Condo vs Townhouse: What’s the Right Choice for You?

When it comes to making the big decision between a condominium and townhome, be sure to first familiarize yourself with the unique advantages each type of property offers.

Here is everything you need to know about condos vs. townhouse to help you choose the perfect home to suit your needs!

What is a Townhome Community Like?

A townhome community is made up of conjoined single-family homes that are owned by individual tenants, meaning that each unit may have multiple floors and share one or more walls with the neighboring unit(s).

Townhomes provide an excellent option for someone looking for the perks of a single-family home at a more affordable cost with less maintenance. This means getting to enjoy that perfectly kept front-yard, without having to purchase a lawnmower.

Townhome residents enjoy low-maintenance living with help from the community’s homeowners’ association. HOAs set the rules for the community and maintain responsibility for some or all of the exterior and shared property. Each resident is a member of its HOA, which requires monthly or annual fees to help fund maintenance activities.

While townhome owners own the land that their property sits on, the HOA manages the external maintenance, hence the hassle-free yards.

Due to the proximity of neighbors, townhome residents often feel an extra sense of security in their community. It is easy to get to know the people around you and keep an eye out for each other’s property and suspicious activity, ensuring a better night’s rest and worry-free trips away from home.

Lower turnover rates in townhome communities mean that residents often stay put for longer periods of time than those living in condos, which also promotes better neighbor relations.

If you are looking to socialize with neighbors, townhome communities offer great opportunities through shared living spaces. These areas may include pools, parks, gyms, and recreation rooms for hosting the perfect party.

Despite social opportunities and nearness to neighbors, townhome communities still provide peace and quiet. Thanks to party walls, which divide buildings into separate units, using quality soundproofing and building materials, residents do not have to worry about sound transferring from adjacent homes.

What is a Condo Community Like?

A condo community consists of a single building or multiple buildings with separate units owned independently. Condominiums are often adjacent to other units, and unlike townhomes, may also be situated above or below the other units, particularly if the building is a high-rise.

Due to an large amount of shared common space in condominiums, it is not uncommon for neighbors to cross paths. While the common areas vary depending on the specific condo community, many condo residents share hallways, stairs, lobbies, elevators, parking lots, and common building entries and exits.

Similarly to townhomes, condos are managed by homeowners’ association.

As members and critical voices of the condominium’s HOA, residents are strongly encouraged to attend HOA meetings, which may take place on a regular or annual basis.

While these meetings generally aren’t mandatory, they provide a forum for critical discussion regarding pressing homeowner issues and opportunities to make changes. Changes may include topics such as altering the budget or electing a new board of directors.

Attending HOA meetings also provides a terrific opportunity for residents to better connect with other neighbors and enhance the sense of community.

What Do Average Condo Fees Cost?

Before choosing the perfect place to call home, make sure to conduct research regarding extra condominium fees.

Because condos offer residents shared common areas, building maintenance, and landscaping, condo fees are a given. These additional costs allow HOAs to fund, manage, and protect these shared spaces outside of the individual units.

Unfortunately, condominium HOA fees tend to be the priciest out there. These costs can run residents anywhere from $1,200 to $8,000 annually depending on what services the HOA covers.

This gap in average HOA fees is so significant because these fees depend on many variables, such as the community’s reputation, age, and location, as well as the amenities that the condominium offers.

While standard amenities, such as a pool and fitness center, typically run residents around $300 to $500 per month, additional luxury amenities can quickly skyrocket HOA fees.

These upgraded amenities may include outdoor dog facilities, room-service, maid-service, spas, concierge, valet, and 24-hour security. When condominiums provide these extra amenities, monthly HOA fees can easily run residents over $1,000 per month.

What Are Townhome Fees Like?

If you’re leaning toward a townhome community, HOA fees are still mandatory, but they come at a much lower cost.

Townhome fees are less expensive because the HOA is less involved in property maintenance.

While townhome owners’ monthly expenses are much lower than condo owners, maintenance work can require much higher out of pocket expenses because unit owners are solely responsible for the indoor and outdoor space of their unit.

The HOA fees condo residents pay ensure common space maintenance and upkeep, which may include activities like pest control of common areas and garbage removal.

Some townhome communities also provide luxury amenities, resulting in higher fees for residents. Popular bonus amenities include community pools, spas, gyms, security systems, and gate security guards.

Condo vs. Townhome Insurance — What’s the Difference?

