert you when a window is opened?
- What about glass-breaking sensors? (Not all burglars will be nice enough to open the window)
- Door opening sensors?
- An alarm system with a keypad for when no one is home?
- A backup battery in case the power goes out?
- Indoor/outdoor motion sensors?
- Motion-activated lights outside around the house at all windows and entrances?
- Cameras? Inside and outside the home? Possibly motion activated?
- A doorbell camera?
- A lock on your garage, especially if it is attached to the house?
These are just some of the standard security features that many DIY security systems will have. And with technology growing the way it has, it is more affordable than ever.
Most of these security features can be purchased and implemented for a fraction of the cost that a security company would charge.
So really think about what level of security is important for you and your family. Once you’ve decided what you want out of your security system, you need to think about how you are going to make that happen.
This brings us to the nitty-gritty of your future home security system.
Wired or Wireless?
Wired or wireless security systems? Which one works best?
They both have their advantages and disadvantages. So what should you go with?
Wired:
A wired security system has traditionally been the “go-to” for some home and commercial security. This method requires wires and cables that connect all of your security features to one another seamlessly.
Because they have a hardwired connection, wired security systems are often considered more reliable…but are they really?
Sure, you don’t need to worry about any signal interruptions or outages that can happen with a wireless system. And because the system is “hard-wired” it is in direct contact with electricity. So there is no need to charge batteries or worry about anything of that sort.
However, wired systems cost significantly more to install and can’t be installed by most homeowners on their own. And they can be tampered with if a burglar knows what they are doing.
Wireless:
A wireless security system is very different than a wired one. They rely fully on wireless signals to communicate with the other security devices. Now, this poses a few advantages as well as some disadvantages.
Wireless home security systems are much easier to install (meaning most homeowners can install them on their own).
Because the devices are all wireless, they do require you to recharge the batteries. But on the flip side, that also means that even in a power outage, your wireless devices (like your cameras) will continue to work.
Unfortunately, you do need to worry about interruptions or outages when it comes to wireless signals. However, this type of signal interference is not very common and is often outweighed by the portability of the devices.
Because they aren’t wired, it is much easier to install the cameras, motion sensors, and other devices just about anywhere you can think of. You can literally have a view of the entire perimeter of your home and motion sensor lights that can detect any movement.
Motion Sensors?
How does this kind of security increase your home’s value? Motions sensors are a key part of any security system and can even act as a serious deterrent for criminals.
And they aren’t as expensive as you might think.
With how far we have come with technological advances in the last 20 years, motion sensors are by far one of the least expensive pieces of any home security system. And did you know there are several different kinds to choose from?
Standard Motion Sensor
First off, you have a standard motion sensor that is what most people think of when they hear “motion sensor”. This type of sensor will register any motion or movement and immediately set off the alarm system.
For many commercial buildings that are completely empty at night, this is a great way to protect their business or businesses.
But for a regular homeowner, this type of sensor can prove to be…a challenge.
In most typical homes there are at least a hundred things going on during the night that will constantly set off the motion detection alarm.
If you have a pet roaming around the house at night, a child getting up to use the bathroom, or even just a fan blowing, all of these things can accidentally set off your motion detector and absolutely interrupt your entire family’s night.
So for a residential property, there are other motion detectors that can be far more useful.
Glass Breaking Sensor
A glass breaking sensor is a great security tool to use in any home. Criminals or burglars trying to break into a house aren’t worried about the damage they cause, so breaking a window or the glass of a door is of no concern to them, and makes access to your home all that much easier.
However, glass-breaking sensors on at least all of the first-floor windows and glass doors will help deter criminals from ever entering the house.
Light Activating Motion Sensor
A motion-activated light is another great deterrent for criminals. For obvious reasons, a burglar trying to break into a house is going to look for the darkest and most hidden entrance possible. They don’t want to be seen.
So if they approach the house and start to get too close, that motion-activated light will switch on and put a beautiful bright spotlight on them. Every burglar’s worst nightmare. That is when they will decide that your house is not an ideal candidate for theft and they will leave to find an easier target.
Motion Sensor Camera
Motion-activated cameras are an amazing tool to incorporate into your security system. If the camera is motion-activated, it won’t use as much power and will only record what is important.
The only downside to a motion-activated camera is actually the upside as well.
They only record when they detect movement.
So if something happens at a neighbor’s house across the street and the motion is too far away to trigger the camera, it won’t be recorded. But some people really see this as an upside.
If you come home at the end of the day and want to check the security camera footage that was recorded, you won’t need to go through hours of recording. Simply just look at the footage that is important.
DoorBell Cameras?
Social media and new stations have used doorbell cameras for a while now to catch burglars, criminals, and amazon delivery workers slipping and falling on ice for many years now. These are by far one of the most common and effective security cameras nowadays and it’s easy to see why.
Anyone who might try to steal off of your porch or come to your home with ominous intentions will be recorded immediately.
Alarm Systems?
Alarm systems are fantastic for any homeowner. They are simple and effective.
If someone breaks into your home and triggers any part of the security system, the alarm will go off and won’t stop until the security code is entered.
And if the alarm is going off, they are likely to leave before they have the chance to steal anything of value.
Want to know more about increasing your home’s value before you sell? Take a look at our blog page https://www.swflappraisals.com/blog/.
