Make home security evaluation part of the home buying checklist

When searching for a new home, location, size, and price are key considerations – but security should be just as important. Before making a final decision, prospective buyers should conduct a thorough security evaluation, assessing both existing security features and potential risks. Identifying vulnerabilities before signing on the dotted line can save homeowners time, money, and stress in the long run.

For most South Africans, home security is a non-negotiable priority, whether the house is free standing or part of a gated community or complex.

“No home is entirely immune to break-ins or theft,” says Damian Judge, Sales and Marketing Executive at Trellidor. “Assessing security before purchasing a property can help homeowners avoid costly retrofits and unexpected vulnerabilities.”

Once you have established that a house suits your needs and budget – it has the right number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the kitchen can accommodate your culinary skills and entertaining schedule, there’s a garden for children and pets, plus a pool and off-street parking, it’s time to conduct a security evaluation. Look beyond aesthetics and assess the security measures already in place.

“Retro-fitting shutters and burglar bars can be expensive and may even require some structural alterations to accommodate them, so if there is nothing already in place, you will need to add security installations to your budget,” says Judge. “Alternatively, if security isn’t up to scratch, negotiate on the selling price based on the cost to you of mitigating any potential security risk to you and your family.”

Start your security evaluation by taking a walk through the house and examining doors and windows to assess the vulnerability of access points. If windows are accessible from the ground, are they protected by burglar bars or similar barriers? If they are, have they been properly installed and maintained? Are they well anchored, not fixed into soft wooden frames, and are they free of rust and corrosion that could weaken them? Ensure that all locking mechanisms are working and that the current owners have keys to all windows, doors and shutters that open. Additionally, sliding doors are a common security weak point – if the house has sliding doors, check whether they have reinforced locks or security bars to prevent forced entry.

Gates and fencing matter with regards to a property’s visibility from the street and its exposure to passers-by. Is the house’s perimeter adequately protected with a wall or fence that will deter intruders? Keep in mind that criminals often target homes with high, solid walls because they block visibility from neighbours. A combination of fencing and visibility, such as palisade fencing with an electric fence, can offer better security.

“Neighbourhood watches and local security companies are a good source of information around crime trends in the suburb, which you should research before signing your purchase agreement,” recommends Judge.

Whilst you’re checking the perimeter of the house, look for blind spots; whether the house is adjacent to any disused land, parks or spruits which provide easy access or escape routes for criminals. If there are no external beams, outside lights or security cameras, ask a security company to quote, but remember to take the costs versus the seller’s asking price into consideration.

“In the event that a property’s wall is breached, the built-in security measures in the house become the last line of defence against criminals, and ensuring that you and your family can enjoy your new home with peace of mind is critical,” says Judge.  A well-secured home should have multiple layers of protection, making it difficult for intruders to move through the property undetected. These features should be strategically placed based on the layout and risk areas of the home. Expanding security gates, fixed burglar guards, louvre shutters, and mesh screens provide essential barriers for doors and windows, reducing entry points for criminals. By incorporating layered security measures, homeowners can create multiple obstacles for intruders, increasing the likelihood of detection and response before any real damage occurs.

Before committing to a purchase, consider a professional security assessment to identify potential vulnerabilities and ensure your home has the right protective measures in place. “Suitability and aesthetics as well as strength all play a role in the selection of a security product or installation,” says Judge whose company offers a no obligation consultation to assess the level and effectiveness of security installations of any home you might consider buying.

Your dream home is not a dream home if it doesn’t offer both comfort and security. Prioritising safety during the house-hunting process ensures you make an informed decision, rather than being swayed by aesthetic features like a sparkling pool or spacious built-in cupboards – because none of these will keep you safe at night.

Ends.