When it comes to buying or selling a home, many clients focus on aesthetic qualities. While a fresh coat of paint or a bathroom remodel may increase the appeal of a property, these upgrades do nothing to increase safety. Security is important, particularly for those doing business from their home who are wary of armed robbers.
As Realtor, Vicki Moore of Pacifica Locals, explains, security improvements are a win-win. They can boost the value of your home while keeping your family out of harm’s way and protecting your assets.
Improve Home Security with Smart Landscaping
You know that a well-manicured lawn can increase a home’s curb appeal. Did you know, however, that the right landscaping can also help keep properties safe? Shrubbery and thorny plants around a home’s perimeter (especially under windows) can be an effective deterrent against break-ins. Additionally, trimming or removing overgrown trees and bushes can also increase your ability to see around your yard and give criminals fewer places to hide.
Whether you want to increase your home’s value or add security to a new home, consider hiring a landscaper to install these helpful yard features. You can find estimates and landscaper reviews with a quick search online.
In terms of investment, Bob Vila points out that updated and
tidy landscaping can increase property value by around 20 percent and make homes more attractive to potential buyers.
A Secure Yard Means a More Secure Home
Plants and bushes can definitely deter criminals from breaking into your home. But your best bet is to keep them out of your yard in the first place.
Security fencing around the perimeter of your
property can make potential homebuyers feel safer. So think about installing fencing before you list your home for sale. There are a variety of styles you can choose from, but it’s a good idea to keep your front yard visible to neighbors with metal or wood slats.
If you are looking to boost a home’s value even more, adding a security gate is a lucrative step too.
Most of these gated entryways are supported by stone or brick, giving properties a more luxurious appearance. However, curb appeal is not all homeowners can get with this small upgrade. Adding a gated entrance can boost home values by up to $50,000 according to Realty Times.
Better Lighting is Always a Smart Property Choice
If you are looking to sell your home, your listing agent may ask you to add more lighting to the outside of your property. In addition to making your home look more inviting, strategic outdoor lighting can also be a major security upgrade.
However, it’s important to really put some thought into lighting upgrades around your home. Lights should be placed in areas that are not well-lit by street lamps and should also only come on when triggered. This last part is important because, in addition to looking for homes that are dark, criminals also target homes where lights stay on all of the time.
Effective security lighting should appear as normal human activity to act as a real deterrent to would-be burglars and criminals.
Tech Makes Home Security Easier Than Ever
With the most recent releases in home automation, home security can be as simple as using your smartphone. Some of the top-selling security systems on the market these days are made by companies like Google, Nest, and Amazon. These devices interface with various components in and around the home. And allow users to control locks, cameras, and more with their phones or even their voice.
An added benefit of smart home security is the knowledge of not only what’s going on outside your house, but inside as well. If a door was left open, you’ll be notified via a smartphone app, your iPad or PC at work. If your child wanders toward the front door after bedtime, motion sensors are activated. You can also monitor your child’s coming and going, such as being notified at work when he gets off the bus and opens the front door at 2:45 p.m.
The point is: You’re in control.
Monitored security systems, while a more expensive option, takes the responsibility of home security off the homeowner’s shoulders. They also go beyond protecting a home from break-ins. Well-known companies like ADT and Vivint also monitor for fires and other disasters, making this a more comprehensive choice for buyers and sellers.
Before you can feel at home, you have to feel safe in your home. Looking for ways to increase the security of your home is always a smart move, whether you are buying, selling, or staying put. So, keep these tips in mind when you’re navigating the market and making updates to boost the value and protection of your property.
Author
Suzie Wilson
Interior Designer
Happierhome.net – “There’s no place like a Happier Home!”