While townhome and condo insurance both tend to run less expensive than single-family home insurance, there are important differences between the two.

The distinction comes down to each property’s legal ownership.

While townhome owners generally possess the land beneath their units, condominium owners only claim ownership of their units.  The land is collectively owned by all of the other condo owners in the complex.

Condo associations take some of the insurance burden off the owners by providing partial coverage, but individual condo owners still need additional protection through individual homeowners insurance policies.

Before determining what coverage a condo owner needs, it is critical to first examine the condo association’s policy found in the HOA’s declaration pages. Often condominium HOA insurance policies will cover the common areas and most of the building’s exterior:  However, individual owners are responsible for the inside of their unit.

Individual condo insurance, known as HO-6 insurance, covers the interior of each condo unit, the condo owners’ possessions, and provides the owner with a liability policy.

The average cost of a homeowner’s insurance policy for an Illinois condo runs approximately $365 per month, which is relatively low compared to the rest of the country.

Townhome insurance, known as HO-3,  generally works the same as insuring a detached single-family home. The insurance policy covers the unit as well as any outdoor space the owner has title to.

Townhome insurance coverage is more expansive than condo insurance. This is partly due to the fact that owning a townhome comes with more risk due to increased property possession and liability.

Planning Your Investment: Condo vs. Townhome Resale Value

Purchasing a home is a big decision, and it is always beneficial to think ahead. Considering condo vs. townhome resale value is essential to ensure long-term potential value of your property.

If you are leaning towards a condominium investment, the good news is that these properties typically sell much quicker than single-family homes, even in a down-market, due to lower costs.

In order to ensure higher resale values, buyers need to carefully select condo units. It is important to take into consideration factors such as resale history of other units in the building, current property values, and the local real estate market.

When condo owners are ready to resell, it is also critical to get up to speed on the condo association’s rules and guidelines as to what can be done with the units. Associations may place limits on who the condo may be sold to, buyer pre-approval and where you place for-sale signs.

In order to set your home apart from the other surrounding condo units and communities, it is critical to highlight your condo’s assets and neighborhood amenities. Determining a competitive selling point is also crucial to the success of your resale.

The process of reselling a townhome closely mirrors that of a condo. However, sellers have found that townhomes tend to have lower resale values.

Not only can it be more difficult to fill a townhome community, but it is often harder to obtain financing for townhomes. This is due to the increased liability of owning both the land and the physical structure.

On the positive side, determining a fair selling price of a townhome is fairly easy because of the many similar properties in the community.

When listing a townhome, it is also critical to highlight the amenities of the community and the HOA dues that the buyer will encounter.

Finding a worthwhile investment, whether that involves the purchase of a condo or townhome, involves finding a desirable location and community. Here are a couple of questions you may want to ponder to figure out if you’ve found an ideal area for such an investment:

  • Is the property in an area where properties are in demand, such as near a college or university?
  • Is the property in an area that is getting less popular or more popular?
  • Could a major employer in the area close down and cause rental/purchase demand to decline?
  • Could a new condo development be built nearby, requiring expensive improvements to compete?

Now that you have more information regarding condos vs. townhouses, it may be time to make that big decision. While both options offer homeowners unique benefits, it is all about finding the property that best fits you!

How Can Your HOA Improve Security?

HOA security should be a high and ongoing priority. It is crucial to maximize residents’ safety by reducing threats and preventing crime.

Assessing Current Condo Security

Condominiums have unique sets of needs when it comes to safety. Not only are there people constantly coming and going, due to the high number of occupants, but there is also a higher number of entry points and common areas. Therefore, it is critical that HOAs deliver effective security strategies.

Before determining how security in your community can be improved, the HOA needs to assess the current level of protection.

To gain insight into security improvement needs, an HOA can conduct a comprehensive security assessment, independently or with the help of a professional consultant, depending on budget.

If your HOA choses to hire out a professional, the security assessment for condominiums may run anywhere between $1,500 and $5,000 depending on the services provided.

Regardless of the assessment you conduct, every evaluation should provide an HOA with these essential items:

  1. The vulnerabilities and exposures on the property which either have led or can lead to security issues.
  2. Effective solutions available to an HOA, as well as a planned course of action and anticipated costs.
  3. A sense of confidence for the board and association management in their means to achieve a safer community.

Condominium Security Benefits

Following the assessment, it is up to the HOA to implement security measures to improve condo security and make the community a safer place to live.

