Buying a first home is a big milestone. As you settle into your new personal space and make it your own, one of the first things you should do is work on keeping your house safe. Unlike living in an apartment where buildings already have security, your house is now solely your responsibility to protect.

Thankfully, with a modern home security system you can protect against many security and life safety issues right from your phone. Whether your new home came with an existing security system or you’re conducting preliminary research, we’ll help you understand your options and make the right choice for your family, home, and budget.

Understand the advantages of home security systems

Preventative care is essential when it comes to home ownership. Over 500,000 burglaries occur per year and cost on average $2,600 per burglary (Policygenius). Consider looking into home monitoring systems to keep yourself, your family, and your belongings safe when you’re not around.

Home security systems have passed the days of simple burglar alarms that go off in the event of a break-in. There are now smart devices that can serve as security camera monitoring systems so you can check in at home on the go.

Not only that, many newer systems turn your house into a “smart home” where you can get alerts from your fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and other system components. There is also the option for 24/7 monitoring support. This helps bring peace of mind since it keeps your home protected and removes the responsibility of monitoring from busy homeowners.

Know your options as a first-time home owner

There are countless security/monitoring systems out there, so it can be hard to decide what type of system to go with and what type of monitoring services to add to your house.

There are generally two main types of alarm systems, professional installations or DIY systems. The most important considerations here are security levels and cost.

Professional installations have a higher cost, but they typically come with high quality equipment and are backed by years of industry expertise. Companies usually offer professional alarm monitoring, police and fire dispatch, burglar alarm systems, environmental systems and backup communications that keep your home safe around the clock.

On the other hand, DIY home security systems can be a more affordable option for homeowners on a budget. DIY systems generally offer the essentials, but don’t offer the fine-tuned customization of professionally installed systems. There is also more room for error when it comes to setup.

What if your new home already has an existing security system

If your new home already has an installed security system, you have a few options moving forward. You can either take over the existing system, switch to a different provider, or start fresh with a brand new system. All three of these options have their advantages and disadvantages that you might want to weigh.

Existing Security System

You’ll want to analyze the current system to make sure it will meet your needs. Involving a professional security company may be the best way to do this. Although the system is already installed, you must make sure the components are compatible with your desired security features. From there, you can have them test all of your systems to ensure they are working up to standards.

Transfer to New Company

You don’t need to use the existing security company if there is a system already in place. You can transfer to the company you really want to work with. This is all up to whether or not the security systems are compatible with their technology. The advantage here is that you can do your own research and decide what provider is right for you.

Get a New System

Another great option for a first time home owner is to get rid of the existing system and completely start from zero. Systems that already come with the home may be outdated, or they simply won’t meet your needs in the way that a custom system would.

For this, you’ll want to work with a trusted provider, who will listen to your needs and recommend the system that will be the best option to keep your family safe. This will also give you access to the most up to date security trends, as well as complete control over the provider.

Protecting your home doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive, it just has to be intentional. Know what you want to invest and the types of systems you want integrated into your home so that you can make sure that you and your family are safe.

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