×

Warning

JUser: :_load: Unable to load user with ID: 724990

Technology That Keeps Your Investment Property Safe

Written by Posted On Wednesday, 05 April 2017 08:40

Decades ago, protecting your investment property meant installing a strong door lock, maybe asking a sharp-eyed neighbor to keep tabs on things when the premises are unoccupied and hoping for the best. Today, there are plenty of high-tech gadgets that can boost security in surprising and impressive ways. Keep reading to learn about some of them.

Home Sensor Kits

Maybe your own family inhabits the investment property for a few months out of the year. Perhaps it’s occupied by a tenant for six months and stands vacant the rest of the time during a typical year. When the property is empty, you need to be especially vigilant about monitoring for unauthorized entries. One way you can do that is by installing a home sensor kit.

Some options on the market can tell if doors or windows are open and learn the location of people or pets inside the home. Although you can buy home sensor kits without cameras, manufacturers may give you the choice of adding them if desired. Even better, you can stay aware of what’s going on in your investment home from afar by syncing the sensor system to an accompanying smartphone app.

Smart Locks

If you’re like a lot of people, you might hide spare keys under flowerpots and doormats. That way, if a caretaker or other individual needs to get inside, they can simply go to the hiding place you’ve told them about, retrieve the key and gain entry.

But research from a British insurance company shows flowerpots and doormats are two of the most common places to stash keys. If news outlets are reporting that insight, don’t you think burglars know it, too?

Even though that data was specific to a British market, think about the places you've either hidden keys or retrieved them from. There's a good chance you've lifted up a pot of flowers or swept your hand under a welcome mat, because some hiding places seem nearly universal.

That’s why it’s a good idea to consider installing smart locks on your investment home. Features vary depending on the manufacturer you go with, but some options work with your smartphone’s Bluetooth connection to open doors as you approach them. There are others that respond to voice commands.

The leading smart locks allow you to grant temporary access to multiple people, which means there’s no need to keep hiding physical keys in places where thieves are likely to find them. Also, you can give and take away access as needed, which certainly isn’t as easy to do with traditional keys.

Video monitoring system

Video Monitoring Systems

Besides monitoring activity surrounding your investment home and access into it, you also need to think about how to send potential intruders a clear message that the investment home is well-secured, even if there’s not a person in sight. The thing is, even if people aren’t visible, they’re probably still watching. That’s particularly true if you take steps to deter theft by using a video monitoring system.

There are many reasons why video cameras can make criminals think twice before trying to break into or otherwise harm your investment home. Some camera styles are purposefully obvious, since, if people know they're being watched and recorded, they may decide the risk is too great and back out of their plans. It’s also possible for people to use video monitoring footage in court to bring charges against offenders.

Some burglars may also realize they look so distinctive there’s no way they could wriggle out of a conviction if they’re caught on film. And speaking of appearances, you can also make your investment home look thoroughly protected by using prominently placed signs that make it clear there are security cameras in operation.

Home Automation Systems

People commonly leave the lights on or do other things to give the impression people are home, especially when they're out of town. Now, it's easier than ever to make it seem like there are people inside your investment home — plus get other information about the abode — thanks to high-tech home automation systems.

In addition to turning on lights and locking doors from a distance just by tapping an app button on your smartphone, you can get alerts about rapid temperature changes. They might indicate there’s a fire.

You may also set up the system so you receive text messages when someone opens a door. That way, if you know a technician was scheduled to come into the investment home to take care of a repair at 1:30, but someone’s opening the door to what should be an empty home at 5 p.m., you’d probably suspect there’s a problem and decide to get someone to investigate.

As you can see from this overview of current security technologies, you have plenty of choices when it comes to the best ways to keep your investment home safe from harm. That means it's more likely to be a profitable venture and you'll enjoy greater peace-of-mind even if you're thousands of miles away from the property.

Rate this item
(0 votes)
Megan Wild

Hey there! I'm Megan, I'm a home improvement writer, blogger, and real estate investor and observer. Check out my posts for housing trends and latest happenings in U.S. and Pennsylvania!

www.yourwildhome.com

Agent Resource

Limited time offer - 50% off - click here

Realty Times

From buying and selling advice for consumers to money-making tips for Agents, our content, updated daily, has made Realty Times® a must-read, and see, for anyone involved in Real Estate.