Gary Sarti, a Weaver Homes sales consultant, demonstrates the security system in one of the model homes. Weaver Homes offers a variety of security packages, including outdoor cameras and motion detectors, through Guardian Protection Services.

With concerns about presenting a welcoming home to friends, family and neighbors — or even potential buyers — homeowners may often forget the importance of protecting their property.

Nicole Glasgow, a Howard Hanna realtor, said she has come across people who don't want to lock their doors because they feel safe in their neighborhoods and haven't had to do so before.

“I've had people who have said, 'Well, we don't have a key for our house,'” she said. “I make sure they have a key, make sure they have a lockbox (and) make sure the doors are locked at all times.”

Glasgow said she tells clients to “take out anything that's valuable,” including items many might not consider valuable, such as pharmaceuticals.

“My clients also usually try to make it look like there's somebody still living in the house, even if it's vacant,” she said. “Someone still living there deters people. My people who have vacant houses — the ones who are being careful — go there pretty often to make sure neighbors see them and that there's a car there sometimes. I would suggest to have a neighbor do that or maybe a family member to check in if they can't personally go.”

As far as neighborhood safety goes, Glasgow said she typically recommends that potential buyers look at area crime rates and Meghan's List when considering making an offer.

“We've had people who find neighbors to talk to before making an offer,” Glasgow said. “People do want to know about safety, and they do research online and check things out.”

Bryan Barbe, project manager at Weaver Homes, said the company's focus is on protecting the entire community, rather than a single home.

“We use deadbolts, keyed locks, exterior lighting on everything,” Barbe said. “All the windows have two locks.”

Barbe said he sees variations in how much home security people want.

“Some people look for it,” he said. “I don't know if it's a huge selling point or discouraging.”

While gates, doors and locks can stop unwanted company, many options for home protection act more as deterrents than physical barriers to prevent break-ins.

Barbe said merely promoting the thought that someone could be caught is often enough to prevent trespassing.

“We also have some security cameras throughout the community,” he said. “No trespassing signs, things like that.”

Bonnie Weaver, owner of Weaver Homes, said that a few years ago there were some break-ins at homes being built in the area, but added there have been no recent break-ins. She said that the guilty parties were caught.

Alarm systems and cameras are another option for home protection, Barbe said.

“We offer an option on Guardian home security,” he said. “Some people opt to put (cameras) in their homes, but they do it after closing, not through us.”

Glasgow said when she's showing homes to potential buyers, she points out that cameras can be an effective means of securing the property.

“Security cameras outside is a great idea,” she said. “A Ring video doorbell can go pretty far, too, because it has that camera that goes to the street and will let you know if someone's there.”

Glasgow said this option is inexpensive and that people could view who is outside their home through an app on their phones.

“Also, having floodlights that you can activate from your phone is a good deterrent,” she added.

There are many options with advancing technology that can help both sellers and potential homebuyers secure their properties, Glasgow said.

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