Home Security (Austin: best neighborhoods, sales, house)

[stomp48603]

Since I relocated to Austin in August I have noticed that many homes have security systems installed in them. Or at the very least they have yard signs to deter would be burglars. Is there a great need for these security systems? In Michigan where I relocated from there didn't seem to be as many homes with these. How many of you folks have these and have they ever came in handy?

[tashina]

I have one and I like it. Wouldn't live without it now. I keep the chime on so no one can break into the house quietly and creep up on me. I also have a panic button which makes me feel better at night if I'm home alone. I'm not really scared of people breaking in, I'm scared of what they would do with me if they had an hour or two to do it. With the panic button next to me, I know that one push of the button and the cops will be there quick. Also, if you leave and set the alarm and then come home later there will be a "trouble light" on if there was any activity on the system while you were gone. So there's no need if coming home alone to check closets or windows - you know no one has been inside.

I live in a good neighborhood, but even the best neighborhoods have break-ins. I just like to be prepared. We have not had a problem requiring the alarm company to respond.

[Trainwreck20]

Many, many home alarms are not hooked up to a phone line but do make an audible alarm if activated. The alarm companies give discounts if you put the sign up in your yard....

[jaycee143]

I just signed up for home alarm and seems like almost everyone on the block has an alarm. I got my house broken in after I had it built. They left the house in fair shape and didn't damaged much. I was very fortunate but I will not let it happen again. I work all day and coming home to a dark house without knowing if anyone is in there waiting for me or follow me in. I have the key fob with the panic button as well and I think it's an excellent feature. Invest in the alarm and you will never leave home or come home thinking about if your house got broken into or not.

[GANKS]

we got the sales pitch for monitoring our house that came with a system in it. $30 per month seemed way high for me. About 10 other door to door people have come by with competing offers for $20 or so per month to monitor. I still think it's not worth the money.

We just turn it on when we leave. We also have the beeps alert when a door or window opens. The first night we had it on at about midnight I heard it beep and freaked out thinking someone was in the house. It turned out to be a door not shut tight enough but it was freaky sweeping my own home with a 12 guage thinking there was an intrider.