When buying a new home for the first time, we tend to focus on issues such as interior décor, furniture and paint colors. While these things are very important to make your home special, we also need to focus on making our home safe. We’ve put together a checklist of items to consider in order to make your perfect new home secure.
Use a trusted realtor to ensure you are buying a safe home
When in the process of purchasing a home, it is important to use a trusted realtor. They have helpful information regarding the neighborhoods that they show you. Realtors are motivated to sell homes, so they will give you the best options for you in order to make a sale.
It’s advisable to use a realtor who you know or who someone you know has used. A good realtor will always be open and honest with you about the homes that they will show you. The more trustworthy a realtor is, the more likely you are to ask questions about concerns you might have.
Visit the neighborhood and pay to the attention to the conditions
It is essential to observe the community of the area you plan to buy a home in. Pay attention to things like how the neighbors interact, whether there are children playing outside or how people are engaging.
This is important because if residents seem comfortable outside their homes or inside, then the area is safe.
There are other indicators of safe neighborhoods such as how the neighborhood is maintained. Neighbors who take care of their homes are more likely to protect it and this reduces theft and burglaries.
Ensure that the home is close to other houses
Having a home that is distant from your neighbors might offer more privacy but this is a security risk. This offers intruders an advantage as your neighbors might not be able to see your home when there is a break in or when you need help.
The area where your home is situated is important. If it close to a road, it is easier to break into as burglars can break in and leave quickly before anyone notices what has happened.
Where your house is located in the street also plays a factor in how likely it is to be broken into. Houses in street corners are more likely to experience break-ins than corner lots as corner lots are much more visible.
The proximity to a police station
Homes that are close to the police station are less likely to experience break-ins. Burglars are afraid of breaking in homes close to local authorities because they are more likely to get caught. Another perk to living close to a police station is that the police department arrival time after a break-in is reduced.
Research crime rates in the area
Before you make a purchase you need to know the crime rates in the area. You can gain this information by asking the local police station or searching the crime statistics of the area on the internet. It is advisable to avoid areas with high crime rates.
Areas that have programs to deter crime rates are appeasing. If there are neighborhood watches then the residents place safety and security first which is particularly important.
Set up a security system
Home security systems are important to have when you consider the fact that homes without them are three times more likely to be broken into. When purchasing home security systems it’s important to note that there are different systems for every budget and every level of protection.
If the idea of installing your own security system sounds daunting, you can always buy a home with one already. This could however become an issue if the system is outdated. You would have to go through some work to modernize it.
Ensure that home entry points are secured
When break-ins occur, burglars tend to use the front doors or windows. Ensure that these points are properly protected.
Check that all windows and doors close easily and that they are secured. Makes sure that door locks work and inspect garage doors to see if they function properly.
Use a street light
Most burglaries tend to occur between 10am and 3pm because most people are at school or at work, however, burglars also look for opportunities to break in when they cannot be seen. Having a well-lit street prevents burglaries from occurring.
You can also use motion-sensing lighting as burglars hate being detected. This measure makes it difficult for them not to be seen.
Conclusion
Keeping your new home safe and secure doesn’t have to be a chore. By following these tips you can be have peace of mind knowing your home is protected. Identify the strategies your home needs and prioritize them so that you are not overwhelmed. Taking action early will prevent further damage from occurring.
As soon as you settle in, see the 4 Security Features That Increase Property Value.
