Buying your first home comes with a security checklist most real estate agents don't hand you. New construction or resale — your security setup needs are the same: entry point coverage, smoke/CO monitoring, and ideally a way to check on your home remotely when you're at work or traveling.
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SimpliSafe — Best First System Top Pick
No contract means you can start with a basic kit and expand as you understand your home. Sensors peel-and-stick, so repositioning is easy. The 60-day money-back guarantee removes risk if you find you need a different setup. Start with entry sensors on all external doors and windows, and add cameras and a motion detector as your second step.
View SimpliSafe →ADT — Best if You Want Professional Installation on Day One
New homeowners who want zero DIY involvement do well with ADT — a licensed technician surveys your home, recommends sensor placement, and installs everything. The 2–3 year contract is a tradeoff, but for homeowners planning to stay long-term, it's manageable. ADT's insurance discount often offsets a meaningful portion of the monitoring cost.
View ADT →Ring — Best for New Homeowners in Amazon Households
If you're already an Amazon household with Echo devices, Ring's alarm system integrates naturally. Ring's Alarm Pro kit includes an Eero WiFi router inside the base station — genuinely useful for a new home where you're setting up internet at the same time.
View Ring →Security needs vary by home size, neighbourhood, and how many entry points you have. This checklist covers the essentials for a typical single-family home.
| Priority | Item | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Must have | Entry sensors on all external doors | Front, back, side, garage entry — every door that leads outside |
| Must have | Smoke detectors + CO monitor | Often code-required. Interconnected detectors are safest. |
| Must have | Professional monitoring plan | Self-monitoring alone is not enough for an unoccupied home |
| Should have | Motion detector in main living area | Catches intruders who enter through unlocked or bypassed windows |
| Should have | Video doorbell | Package theft, visitor identification, delivery monitoring |
| Nice to have | Window sensors on ground floor | Especially if windows face a low-traffic area or alley |
| Nice to have | Outdoor camera (front and/or back) | Best added once you've lived in the home for a few months |
Should I buy security equipment immediately when I move in?
Entry sensors and smoke/CO detectors: yes, immediately. Cameras and advanced sensors: wait 4–6 weeks. Once you've lived in your home, you'll know which entry points matter most, where blind spots are, and whether your neighbourhood needs outdoor cameras.
Should I use the previous owner's security system?
If the previous owners left an existing system: change all codes immediately, assume unknown parties may still have access, and contact the monitoring company to close the old account. Starting fresh with a new system is often cleaner and more cost-effective than inheriting an old contract.
Does home insurance require a security system?
No, but most insurers offer 5–15% premium discounts for monitored alarm systems. ADT's and SimpliSafe's monitoring certificates are most widely accepted. Ask your insurer specifically — the documentation requirements vary by carrier.
Related reading: SimpliSafe review · ADT review · SimpliSafe vs ADT · DIY vs professional installation
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