While there are numerous security measures an HOA can take, here are a few common precautions:

  • Door Staff help restrict access into the community, deterring intruders and helping residents feel more secure.
  • Front Door Video Systems enable constant surveillance of the property and capture footage of suspicious or criminal activity.
  • Key Access Systems provide residents with a security card, rather than a key, that can be swiped to enter the building or common areas. This technology provides more control over who enters the condo maximizing security.
  • Attached Parking helps prevent auto theft and vandalism while allowing residents easy and safer access to their vehicles.
  • Landscaping for Security can involve reducing hiding places and keeping the area well maintained.
  • Neighborhood Watch promotes community effort to patrol the community together and report any suspicious activity to reduce crime.

Getting an HOA on Board

If you’re eager to improve your HOA security, don’t be afraid to start a conversation. Present the idea of a security assessment to your HOA or discuss possible safety improvements.

While an HOA may need to check the budget or require permission for some of these improvements, it is likely that they will be eager to help create a safer environment and happier residents.

Don’t underestimate the role you can play in improving HOA security to keep you and your community safe!

Why You Should Look for Reserved or Private Condo Parking

Dealing with parking in a large city can pose a huge nightmare for any driver. From hunting down an open spot to shoveling the car out during the winter, drivers deal with plenty of challenges.

To alleviate this parking headache and ensure extra security for you and your vehicle, consider reserved or private condo parking.

Reserved or Private Parking is Safer

Not only is private parking more convenient, but it is also a safer alternative to street or public parking lots.

Since HOAs regulate condominium parking lots and garages, security cameras are often in use as a safety measure. These cameras can deter auto theft and vandalism, as well as record any crime that takes place on the premise.

Private parking facilities also reduce the amount of traffic and pedestrians that the driver has to worry about when parking, and thus minimizing the chance of an unwanted accident or collision.

Does Private Parking Cost More?

Private condo parking is considered an amenity, so naturally, this desirable feature comes at a price. However, if safety and convenience are a priority, it may be a worthwhile investment.

The cost for private parking depends largely on the value of the condominium and how the space is rented or sold.

Frequently, condominium parking spaces are “deeded”, meaning that the homeowner also owns the parking spot and a deed (record of ownership) is filed with the county.

If this is the case, then the parking spot can be sold independently of the condo, meaning the buyer must pay additional taxes and building assessments on the space.

Pricing also depends on the nature of the parking. Condominiums may offer assigned spaces in parking lots; first-come, first-serve parking lots; private garages; and communal garages. Some are more desirable than others.

Based on a YoChicago survey, River North condominium private parking spaces start anywhere from $35,000 to $55,000.

If you are still leaning towards street parking, keep in mind that costs may still add up with this alternative. Many streets require permits and are quick to tow or hand out hefty tickets during random street cleanings or events. Park at your own risk.

How to Bring Parking up to HOA

If you’re interested in reserving or purchasing a parking spot at your condominium, you will have to reach out to your Homeowner’s Association.

Since parking proves to be a common challenge when living in an HOA community, make sure to get a good understanding of your condo’s parking policy to avoid any confusion.

The governing documents for HOA-controlled parking spaces are contained in Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs). These documents provide insight into the purchase process and outline the ownership or reservation of a parking spot.

Make the parking process easier and safer by reserving a private condo parking space today!

How Do Appraisers Choose Comps? Understanding How Condos are Valuated

Wait — What’s a Comp?

To understand that, and how appraisers choose comps, we first need to review the home financing process. When you’re the one selling a condo, your involvement in these steps will be minimal. Your buyer will (should) have been pre-approved for financing, thereby demonstrating his or her ability to buy the home and repay a loan. After you and the buyer come to terms on price, timeline, and any concessions, a purchase contract will be executed and provided to the buyer’s lender. From there, it’s up to them to navigate the process and get final approval on the loan as well as the clear to close.

But toward the end of that process, the buyer and his or her lender will order an appraisal (as well as a home inspection) to objectively but informedly determine the value of the home. As the seller, you most likely won’t see the appraisal on your condo or learn its appraised value. If the appraisal comes in under the agreed sale price, you would see it because you’d be able to challenge the appraisal or accept the new value.

