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We all want to feel safe in our home and want that same peace of mind when we leave our home unattended. There are many smart security systems available to help protect your home and monitor it from wherever you may be.

Since there are so many options, it can be a bit overwhelming to find one that is just right for your home. PC Magazine just released its list of best smart home security systems of 2017. Start with your budget for the system. There are systems that need to be professional installed, such as ADT Pulse and Vivint Smart Home. There are also systems which can be installed on your own, such as SimpliSafe and Protect America.  Installing a system on your own will save on installation fees.

A basic do-it-yourself kit should contain a couple of door and window sensors, a motion detector and a wireless hub to connect all sensors to your wi-fi network. You can add more items such as water sensors, smoke detectors, door locks, garage door openers and surveillance cameras.

With a smartphone app, you can arm and disarm your system, receive notifications when an alarm is triggered and create rules, like having the video start to record when a sensor is tripped. Many also allow you to view live video of your home when you have a camera installed.

Another factor to consider is if you would like to pay a monthly fee to have your home monitored professionally or if you will monitor it yourself. When paying for monitoring, the company will alert your local fire and police departments when an alarm is triggered. If you self monitor, you would call authorities on your own.

An alternative to an all out security system is to only install a security camera. Built in sensors track motion and send push notifications to your phone when motion is detected. Adding any type of security feature to your home will help give you a feeling of protection when you can’t be there.

Whether you are looking to buy or sell a home in Northern Virginia, we are always here to help! If you are unsure of your home’s value or if you are thinking about buying or selling, contact Jason at 703-298-7037 or SandersNoVA@gmail.com.