What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home Security System

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What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home
Security System

• By
• HomeSecuritySystem411.com

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What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home
Security System
Choosing a home security system can be a daunting
decision. There are more companies offering
systems than ever before. Modern systems have a
wide range of features and options from a basic
setup to a complex system with many sophisticated
extras.

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What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home
Security System
Somebody whose home has been broken into may be
tempted to pick the first system they find,
rather than spending time learning about the
different available options however, this may not
always be the smart choice.
Do some research before purchasing a system. The
time you spend is likely to help find the right
system for your needs and may possibly save you
money at the same time. Here are some things to
look for before purchasing a home security system.

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What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home
Security System
Do You Need a Home Security System? The first
step in your research should be to determine if
you actually need a system. If youve just
undergone a traumatic home break-in, your answer
to this will be a resounding yes.
However, for many people who live in rural areas
or secure, quiet neighborhoods, the answer may
not be as clear cut. They may be on the fence
about making a decision to install a home
security system. 

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What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home
Security System
Also, if the crime rate around you is low enough,
you may not be sure a home security system is
necessary. On the other hand, a home break-in
can happen anywhere and in any neighborhood.

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What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home
Security System
All About the Money There are many low cost
systems available however, the cost will go up as
you add features. Most home security system
companies charge an upfront cost for equipment
and installation.
There will be an ongoing monthly fee for the 24
hour monitoring of your home security system. In
addition, be aware that in some instances the
maintenance may not be provided by the same
company that sold you the equipment.

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What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home
Security System
While it is usually possible to find a company
who will waive the initial installation costs,
this generally requires signing a contract
committing to stay with the company for an
extended period of time. This is normally a
lease type purchase and the initial discount is
subsidized by a larger ongoing monthly payment
and may end up costing you more in the long run.

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What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home
Security System
Be careful to choose a system that fits your
budget both in terms of the initial payment and
monthly fees. Remember that like a cell phone
contract, terminating the contract may come with
steep cancellation fees.

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What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home
Security System
Choose the Security Company Carefully Companies
come and go. It is important to choose a company
that will not vanish soon after you purchase your
home security system. Find out as much aboutthe
company that you areconsidering as you can. How
long have they been around? What is their history?

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What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home
Security System
Find customer reviews online. It is possible to
get a good general idea of a companys reputation
by reading what customers have to say about it.
Does the company have a problem keeping its
promises? Are their products worth the price?
How is their customer service? How do they
handle complaints?

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What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home
Security System
Make Sure the System Works Well in Your Area Most
types of home security system will work over a
hard wired phone line. This is convenient,
because most people have a phone. This kind of
system is more vulnerable to attack because a
burglar can cut the phone line where it enters
the home thus the security system will be unable
to dial the emergency response number.

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What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home
Security System
If the alert system was properly installed, it
will still sound an audible alarm and hopefully
alert neighbors and scare the would be burglar
off. As an alternative, there are now home
security system varieties that can work over a
cell network, which is not so easy to circumvent
as long as signal strength is not a problem.

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What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home
Security System
If having cell network access is important to
you, find a company that is compatible with the
cell network that works best in your area and be
sure the signal is strong and you test the system
regularly to ensure signal strength.

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What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home
Security System
How Many Areas Do You Want Protected? Go through
your home and decide which areas you need to be
protected, making sure to count window and door
sensors and motion detectors. Often there will
be a set number of sensors included in the
installation price.

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What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home
Security System
Each additional sensor will raise the cost of
your installation, and possibly your monthly
charges as well. Choose a home security system
that allows for at least the number of sensors
you need or be prepared to pay the extra fees.

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What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home
Security System
What Kind of Monitoring Does the System Do? A
home security system will no longer only protect
against burglary. Many may include fire, smoke
and carbon monoxide detectors as well. These
services may involve additional charges, both for
equipment and monitoring.

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What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home
Security System
How Advanced Do You Want Your Home Security
System To Be? Most systems include remote
monitoring of alarms. Many have two-way audio so
that the monitoring company can contact you or
the invader via the home security system.

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What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home
Security System
Newer systems have far more advanced options such
as video cameras or digital locking systems. You
will need to decide which options will fit your
needs. As with all else, most of this equipment
is not included in the usual promotional packages
and normally will cost extra.

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What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home
Security System
How Much Control Will You Have Over Your
System? Some home security system models offer
you remote access to your unit. You can arm or
disarm, view video cameras and lock or unlock
doors. Some systems can be accessed over the
Internet or by mobile applications for
smartphones, making it possible to adjust
settings from any place at any time.
This would be handy if, for example, you wanted
to allow someone access to water the plants when
youre on vacation, but dont want to give them
the code for your system.

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What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home
Security System
What Extra Features Do You Want Added to Your
System? Some companies are taking advantage of
the technology in a home security system to make
advances in house automation. If you can control
your door locks online, why not add the
capability to turn on your lights or start the
coffee pot?
Small appliance and light automation is becoming
a popular extra feature in home security
packages. If you want this, make sure the
company you are considering offers it. If not,
make sure you arent being charged extra for this
feature.

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What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home
Security System
A home security system may have the ability to
page you, not only when alarms are tripped, but
also when the home security system is armed or
disarmed, for example. Some systems let you
assign special codes to different individuals.
You can find out when your partner leaves for
work, when the kids arrive home from school or if
you have a cleaning lady coming over when you are
not home.

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What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home
Security System
Some systems can also program a duress code.
This is meant for a hostage situation, when a
person is forced to disarm the home security
system. Some systems include a code which will
make it appear that the alarm has been disarmed,
while silently sending a panic call to the police.

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What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home
Security System
Medical alert features may give peace of mind to
older people or those living alone. The medical
alert call for help can easily be activated by a
pendant or wristband being worn by the person.
As with all systems, be sure to test it on a
regular basis to be sure everything is working as
it should.

• HomeSecuritySystem411.com

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What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home
Security System
There is a lot to think about before purchasing a
home security system. Doing a little planning
and research can make the choices easier and less
overwhelming. It is a good idea to decide how
much you are willing to spend, then you can
choose the company and package that best fits
both your budget and your needs.

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What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Home
Security System
Thank You

• By
• HomeSecuritySystem411.com