How does the appraiser determine the value of your condo? Well, that’s where comps come in. A comp is an industry term for a comparable home sale. The appraiser will look at your home as well as the recent sales of homes similar to yours in the area. But how does the appraiser choose comps? Is there anything different for condos versus single-family homes?

A Quick Comps for Condos 101

When it comes to condos, appraisers have to consider more than just similar units within your building. The appraiser must analyze and use condos from both the surrounding neighborhood as well as your condo’s building. One must be within the same project or structure, whereas one can come from outside it. A third must be chosen, typically within the same building as your condo since it will resemble your unit’s design, layout, materials, etc.

The comps’ characteristics will be evaluated along with its sale price. Things the appraiser will look at include the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the square footage or gross living area, and the style of the home. The appraiser will draft up a report detailing their findings as well as the comps. The buyer’s lender will then use this appraisal to ensure they’re not lending more money than the home is worth. Which brings us to the final point.

How to Challenge a Low Appraisal

Remember, as the seller, you won’t get access to the appraisal unless you request it. But how would you know to request it since you typically don’t get the appraisal? If the loan is declined, or if the buyer informs you they’re backing out, then you’ll know something is up. Request the appraisal via the buyer’s agent and review it in-depth. Appraisers are humans like everyone else, and mistakes do happen that result in mistakenly low-balled figures.

If there are mistakes, or if the appraiser didn’t take into consideration any improvements you made to your condo, make sure that information gets into the right hands. Notify your agent, the appraiser (if you can), and attempt to get a new or adjusted appraisal. Just be prepared that the buyer, by this point, may have already backed out, or their lender may simply not accept a separate appraisal. It’s a gamble, but if you have an opportunity with a buyer, it’s worth pursuing.

Ready to sell your condo with confidence? Choose Luxury Living Chicago Realty.

What’s the Best Security Camera for a Condo?

When it comes to finding the best security camera for your condo, it’s essential to do some initial research.

With advancing technology and numerous choices on the market, the options may seem endless. Don’t worry; we’re here to help you find the optimal security camera to help keep you and your home safe.

Types of Security Cameras

In general, the two standard categories for condominium security cameras include outdoor and indoor cameras.

Here’s a look into both types:

Outdoor security cameras– These cameras are generally placed right above the front or back entrance of a condo. Since the outdoors are prone to more hazards and inclement weather, these cameras tend to be more durable and weather resistant. Many outdoor cameras offer motion-detecting sensors to help reduce hours of wasted footage taking up DVR space.

Indoor security cameras– Some condo owners chose indoor security cameras instead or in addition to the outdoor surveillance. These cameras are typically dome-shaped to provide some of the highest quality footage with full 360 degree angles, enabling the homeowner the ability to monitor an entire space.

Indoor and outdoor security cameras are available wireless or hardwired. While wireless security cameras are easier to install, flexible, and extremely portable, hardwired security cameras are generally more stable and less expensive.

Top Security Camera Picks

The best condominium security cameras provide residents with convenience as well as high-quality and expansive coverage.

If you’re installing an outdoor security camera, consider the Reolink Argus. This weather-resistant, motion detecting security camera is excellent for monitoring condo entrances.

The Reolink Argus provides top-notch, wireless technology to keep your condo extra secure, complete with instant app push notifications, as well as email and sound alerts when someone approaches your door or entrance.

To protect the inside of your home, we recommend the Reolink C1 Pro, a wireless pan-tilt security camera, delivering exceptionally clear and sharp footage.

How Many Security Camera Does Your Condo Need

Determining the number of cameras you should have in your condo depends on the level of security you’re looking for, as well as your HOA’s security camera policy.

Since approximately 34 percent of burglars enter through the front door, outdoor cameras provide a means to to monitor the entrance and deter criminals. Just make sure your condo’s policy allows for these cameras, and the camera does not invade neighbor’s property.

If your condo has multiple entrances, it’s also wise to place a security camera at each entry.

In addition to outdoor cameras, indoor cameras are beneficial to condo owners as a way to monitor the space within the home.

Take critical safety precautions and find the best condominium security camera today!

How to Take Care of Condo Repairs

There’s a Right Way and a Wrong Way

As time passes and your condo experiences more wear and tear, the time may eventually come when you want to make some repairs or renovations. It’s just a part of owning a home — things wear down, things break, things go out of style, and so on.

But when condo repairs need to be made, going about them the wrong way can have disastrous consequences beyond just your own inconvenience. You can put your neighbors out, cause massive property damage, and even find yourself in court.

