| Your New Home and Your Family's SafetyWhen | | | | The number and type of pets you have |
| you're building a home, you're undoubtedly | | | | Your home's location |
| overwhelmed with excitement and ever-changing | | | | Does your home have a detached garage? |
| plans and decisions, making it easy to overlook some | | | | Are there any gas-fired appliances in the home? (For |
| of the smaller details. But this is not a time to | | | | carbon monoxide detection) |
| compromise your family's safety. By determining your | | | | Does the home have a hot tub or gas logs? (For |
| family's safety needs early on, you can better equip | | | | carbon monoxide detection) |
| your new home and ensure you and your family are | | | | Do you have elderly people living in the home (Critical |
| safe for many years to come.On the most basic level, | | | | condition monitoring solutions such as medical |
| a home electronic security system can provide you | | | | assistance) You can save money on security |
| with protection from break-ins with four important | | | | monitoring services or even monitor for non-traditional |
| levels of deterrence: yard signs, warning decals, loud | | | | security events like water in the laundry room or |
| sirens and 24-hour monitoring. The right home | | | | basement. Additionally, Smarthome products include |
| electronic security system can also save your family | | | | devices that will allow you to unlock the front door to |
| from fire, a necessary benefit considering that a home | | | | let friends in or close the garage door from your office |
| fire occurs every 86 seconds and 8 people die in | | | | via the Web. Remote control thermostats allow you to |
| house fires every 24 hours. Add to this the fact that | | | | adjust the temperature from bed at night or even from |
| many electronic home security systems can also | | | | a cell phone while on your way home (or to your 2nd |
| detect carbon monoxide and it becomes clear that | | | | home!). They can even trigger a notice to you if the |
| security systems are something you should strongly | | | | temperature gets too low (freezing pipes) or too high |
| consider when planning your new home.Thanks to | | | | (pets, plants, etc.).Go over your wants and needs for |
| advances in technology, homebuilders have a wide | | | | your home security system with your builder. And, it is |
| variety of systems to choose from. There's the more | | | | wise to ask friends and neighbors about their security |
| standard electronic system that includes an alarm and | | | | systems. Find out what kind of system they have, |
| 24-hour monitoring which requires homebuilders to | | | | what company they chose and why, and find out if |
| purchase the inexpensive equipment, pay an installation | | | | they are pleased with their system. You may also |
| fee, and pay monthly (usually less than $40) for the | | | | want to ask about their system's ease-of-use, reliability |
| monitoring. This traditional system is tried and true and | | | | and even costs. Once you have narrowed down the |
| remains the backbone of home security systems | | | | list of companies you want to work with, give them a |
| today because of its ease of use and affordability. ( or | | | | call and discuss your specific needs. Then, go over |
| on the market is automated home security, which | | | | your findings with your builder to ensure the system |
| resembles something seen previously only in James | | | | gets installed and is up and running long before you |
| Bond movies. Using automated systems, homeowners | | | | and your family spend your first night in your new |
| have the luxury of using voice recognition and even | | | | home. And last but not least, don't forget to make a |
| seeing inside their home while away via their laptops. | | | | quick call to your insurance agent. Your home's new |
| Despite their futuristic qualities, adding home automation | | | | alarm system should save you money on your |
| to an existing home is surprisingly affordable and | | | | homeowner's insurance premiums.House N Home |
| simple, with many of the products costing less than | | | | Building ( is an indespensible resources for anyone |
| $40 and requiring no new wires! ( of which system | | | | building a new home. The site features, money saving, |
| you prefer, you must consider your own needs before | | | | convenience, healthy house building and energy saving |
| deciding which system is best for you and your family, | | | | tips. It is packed with useful and practical tools such as |
| including: | | | | a lot/land checklist, builder's interview guide and |
| The style and number of doors and windows in your | | | | checklist, comprehensive punchlist, a sample building |
| home | | | | contract, example specifications, home energy |
| How many floors your home will have | | | | checklist, a free house plan and a free monthly house |
| Your children's ages and their bedroom locations | | | | building newslettter. |