Sometimes the best home security is implemented when you are the one making the assessment and any corrective action- a do it yourself home security plan.

Here are home security tips to think about that will definitely discourage or flat out stop a potential intruder from entering your house. It is not an all inclusive list but one that if followed will certainly go a long way toward making your home more secure.

1. Take a critical look at your house from the outside. Is your house well lit? Are there hiding places near doors and windows? If you can spot a potential weakness in your home’s “look” you can bet a professional burglar can exploit it. Remember that light is a burglars’ enemy-darkness a friend.

2. What could slow down a burglar from entering your home? Simple home security devices such as locks on doors(deadbolts are best) and windows, bars, grates-items that are visible from the exterior of the house will not only act as a deterrent but slow down an intruder should he decide to try to enter. The more time it takes to break into a home, the more discouraged a burglar will become. Time is the enemy of the burglar.

3. How noisy can you make it if someone gains entry? Noise is also the enemy of the burglar. There are many home security alarms activated by doors or windows opening or by motion. The sound of a barking dog, real or recorded, are very effective and will scare most burglars away.

Lights, noise and time-they are the three biggest enemies of an intruder. If you implement these home security tips to fortify your house you may well avoid a lot of potential break-ins. But there are some other things that will help as well.

–Move valuables away from outside view. Don’t risk tempting someone. Consider putting small valuables in Diversion Safes.

–Start or join a neighborhood watch. Strangers usually stick out in a neighborhood and should be reported immediately to police.

–Make your house look occupied when you are gone. Burglars are much less likely to consider a house they feel is occupied.

–Lock your doors and windows Even when you are gone for a short period of time. Summertime presents a huge temptation to leave doors or windows open. Don’t give in to the temptation. I have seen so many garage doors open only one or two feet to let the heat out-just enough to let a burglar in.

Many police departments as a public service will offer advice on how to make your home more secure. Call for availability in your area.

There are several simple things you can do to make your home less prone to intrusion by a burglar. Start with an assessment on how to make your home well lit, more secure, and in the event of an entry-how to make it very noisy. Light, time, and noise are the enemies of the professional burglar.

When you decide to sell your home, and it's going to be vacant, you may be thinking of installing an home security alarm
system. But before you do, you have to make sure you understand a few things. For starters, the secret code won't be a secret for long. Whether it's published on the MLS, or given to all potential buyer's agents via phone or email, the secret will be out.

Alarms provide protection while your home is vacant or not. But you have to remember that the alarm can actually become a nuisance when instructions aren't followed, whether it's the instruction on the listing page stating that the buyer's agent should call beforehand for the code (and they don't) or if the step-by-step instructions hanging on the wall directly next to the alarm seem to be written in some other language.

To avoid these mishaps, selling agents can opt to show the house by appointment only, since too many times buyers agents don't call for the code and the proper authorities are contacted, the alarm company is contacted and eventually the selling agent is contacted. But there are other options too. That's why you have to decide whether or not the alarm system is actually a good idea.

Here are some tips you can utilize if you don't want the hassles of an alarm system:

* Fool the dummies with dummies. Dummy cameras, yard signs and window decals are all great ways to try and fool an intruder.
* Install motion detectors for all areas. Front yard, back yard and the sides of your homes will light up if motion is detected and generally scare the intruder away.
* Timed interior lights could also deter intruders and trick them into thinking someone is home.
* As a selling agent, recommend to your clients that leaving some furniture in the home, including knick-knacks on windowpanes and a couch or hanging plants will help make the home look like someone is living there still.

Again, these are just some ideas to help you get through the joys of home selling, with hopefully, less stress. Alarm systems are a great way to secure your home, however sometimes they're more of a hassle than a luxury.