Needless to say, if you need to make some condo repairs, it’s important to do it properly. And with a bit of planning, communication, and foresight, you’ll be able to knock them out without issue.

How to Make Condo Repairs Correctly

The first thing you need to do is have a conversation with your condo association. That’s because the association’s bylaws may place restrictions on the extent and type of repairs residents can make. They may also require a certain process to be followed, or that you work with approved contractors.

After you speak with your association and get the details, you can begin searching for licensed, approved contractors to make the condo repairs. It’s important that you work with authorized, proven, and insured contractors — not only to protect yourself but also to protect your neighbors.

It doesn’t take long to find horror stories of residents attempting to make condo repairs on their own or with that “friend of a friend” who thinks he knows how to fix things. Flooding on one level causing damage and collapsed ceilings for residents below. Massive plumbing issues leading to ruined walls, flooring, and property. Electrical work gone bad, causing fires. Improper demolition causing cracked walls and floors for surrounding neighbors, resulting in them being forced to move out of their homes for months.

Once you’ve found a contractor with the legal and insurance backing as well as the experience and high reviews, you can get to work. When it comes to remodeling and making repairs, it’s always worth having a professional do the job for you, even if it costs a bit more. That way, you get the work you want completed (likely completed faster than you tackling it after a long day or on the weekend), it’s done properly, and you’re protected in case something goes wrong.

Ask Around for Recommendations

Talk to your neighbors. Ask coworkers. Ask family and friends who also live in downtown Chicago condos or who have in the past. Make a list of recommended contractors and narrow them down. Once you have a few, contact them for a quote. Once you’ve chosen the contractor you feel most comfortable with, get to work. Stick around when the work is being done, if you can, and make sure everything is done the way you want it. You’re paying for it, and it’s your home. Make sure it’s exactly what you want — and what your association requires.

Our team is ready and happy to help. Let us know if we can be of assistance.

Security Tips for Single-Family Homes

Single-family homes remain the most vulnerable property type for crime due to easier access with multiple entry points and potential for greater rewards. To counteract these concerns and keep you, your loved ones and property safe, check out these single-family home security tips.

What You Can do to Improve Safety

First priority should be finding the right security system for your house. Ensuring that cameras and alarms monitor every burglar-access entrance will reduce the possibility of someone entering your home. The National Crime Prevention Institute acknowledges the proven effectiveness of security alarms to deter criminals.

Adjusting your landscaping also proves to help reduce the chance of intruders targeting your place. Trimming bushes and hedges to three feet or shorter increases the visibility of your home while preventing a hiding place for criminals.

Getting to know your neighbors promotes more than just friendships. Establishing relationships with people around your home encourages greater security by building community awareness and communication, which is especially beneficial if you or another neighbor go out of town.

If you do spend extended time away from home, be sure to maintain the illusion of occupancy to deter potential break-ins. Over half of burglars would avoid entering a house if there was evidence of people home. Keep a car parked in the driveway and a couple of lights on inside. Motion detecting flood lights on low-lit areas around your home also provide an effective deterrence.

What to Look for in your Search for a Secure Single-Family Home?

During your search to find the perfect single-family home, make sure to assess the security system before you purchase. Although this can be sorted out after the move, finding a house with an effective system already in place will save you time and hassle.

At the tip of your fingers, you can access plenty of information regarding your potential neighborhood’s crime rate online.Areavibes is a great site to learn more about neighborhood safety and compare the crime rates in different areas.

It’s always smart to check out the common property types in your prospective neighborhood. Areas populated with single-family homes generally have lower crime rates than areas scattered with apartment rentals.

Should You Consider a Gated Community?

While gated communities are only proven to decrease crime rates slightly, these neighborhoods do provide security benefits for single-family homes, including increased surveillance, restricted access, and neighborhood watch programs.

Gated communities offer a particularly great option for families with children, especially when it comes to safer streets. Slower speed limits and no traffic allow parents to have greater peace of mind when the kids are playing outside.

Keep the people and property you love out of harm’s way by putting to use these single-family home security tips today!

How to Understand a Condominium Security Camera Policy

If you’re considering investing in a security camera, it’s critical that you first examine your condominium security policy.

What are the Rules on Security Cameras in Condominiums

These security policies lay out the rules and regulations for camera installation, placement, and use.

