When on the hunt for your dream home, there are a few security features you should pay attention to. We’ve outlined the key points below:
What should a house hunter know about locks?
I took this picture in a condo building. It was the kind of building with one hall and a front and back stairwell that led outside. There was an elevator in the middle of the row of units.
My client was a single woman.
As we got out of the elevator, I mentioned that units near the back exit door at the end of the row are more attractive to burglars. As we walked down the back stairs, we came upon this door.
That is a deadbolt lock. They have a longer, rectangular metal piece holding the door to the door jam. Someone had attempted entry. If that crowbarred lock had not been a deadbolt, the burglar would have entered.
A triangular metal piece (latch bolt) goes into the door jam in a typical knob-mounted lock. It is easier to open with a crowbar (or credit card).
The lesson of this is to be mindful of general safety. If you are looking at a condo or house where a burglar can easily come in and out unnoticed, your locks need to be more secure. Upgrading your locks is fairly simple unless you are in a large association where a management company makes those changes.
It is a good idea to install deadbolts on all exterior doors. One note is that the inside of your deadbolt should have a latch rather than using a key. In case of fire, you could be in danger while you are looking for the key to get out.
What should a house hunter know about alarms?
Some houses and condos have hard-wired security systems. Some will alarm when doors and windows are opened. Some have motion detectors that alarm if there is movement in the house. When the alarm sounds, the owner is notified. If the owner doesn’t respond, the police are called. Since hard-wired systems are realty (part of the house that will stay), buyers should take note of their presence.
Most of these come with a subscription for a monthly plan that monitors the alarm. If you don’t want to buy this subscription, some of the hardware could continue to alarm when doors or windows are opened, without the owner getting notified. Some do not sound without a subscription. Some alarm every day to remind you that your subscription has lapsed. Gee, thanks.
In recent years, hardware that is not wired has become common. The seller can take part in that system since it is not reality. The seller can take the plugged-in components with them when they go but should leave mounted motion detectors and door and window contacts. If you want a working system when you move in, you need to ask for it at the point of offer.
You can purchase your own kit and start fresh, too. That will allow you to alarm your house the way that works best for you. The notification can go directly to your cell phone or to a professional monitoring service.
What should house hunters know about security cameras?
Cameras are allowed in Massachusetts, but not audio recording without two-party consent. Other states have different laws about this. Many people have cameras on their front porches to see who is at the door and to watch people steal packages from the porch. Some have cameras inside, too.
Cameras outside rarely record sound, but some might illegally. In terms of cameras in housing that you are looking at, assume the worst. It is possible that a camera or other listening device (like Alexa) are listening to your conversations with us.
In terms of your purchase, note the locations of mounted cameras. If you want them to remain, they should be added to an offer on the house. If cameras remain, we also need to get information on how to connect them to a system so they are useful to you.
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