Home Security

In previous blogs I’ve tried to make it abundantly clear that the average apartment or condo renter is much more likely to be the victim of a breaking and entering crime than is the average individual living in a single family home. Although this is contrary to popular belief it is a misconception that remains to be overlooked and as such many apartment renters wind up suffering a fate that could have easily been avoided had a simple, cost-effective and easy-to-install alarm been put in place.

One thing I always tell customers is that the items that are often taken from an apartment during a burglary is really secondary compared to the lost sense of security we should all enjoy in the comfort of our own homes. Renters insurance will often replace monetary losses but nothing will repair the feeling of insecurity one naturally feels after he or she has been the victim of a burglary. So to avoid these feelings of dangerous insecurity all renters should take the simple step of installing some form of apartment alarm.

Aside from how inexpensive these alarms are they are also extremely easy to install yourself and take almost no time to do so. This also is an advantage renters that wish to install a security system have over those that live in a single family home. If a home dweller wishes to install a security system it is most likely something that is going to cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars to do. The main reason for this is because the average apartment or condo has less square footage to secure and more importantly have fewer points of entry than the average single family home, especially those apartments or condos that are not on the ground level. Apartment dwellers have devices like the door guard alarm for example, this device is an alarm you simply hang over the door knob of any door and when the slightest bit of vibration or movement is detected an extremely loud 130 decibel alarm will sound and no doubt scare even the most foolish of intruders away.

So if you are renting please be sure to take the small amount of time, effort, and money to not only purchase a renters insurance policy but to install some apartment alarms to ensure that you will never have to know the sinking feeling that occurs when you try to go to sleep the night after a break in has occurred at your residence.

Stay Safe,
Carl Vouer



By: Carl Vouer


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You do not want to purchase any product meant to secure your home without feeling confident that it will perform as it’s supposed to. Finding the best wireless camera security system that fits your budget and your home’s specific needs, is key to ensuring the safety of your belongings, and more importantly, your family.

The 3 main factors to consider in order to purchase a wireless camera security system that best fits your needs:

1) Number of cameras. Most wireless camera systems come with a certain amount of cameras included and the number of cameras can vary tremendously. Some systems come with as few as two cameras while others come with up to 24. Read the manufacturer’s spec sheet to understand what square footage the system is designed for and ensure that a specific brand can cover the amount of area you desire. Do not purchase more than you need because you will overpay, and that extra money could be spent on other features.

2) Picture Quality. How much detail do you need the video feed to have? Do you want to be able to identify the faces of potential intruders or do you just need to be warned if someone is on your property that shouldn’t be. There are many levels of resolution and the higher quality the picture, the more money you will spend. You also have to decide between black and white and full color. Surprisingly, black and white systems often offer higher quality, clearer video.

3) Features. Do you want to be able to zoom in on something? Do you want the option of motion detection alarm sounding? Do you want to be able to view the video feed on your cell phone? There have been amazing technological advancements in these systems and the sky is pretty much the limit with features, if you can afford them.



By: Jennifer Lynn Hanson

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People want to protect their home, and entering into an agreement with a company can do this for you. Be aware that there are some common home security complaints that you need to look out for, and tips on how to avoid them. By being prepared before you shop, you can save yourself money and hassles when you choose the right company.

One of the most often heard complaint is not being called when the system goes off. Most companies that monitor them will allow for a few minutes to turn it off before they call, and if it is done so during this time will not call to check on you. If this is a concern, speak frankly to the sales representative that you purchase it from to find out their policy on this and see if it is acceptable to you.

Another complaint is that own the equipment, but you cannot choose the company to monitor your home. This is something you need to know before you give any money over, and get it in writing that you can choose the company you want to monitor the home, even if it is not them. Many of these companies are allowing others to do so once you have fulfilled the contract, and if you find yourself with a company that doesn’t, you may want to keep shopping around.

Others complain of high pressure sales tactics and misinformation. The best way to handle this is to arm yourself with your own information that you get from the internet before you ever speak to anyone at all. This way you can find out what you need to know and reduce the risk of being pressured into something you do not need.

Free systems are another thing that is complained about, since they may not be truly free. In some cases, they are inadequate for most homes and therefore require you to purchase additional equipment to really cover your home. The best way to avoid this is to research what you need, and make sure that the free product will cover the square footage in your home.

Police response can also be a concern, and in some places the response to the calls can take a long time. Some of this may be due to the fact that you are under a trial period with the monitoring company where they will not call the police since the system can be accidentally set off as you get used to it, or it may be their policy to simply do this. You can request to not have this trial period to help minimize the risk of it happening to you.

Contracts that automatically renew is another frequent complaint, and here reading the fine print is the only way to save you from entering into an agreement where this occurs. If it is part of the language of your contract, ask to have it removed before you sign, or find out exactly what the policy is to be removed from this auto renewal. If you cannot do so, then consider your choices carefully.

There are a number of common security complaints that people make, and most of them can be avoided with a little homework on your part. Make sure that you read everything carefully and know what you need and want before speaking to them to ensure that you get exactly what you want.

By: Adriana A Noton

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Are you faced with the prospect of selling your home in today’s tough real estate market? Any real estate agent will tell you certain value-added features help you sell your home faster and for more money. One of the most affordable is a home security system.

When considering whether to install a security system, many property owners are shortsighted about the benefits. Try thinking of your home from the viewpoint of a potential buyer.

Chances are there are comparable homes on the market in the buyer’s desired area. Perhaps the square footage and floor plans are identical, the appliances are similar and homes in your area are basically in the same condition.

With that in mind, wouldn’t it make the buyer look twice at your home if it was the only one featuring a combination burglar, carbon monoxide and fire alarm system? State of the art security systems, such as those offered by Honeywell, employ discreet, dependable components that will blend into any style home.

Not only will an alarm system add to the impression of safety and security to buyers, it may also help them secure lower homeowners’ insurance rates. Make sure the listing real estate agent points out that benefit when showing the home.

Let’s look at one more reason to increase the value of your home by installing a burglar and fire alarm system. At some point in the future, you may decide to lease your home to a tenant and purchase elsewhere. Another real possibility, given current real estate investing trends, is that someone else will purchase your home to be used as rental property.

Not convinced that’s happening in your area? Let’s look at two large cities’ housing trends, to give you up-to-date facts. According to HouseAlmanac.com, almost eighteen percent of the homes being sold in Houston are eventually leased to tenants. In Dallas, they report investment rental property has an even larger share of homes purchased, more than one in five in 2008!

What that means to you, as the owner of a rental home or one that may become a rental, is that you need an edge to make your property more attractive. Home security monitoring built into the rental price allows landlords to rent homes more quickly and at a higher price. In fact, Houston home security companies report one of their fastest growing markets is in condos and rental homes.

Property investors look for benefits that will give a return on their investment. Having an alarm system already in place is definitely a plus to those looking for investment property. This is especially true in urban neighborhoods or affluent suburbs with higher burglary rates.

Whether you’re planning to live in your home for years, or purchased it strictly as rental property, real estate professionals suggest you protect your investment with a home security system. Find a security monitoring firm with a great reputation and reasonable pricing and add this valuable feature to your property. It’s always a great investment.

By: Chris Robertson

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