There are so many good reasons to consider getting a home alarm system. Perhaps you’ve been burglarized or vandalized in the past. Or you have a friend or family member who has gone through the experience. Maybe you’ve seen increasing property crime rates in your area and just want to be proactive. There are also other more surprising reasons to invest in a home alarm system. For instance, it may save you money. You may also be asking, “Does an alarm system add value to a home?”
In short, the answer is very likely yes. In fact, many real estate agents and homebuyers look for or even expect homes to be equipped with a home security system before committing to buy. Some studies also suggest installing a home alarm system can increase your home’s selling price.
This is true whether you’re selling to people who travel frequently or to families looking for the convenience and added safety of pre-installed cameras, motion sensors, smoke detectors, smart locks, etc.
How Much Does an Alarm System Add Value to a Home?
There’s no doubt that making sure your bathrooms and kitchen are modernized, your flooring is in good condition, and your home is decluttered will impact your home value. But in a tight selling market, every increase in value can be worth extra cash to your home price.
That said, there’s no hard research demonstrating how much value a home alarm system adds. And the increase in value can depend on who your buyer is as well as your location. But there are indications that alarm systems do indeed increase the value of a home.
One survey, for instance, found that people are willing to spend more money on homes that have motion lighting, alarms, keyless entry, and smart locks installed—increasing the home’s value by up to $10,000.
One of the most desired features for added security is motion sensor lighting near the driveway and entryways. These alone can alert you when someone is approaching the home. Lighting can also deter intruders. Plus, it helps homeowners when getting home after dark by allowing them to see what’s around them without fumbling for light switches. In other words, they add convenience and security for you now and for future potential homebuyers.
Does a Home Security System Increase Property Value?
Your home’s value isn’t only important when selling. It also matters when you’re purchasing homeowner’s insurance or when having your home assessed, perhaps before refinancing. Often, having a home security system can help decrease the cost of your liability coverage, as this insurance protects you if your home is broken into from loss, damage, or even legal fees.
In addition to providing peace of mind, the right home security system can also help protect against smoke, fire, flood, or other environmental damage and even help alert you to elevated levels of CO2 to protect you, your family, and your pets. We can all agree that that type of protection is absolutely priceless, whether it impacts your property value or not.
Realtors have noted that spending a lot of money to upgrade to a high-end smart security system may not always provide the hoped-for return on investment. Fortunately, there are affordable home alarm systems that aren’t nearly as expensive as you may expect, depending on the type of system installed.
For instance, you can install a smart system that you monitor yourself, which can cost significantly less than traditional services. Yet even traditional services often make financial sense, even if you’re like most people and are arming your home with a security system in the hopes it will never be needed.
Additional Benefits of Home Security Systems
In addition to potentially increasing the value of your home, there are other great reasons to ensure your home is protected with a security system. For instance, home security has been shown to:
- Lower neighborhood crime, especially if several people in the neighborhood have systems. Home security systems often deter burglars, and that deterrent can help protect your home and those around you. Even if your home is broken into, if you have a security system, burglars are likely to want to get in and out quickly, which often results in taking fewer items.
- Decrease homeowner’s insurance with discounts of up to 20%, which can save you hundreds of dollars per year.
- Provide added convenience from turning on lights before you get home to the ability to check in on your home via the internet no matter where you are in the world. Plus, you can easily see when a package has been delivered or let friends and family into the home even if you aren’t there.
- Help cut energy costs by pairing with lights and thermostats to keep your home comfortable while you’re there and decrease energy use when you’re away.
- Most importantly, they can protect your peace of mind as well as your possessions.
Unfortunately, there is no 100% foolproof security system. But even affordable systems can help deter theft, promote overall safety from fire or other environmental disasters, offer convenient features (such as improved lighting and smart locks), decrease costs of home ownership, and even promote property values.
An AG Home Alarms monitored systemwill keep you feeling secure and protect your assets and could help increase your home value as well! Check out our packages and call now for a free quote at 1-855-518-4458 and talk with an expert about which security system makes the most sense for your home now and if you are considering selling in the future.