Building a brand-new home from the ground up can be an exciting adventure. New builds offer the opportunity to have exactly what you want in a home. But don’t take security for granted. Newly built homes are not inherently more secure just because they are new. Age has very little to do with security.
Security is more an issue of understanding a property’s weaknesses and then taking corrective action, according to the experts at Vivint Home Security. Corrective action could mean installing a home security system complete with video surveillance. But it could also mean installing heavy-duty locks, installing safety glass in the basement windows, modifying the landscaping, and even changing the way you use social media.
Even a brand-new home with an electronic home security system is not necessarily safer than an older home with a comparable system, especially if the homeowner is careless about other security-related matters.
New Home Misconceptions
Vivint was curious to know what consumers thought about new homes from a security standpoint. So they surveyed more than 1,000 consumers and then compared the results against FBI crime data. What they learned was rather surprising. For example:
- 53% of new build owners assume their properties are secure just because they are new.
- 39% of new build owners make no home security investments.
- 51% don’t make those investments because they feel they are safe enough.
Gen Z home buyers are most likely to assume new builds are inherently safer. Gen X and millennial buyers are less likely. Regardless, assuming that a new build is inherently safer could simply be the result of the general feeling that new products are always better than their older counterparts.
Build With Security in Mind
Given Vivint’s findings, it would seem to make more sense to build with security in mind. Builders could take that responsibility, encouraging buyers to incorporate as many security features as possible. But buyers could also take the lead. They could insist that their builders do certain things to make their homes more secure.
Building with security in mind incorporates the same strategies as upgrading a home after the fact. The builder and buyer go through plans with the goal of identifying weaknesses. Then those weaknesses are addressed according to resources and budget.
The most fundamental security options would include heavy duty doors and double-paced windows. Purpose-built security locks on both are also appropriate. A smart garage door controller along with a security door to protect access to the house would have to be considered as well.
Everything From Landscaping to Lighting
Making a new build more secure means looking at everything from landscaping to lighting. The idea is to make it as difficult as possible for someone to commit burglary or another property crime. New homes should be designed to provide minimal cover for burglars. Landscaping should not obstruct the view of the home.
Inside, certain security features can be built in. For example, installing a wall or floor safe for the family’s valuables should be easy enough to do without breaking the budget. For those buyers who could afford it, constructing a safe room in the event of unauthorized entry is worth considering.
Security Is a Choice
In the end, security is a choice. New homes can be made more secure during the building process. They can be beefed up years after they are built. One thing is for sure: a new build isn’t inherently more secure just because it’s new. That is not how security works. Age has nothing to do with how secure a home is.
