When shopping for a new home, every buyer comes up with their must haves. They stress about the number of bed and bath rooms, having a large yard, and access to good schools. But many overlook a key component of what gives us peace of mind in our new castle: security.

Home security is a large part of what transforms a simple house into a home. It’s that safe, comfortable feeling that we all need and frankly deserve. Sure, people look at the neighborhood, maybe drive through it at night to check it out, even check local crime stats, but too few people give their potential homes a security audit. So, here are some key things to consider when you walk up to that potential new home.

What to Look for Before Buying

A third of burglars enter right through the front door. As you approach your prospective home, take a look at it. Is it hardwood or reinforced? Does it have a quality, commercial-grade deadbolt on it? Do you get a lot of packages delivered and left on the front porch? Would those packages be left out in the open? You may want to consider a camera doorbell to monitor the comings and goings of your new front door.

Another incredibly popular means of ingress is through a first-floor window. Are there tall shrubs near the doors and windows? These are good places for a thief to crouch behind. Consider trimming them down or even planting cacti, roses, or thorny bushes as a deterrent.

Does the house back up to the woods? The back yard can be a gold mine for shady characters. Bikes, grills, and lawn equipment are often stored there without a second thought. And while tall privacy fences and dense woods give the homeowner privacy and serenity, they provide plenty of cover for a would-be thief to take their time and get into your home.

Walk around the perimeter. Are there dark corners and alcoves that look like a burglar’s best friend? Motion-detecting lights eliminate these hiding spots. There’s nothing like an unexpected floodlight popping on to make a thief turn tail and run. These lights also make life easier for you. No more fiddling around in the dark trying to find the right key or the first step to the porch.

Budget Some Post Move-In Cash

Setting aside move-in money for security upgrades isn’t necessarily fun or sexy. It’s not choosing cool colors for the bedroom, picking out furniture, or buying that 75-inch TV. However, aside from the obvious peace of mind a system gives you, there are financial reason that make installing or upgrading your security system a good idea. A modern system can make your home more attractive to future buyers, increase resale value, and even score you discounts on your homeowner’s insurance.

Many newer homes come with security systems preinstalled. If there isn’t one, will you go the DIY route or bring in the pros? DIY systems are nice because you can tailor the system exactly to your needs and budget. As far as how much to budget for, Consumer Reports has an excellent breakdown of the 5-year cost of a DIY system. The downside is that you’re doing all the research, buying, and installation yourself.

Professional security companies will do all the work for you and offer active monitoring for extra security, but may be more expensive, and you’ll have to set up an appointment for installation.

Either way you go, there is the potential to integrate your security with a whole host of smart-home features. Modern networks can now monitor for carbon monoxide, smoke, extreme heat or freezes, even detect water and gas leaks. They can turn on your lights automatically when the sun goes down or unlock the front door for you when it recognizes your face.

At the very least, the most basic thing that every new homeowner should do is to change the locks. You simply have no idea how many random neighbors and strangers have the key to your new home. It’s cheap and takes an hour.

Why Is All This Important?

Although property crimes rates like larceny, burglary, and car theft have been declining for decades according to FBI crime statistics, there were still 1.4 million burglaries in 2017 (the most recent data available). All told, victims suffered property losses totaling $3.4 billion with an average loss per offense of $2,416. In Los Angeles, for example, one in 201 homes were broken into.

According to Realtor.com, the average home buyer will look at 10 houses before finding "the one." So, look through the closets and check out the kitchen, but keep security in mind. With a little planning, your new home can be the safest place for you, your family, and your most prized possessions.