Blog with MAE Capital

How Home Security Influences Putting a House on the Market

May 4th, 2021 9:48 AM by Gregg Mower

When it comes to creature comforts, little ranks higher than feeling safe. There are many ways we work toward creating a living environment that promotes security, and improved security often means higher home values and lower home insurance premiums. From MAE Capital Mortgage Inc., here are some of the key security solutions for homeowners and what you need to consider when listing a home.  

 

Traditional Basics

 

We all use doors and locks to secure our homes, but your choices can impact how truly safe your household is. As Safewise explains, most burglars enter homes right through the front door, so selecting a secure door is paramount. Steel doors are the most economical, and there are hardwood choices that are very attractive. Avoid sidelight windows for optimal security, or consider installing security film to add peace of mind.

 

When it comes to locks, certain kinds of deadbolts tend to be more resistant to break-ins than others, and you can reinforce entryway doors and locks to bolster security. Lighting can also play a key role in home security. Think in terms of exterior lights that can reduce hiding spots for criminals, motion-activated versions, and interior lights on timers.

 

Rethink Your Landscaping

 

When viewing your home from the exterior, try to do so in the mindset of a burglar. Look for nooks and crannies that would shield people from being viewed by passersby. Overgrown landscaping close to your house provides cover for would-be thieves, so SFGate points out that you should take steps to shear shrubbery back to no more than two feet tall. At the same time, a tall, protective barrier around the perimeter of your property can effectively keep scoundrels out, especially if you choose greenery sporting spikes and thorns. Installing a shrub barrier can be a significant undertaking, so consider hiring a pro to do it for you. With the right tools and equipment in hand, they can knock it out quickly and save you the backbreaking work. 

 

Smart Home Locks, Doorbells, and Cameras

 

If variety is the spice in life, smart locks and doorbells -- all part of smart home security -- offer ample seasoning to pick from. As opposed to conventional security systems that require you to turn it on or off every time to enter or exit your house, a smart system is on 24/7, negating the need to remember to arm it every time you leave home. What’s more, some smart systems have motion sensors that trigger emergency notifications if something seems suspicious. 

 

Smart home security has come a long way since conventional security. It’s all now very intuitive; in addition to tracking main entry points into the home, a smart system can track behaviors and alert you via text. One example is if a thief cuts your phone line (a typical first task before breaking in), your smart system can send you an alert if it ever loses the connection.

 

Smart locks alone offer options ranging from notifying you when someone arrives at your home to special codes for each user, voice activation, temporary codes for guests — and everything in between. You can often make changes to settings from your smartphone, and some offer keyless touchpads in case you lock your keys or your phone. Smart doorbells offer a live feed straight to your phone so you can see in real-time who is at your door. Some record the activity for your review, while others offer interaction with the visitor.  Smart home security cameras offer a number of interesting features as well, such as voice activation, facial recognition, cloud storage, and emergency services monitoring.

 

Selling Your Property

 

With the advent of technological security systems, selling a well-reinforced property is slightly more complicated, but it’s a worthwhile investment. Security systems can catch a prospective buyer’s eye, and at the same time, being recorded can be off-putting to some house hunters.  One suggestion is to hang a notification at your entryway indicating that a system is installed and whether it’s in use at the time of a showing. When your property does sell, you should ensure all smart home devices are returned to factory settings and notify technical support there is a change of ownership. If you intend to remove the devices when you move out, you should discuss the situation in detail with the homebuyer in case they intend to replace some or all of the gadgets. Be forewarned, however, that it may be up to you to install adequate replacements for certain items, so you should investigate your responsibilities.

 

Security means peace of mind for you and your loved ones, and it can also influence the sale of your home. Think about what will be attractive to house hunters and what will put your mind at ease while boosting your home value. With a well-thought-out plan, you can rest easy.  

 

Are you ready to buy a home? Contact MAE Capital today at 916-672-6130.

The article was written by  Natalie Jones


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MAE Capital Real Estate and Loan

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