Currently, seventeen percent of American homes have a security system. Do you need one? That?s a difficult questions. You must should consider your reasons for wanting one versus the initial cost of installation and ongoing monthly monitoring fees.

Some of the obvious reasons for wanting one is the fear of waking up to find an intruder invading your space. Wanting to feel more secure in your environment is another important reason.

While consider installing a system, it would be worth the effort to check out other alternatives. There are many steps you can take to prevent an intrusion in your home such as:

1. Close the garage door at all times.

2. Lock the garage door behind yourself.

3. Check your windows for security.

4. Add dowels or a bar on the bottom track of your sliding Sliding glass doors.

5. Use a timer to vary the on/off times of lights when you are out.

6. Ask your neighbors to keep an eye on your property when you are gone.

7. Stop the mail when you are away.

8. Inform the police that you are out of town.

9. consider owning a dog.

In the event you decide to proceed with a purchase, ask questions. Doing your due diligence in advance of your signing a contract will save you many hours of stress later. The company you chose should give you customer referrals, have a license to operate in your area, give you a written contract with prices, monitoring charges, lists of the equipment to be installed and provide education to you in the use of their system.

It is important you understand everything you will be receiving, what the operation and guarantees are on the equipment and installation. Can you upgrade the system in the future if need be. Check with your local Better Business Bureau before you sign a contract.

Check with your friends and neighbors to see if they have an alarm system. Do they recommend the company the use? Ask as many questions as you can think of before proceeding. You will increase the value of your real estate by adding this feature if your chose wisely.

Nan is an Accountant and Real Estate Professional with an information and research site online RealEstateLady and a Business Writer with a blog BusinessTips

Back to Article Index