Security Alarms for Vacation Homes

Summer’s only half-way through, and many of us are still looking forward to vacations. If you've dreamed of owning a vacation home, now might be a great time to buy. Although we’re seeing a revival in the real estate market, with interest rates and home prices on the rise, there are still deals out there. When the market bottomed out in the fall of 2011, vacation homes were the hardest hit, and many went into foreclosure, keeping prices low. This segment of the market will recover as well, but more slowly. For now, it’s still a buyer’s market.

Once you get a great deal on the vacation home you've always wanted, how do you keep it secure? Nothing can ruin that carefree vacation spirit faster than burglary, vandalism or disaster – such as a fire. The same concern affects anyone on vacation who leaves their home untended. Vacation homes are even more vulnerable, because they’re unoccupied more often.

Interactive Security Alarms: For Peace of Mind

Whether you’re leaving home for vacation, or returning home after a relaxing stay at your summer cottage, you want to know your property is safe. Security alarm systems are a logical, affordable solution. The best home security is interactive, letting you check your home’s status anytime, from anywhere.

“Interactive” has become a common word in the security alarm business, but what does it mean? Interactive technology enables you to communicate with your home alarm system, and receive information in return. Not only will you be notified if there’s a problem at home, you can also check on your house anytime you want, and learn what’s going on there.

Mobile Apps and Instant Alerts

The internet plays a major role in today’s security alarm systems. An alarm system customer can contact and control their system using any device that connects to the internet. The best home security companies offer free mobile apps, turning a customer’s smartphone or tablet into an auxiliary alarm system control. Access is maintained through a password-controlled online portal. The portal stores data on system use, making records of all arming, disarming and security sensor activity and providing specifics such as who disarmed the system, or where the security breach occurred.

Can’t remember if you armed your alarm system when you left home this morning? Just look it up. If you forgot, you can arm it remotely. Or you can program in a new access code for a friend or relative, so they can access your home without setting off the alarm.

Don’t think, however, that you have to constantly monitor your home. There’s a team of professionals doing that for you, 24/7. The system will also send you an alert any time there’s activity you should know about – such as unauthorized entry, or the presence of potentially hazardous elements (i.e. smoke, carbon monoxide or water). You’ll receive these alerts immediately, via text or email. This kind of awareness lets you take immediate action when necessary. The rest of the time, enjoy a stress-free vacation, knowing your home is safe.

Home Video Monitoring

Many customers consider video monitoring to be the best feature of their home security alarm system. Security cameras integrate easily with today’s top interactive systems.

Let’s say you’re on vacation and a window breaks at home. Your security system will send you an instant alert, and let you know which window broke. You can immediately log into your security portal, using your laptop or smartphone, and see if anyone’s in the house, viewing the live video feed.

Your monitoring team will be contacting you at the same time. If a burglary is in process, they’ll dispatch the police. However, if you see that a falling branch accidentally struck the window, you can inform the monitoring team that no police are required. Then phone a friend to see if they can lend assistance until you return.

Video monitoring is particularly useful for vacation home owners. You can position a security camera to view the driveway or backyard, as well as the interior of the home. The system will alert you before any troublemaker manages to reach your door. The best alarm systems will automatically record a clip anytime something triggers a security sensor at the home.

If you happen to vacation without your children or pets, it’s also fun and comforting to look in on them via video while you’re away.

Home Automation

Home automation is another great security feature for vacation homes, or for your primary residence, anytime you’re away. With automation capabilities integrated into your alarm system, you can control your lighting, thermostats, door locks, etc. Turn on the lights or change your heat settings anytime, regardless of where you are. With this kind of control, you can save on utility costs while improving security and ensuring against disasters such as frozen pipes. And if you’re heading out to the beach house for the Labor Day weekend, use your smartphone to turn on the AC, half an hour before you arrive. The home will be cool and welcoming when you walk in.

Hopefully you have the opportunity to take a vacation this summer, or perhaps even to purchase the vacation get-away property of your dreams. Keep your dreams from turning into nightmares by protecting your homes with security alarm systems. Safeguard your peace of mind as well, by choosing an advanced system that gives you the advantage of interactivity. FrontPoint offers arguably the best interactive security features on the market, with free mobile apps, instant alerts, video monitoring and home automation, as well as the safety and simplicity of 100% wireless, 100% cellular alarm systems.