Homeowners Associations (HOA) or condominium associations often manage condominiums and therefore enforce their own security policies, as long as they follow local and state privacy regulations.

Over the years, the use of surveillance cameras has been largely debated, with a tricky balance between residents’ safety and privacy.

An individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy in his or her own home, meaning your board, neighbors, or association should not and cannot be monitoring you within your private space.

However, there is not the same expectation of privacy in shared or common areas, such as the lobby, stairwells, elevator, and hallways. Therefore condominium buildings generally have the right to place security cameras in these spaces without consent from residents.

Who to Ask About the Security Camera Policy

To figure out exactly your condo’s security camera policy looks like, you’ll have to go directly to the source, your local HOA.

Each building has its own separate set of requirements, and authorization for anything in a condo, specifically security cameras, requires strict approval within the building’s by-laws and rules.

Some condominiums allow residents to install outdoor security cameras as long as they don’t violate one’s reasonable expectation of privacy, while other buildings only permit cameras within one’s private residence.

There are also security camera policies that prohibit drilling or damage of property during the installation of security systems; therefore wireless security systems may be the only option for some residents.

It’s also common for HOA to require condo residents to obtain consent before installing security cameras. So being aware of this requirement in advance helps residents avoid unnecessary disputes or fines.

The Best Places to for Condominium Security Cameras

Once you’ve familiarized yourself with your building’s security camera policy, hopefully, you’ll be ready for camera installation.

If your policy allows for security cameras outside of your property, make sure to install a camera at the entrance of your condo. Approximately 34 percent of burglars enter through the front door, so you want to keep this area surveilled.

When setting up your security camera, make sure the camera is facing downward at an angle rather than directly in front of a tenant’s or owner’s door. This angle ensures that you don’t capture footage of the interior of a non-public area without consent, which can constitute a violation of privacy and potentially result in a lawsuit.

To protect your security cameras, place them high enough so they’re out of easy reach. Nine-feet off the ground is generally a sufficient placement for cameras. However, you still want to make sure the camera is visible to strangers to scare off potential intruders.

Make it a priority to read up on your condominium’s security camera policy before installation.

Should You Invest in Condo Building Security Systems?

f you’re contemplating whether or not to invest in a condo building security system, we highly suggest you take the plunge. With burglaries occurring every 13 seconds in the US, it’s important to safeguard your home to protect you, your loved ones, and your valuables.

Why Your Condo Needs a Security System

Here are just a few reasons why a condo building security system is a worthwhile investment:

  1. Prevention– Even if your condominium has a security guard, unfortunately this protection is limited. Building security systems provide an extra defense against robbery, vandalism and violent crimes. Studies have backed up the effectiveness of security systems, specifically surveillance cameras, suggesting that they indeed reduce the number of low-level offenses, including automobile break-in and burglaries. In fact, according to research conducted by the BDI, condos without a security system are 300 times more likely to be robbed.
  2. Monitoring– Security systems enable residents to have continual awareness of what’s taking place in and around their property. Especially when you live in a shared building, it’s wise to have extra surveillance.
  3. Peace of Mind Over two-thirds of Americans do not feel entirely safe at home. Security systems can change this statistic and help residents go to bed and wake up feeling safe. It is comforting to know that there is a system in place that can deter criminals, provide protection, and keep you aware of what activity is taking place in and around your condo.

Are Security Systems Required for Condominium Buildings?

HOAs do not require security systems; therefore it’s voluntary for condominiums to provide security systems in and around the resident homes.

If your building does not provide each unit with a security system, consider installing one on your own. Be sure to look into your HOA’s security camera policy beforehand.

Wireless or Traditional Security Systems?

When you decide to invest in a building security system, the next big decision involves choosing between traditional hardwired alarm systems or wireless systems.

Here’s a look at the difference between both types of systems:

Hardwired security systems

  • These traditional security systems are installed and hidden in your walls, ceiling, and floors.
  • The installation process generally takes longer than wireless and needs to be done by a professional.
  • This system proves to be the most reliable because there is less than can go wrong with the components.

Wireless security systems

  • These systems use individual sensors throughout the home which communicate wirelessly with the central control panel, typically using radio frequencies.
  • Smartphones can be hooked up to these systems for increased access and control.
  • Wireless systems are most convenient when it comes to installation and portability.
  • Electromagnetic interference by other devices make these systems less reliable and easier to get hacked.

Keep your home protected and invest in a condominium security system today!

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