Honest Realestate Agent

Posts Tagged ‘home security’

According to the FBI, a home invasion occurs in the US every 15 seconds.  If you don’t want to become another statistic, there are several things you can do to discourage burglars and to keep your home and belongings safe.

1.  Lock and secure your doors and windows
Part of your daily home security routine should be to always make sure that all doors and windows are locked and that there are no entrances that could offer an intruder the opportunity to get into your home.  Insure that each door has a deadbolt lock with a one inch throw and a reinforced strike plate. Windows should be constructed of laminated glass, and ground level windows need strong locks. 

2.  Secure sliding glass doors
Each sliding glass door in your house should have a wooden dowel or stick in the door’s track to prevent an unauthorized entry.  Installing vertical bolts will also prevent a burglar from forcing the door open.

3.  Secure your garage
Your garage is just like an external door. Install a dead bolt on your door and keep your car locked and alarmed. If you have a newly constructed home, consider changing your factory-set door opener code.  Burglars have access to these codes and will use common brands of remote openers, looking for a garage door that will open.  

4.  Use outdoor and indoor lighting to your advantage
Timed lighting inside and outside the home is an important security measure.  To create an appearance of constant activity, use light-timers inside the home. Motion sensor lighting installed near pathways, doorways and the driveway is also an effective way to scare off an intruder. Always keep the perimeter of your house well lighted with security lights that allow you to see at least 100 feet in front of you.

5.  Avoid telltale pileups
If you are going to be away for an extended period of time, arrange to have your newspapers and mail put on hold.  If you are expecting one or more packages, have a neighbor hold those packages for you until you return. Nothing shouts “This house is empty” more than having a pile of newspapers and mail stacked in front of your door. 

6.  Keep house keys in a safe place
Never hide your house key on the ledge of a door in a flowerpot or under the doormat. These are one of the first places a burglar will look.  Instead give your house key to a trusted neighbor for an emergency or to check on your house regularly when you are away.

7.  Keep shades and blinds in their normal position
Close enough blinds so a burglar can’t see what is inside, while keeping a few blinds open to make it appear as if someone is home. If all the blinds are closed, this is an obvious indication to a burglar of an empty house. 

8.  Don’t announce you are going to be gone
Social networking sites give a false sense of security, in which people feel free to let the world know their travel plans.  This is just an open invitation for a burglar to rob your home. To keep your home secure, don’t tell people on websites such as Facebook or even on voicemail when you will be on vacation.

9.  Evaluate your landscaping
Prune back shrubbery and keep it away from entrances and walkways so that a burglar does not have a place to hide. Place a thorny plant, such as a rose bush or cacti under a window to slow down a thief. Also, examine tall trees near second-story windows and make sure intruders can’t use them as ladders.

10.  Have a home alarm system installed and monitored
One of the biggest deterrents to a home invasion is having a home alarm system.  Whether it’s wired or wireless, a monitored home security system reduces home burglaries by up to 66 percent.

When looking to buy a house, the location of the house is very important.  Most people want to buy a home in a decent neighborhood, as they have the intention to remain at their home for many years to come.If someone is planning to buy a home strictly for the resale value, then the location will prove to be even more important.  The resale factor of a home is very dependant on the location, simply because someone wouldn't want to buy a home that wasn't in a decent neighborhood.

When buying a home, the general rule of thumb is to purchase a home that will appeal to a large number of potential buyers.  To do this, you'll need to look at the location of the home.  The community is very important, especially in terms of home security.  If you buy a home in a neighborhood that is well known for security problem you’ll more than likely have difficulty when you try to sale.Bad neighborhoods generally spark little to no interest.  These days, people want to buy homes in the best possible neighborhoods that they can afford.

When buying your home, you should always narrow the choices down a few of the best cities around you.  You’ll want to buy your home in a community that has a very stable economy and plenty of commercial and business districts.  This way, when you decide to sell your house, you can rest assured that your house is in a good selling area.  You should also look at the crime statistics for the area as well. If the crime rate is high, you should look into another area.

You should also look into the local school system as well.  Even though you may not have kids now, you should always think about the future.  A home that is within a short distance to shopping centers and quality schools are always easy to sale. If you buy a home that is in a bad neighborhood and has poor schools, you’ll quickly regret that decision.  If you can’t afford to purchase a home that is in a good location, you should work on your credit and save up some money until you are able to purchase a home that is in a desirable location.

Although the size of a home is important, the location is one of the most important aspects to buying a home.The location is important for those living in the home as well as the resale value.  A home that is in a desirable location is always easy to sale, for the simple fact that the location speaks for itself.  If you’re been thinking about buying a home for the resale value ?you should always make sure that you pay close attention to the location.