Guest Post - 7 Benefits of CCTV Camera Installations on Your Property

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Concerns with suspicious activities in businesses are growing as technological innovations that develop every day increase companies’ presence online, where unscrupulous individuals lurk. Most people look into security system facts and figures to guide them in establishing security measures. 

However, security systems are no longer just for commercial spaces anymore. More and more homes are becoming aware of the benefits a home security system can provide. Homeowners are keeping up with modern times and upgrading their homes.

Nowadays, residential owners either turn to smart technologies that they can integrate into home automation or install CCTV cameras. If you want to join in on the trend, it is best to start by setting up security camera systems. 

Here are seven reasons you should install a security camera system on your property:

1. Deter Burglars

The main reason you should consider installing a CCTV in your home is to discourage robbers and burglars from entering your property. With cameras present, it will be less likely for criminals to carry out their break-in attempts compared to a house without cameras.

Be sure to install the cameras where the main areas of your property are covered such as the entrances, exits, and other lesser visible regions. To add caution to burglars, you can have a warning sign that says your property is under surveillance.

2. Gain a sense of reassurance and security

When you have CCTV installed on the property, you feel at ease as if someone keeps an eye on everything. Whether these systems are for the security of your condo or the safety of your house, a camera system can provide you peace of mind. 

Advanced CCTV systems can come with wireless models to monitor live footage from your smartphone or tablet. Some systems can also give you an alert whenever suspicious activity is happening.

Having access to home security at your fingertips means that you can supervise your property at all times. With this extra sense of security, you can be confident living your life, knowing that you and your family are safe.

3. Validate insurance claims

Did you know that having a security system installed in your home has insurance benefits? If a burglary occurred, you could file an insurance claim for theft or vandalism.

When you claim your insurance, supporting documents can help and validate your case. High-definition CCTV footages are a great way to prove the incident to insurers. Additionally, most insurance companies can give you up to a 20% discount on home insurance premiums if you have a security system installed in your house. 

4. Produce footage as evidence

Similar to presenting your CCTV footage as supporting documents for your insurance claim validation, your recorded videos can also aid the police when a crime has occurred on your property. Your security camera documents all activities under its scope. Therefore, the footage recorded is solid evidence.  

It is a bonus if your recording is in high-definition as you will have a better view of the perpetrator’s face. Some modern security cameras can even record audio. With these videos, there is a high chance that the police can identify and catch those involved. It is also possible that they can return your stolen items.

5. Check-in on family and pets

Sometimes, working parents want to check in with their children when they come back from school. You can easily do this if your security system includes remote monitoring. With this, you can get a live feed of your home on your smartphone or tablet, making it effortless to check in with the family even when you are at work. 

Not only can you check in with your kids using a camera system, but you can also monitor your pets. Leaving your pets at home can be a stressful situation. Paying for a pet sitter can be expensive as well. When you have a security camera system, you can look after them wherever you may be.

6. Save on costs

CCTV systems are a long-term safety investment. Once you have installed a security camera system on your property, you can use them for years with little maintenance costs. You can clean them now and then to make sure they are operating at their best. 

7. See who is at the door

Not all people at your doorstep are welcome on your property. Sometimes, there are folks you do not want to open the door for, like a sales representative or a stranger. With a home security system, you do not have to open the door to check who is behind it. Wherever you may be, you can be aware of who is knocking on your door.

Ensure Your Safety

A home security system brings an additional layer of defense against possible intruders. There are multiple options in the market today in terms of upgrading the security of your home. 

Nowadays, you can have remote monitoring features and CCTV footage with audio. With these technologies, you will be protecting yourself, your valuables, and your loved ones.

About the Author

Geri Pacleb is the head of Public Relations for Federal Land, Inc. She graduated from De La Salle University - Dasmarinas with a degree in Communication, and specialized in public relations.

Guest Post - How to increase the resale value of your home?

In a world where even a tiny application in your mobile phone demands an upgrade every now and then, your standard deserves one too. People’s preferences evolve, the world around us changes, families get bigger, and many more factors that may push one to move to a bigger house or a place that fits the bill better. 

The motive of this blog is not to factor in or analyze the reasons why people shift to a different house but to tell you how to make the most out of the house that you’re actually about to sell. Well, to begin with, it isn’t that difficult! Just a few additions here and there and you’ll manage to successfully increase the resale value of your home. 

Let’s dive straight into the pointers.

->  Create an illusion of a bigger space

It is not necessary for everyone to have a huge space to themselves but you can always make a space look and feel super spacious. It’s just some mind tricks and we’re gonna share just that with you. Use large format tiles for your space and help it achieve a more spacious feel. The more grout lines your space has, the busier the design looks, which ultimately overwhelms the space.

Opt for glossy tiles if you have a small space to tile as they reflect the natural light that helps your space look more spacious. 

-> Steel the Show

If you're planning to sell your place and move out soon, you should do some modifications to the place that can generate demand for it. These modifications need to be smart and not very expensive. One way that serves the purpose right is by adding stainless steel equipment to the kitchen. Prefer not to get tempted by the high-end finishes. They might just end up costing more and attracting relatively very less buyers. 

-> Tile it up, At Least these Two Spaces!

Don’t worry! We’re not going to keep these spaces a secret. It is always good to have your space beautifully tiled but if that seems like an overwhelming task and you’re pressed for time, you can get the bathroom and kitchen aesthetically tiled. Tiles possess some qualities and positive attributes that can help a lot in the longer run. 

Tiles have taken the market by storm and rightly so. They provide so many features and that too in a relatively cost-efficient manner. Your checklist while buying a tile should include looking for an anti-skid, low maintenance, cost-efficient, anti-germ, scratch- and stain-resistant, and easily cleanable tile.

You can always choose the tiles according to your preference but always do your homework on what’s trending in the market and which one of them will suit your requirement and budget the best.

-> Be Energy Efficient

Never underestimate the buyer! Buyers these days prefer places that are eco-friendly and save them some bucks too. As we all have access to a lot of information, everyone is aware of the effects various appliances can have on the environment. People are aware these days and want to do their bit for the planet, even if it is as small as going energy efficient with appliances. If you’re upgrading any of your appliances, like an air conditioner or a geyser, make sure to look for an energy-efficient option as it can help pursue the buyer better.

-> Beautify Area in Front of the House

Don’t we all know that the first impression is the last impression! The same goes for your home too. A neat, clean, and beautiful landscape is very attractive to homebuyers and can be a non-negotiable factor. Always keep it beautiful and well-maintained. It always works in the favor of the homeowner. In fact, it’s a common finding that a well-kept landscape often converts the deal into a sale. In a 2018 survey, 17% of Realtors said that a landscape maintenance project recently resulted in a sale

Mowing lawns and maintaining them might cost you a fair amount but the return on investment is equally high. It’ll not go in vain. 

-> Be Good at Cover-ups

Don’t get any wrong ideas. All we’re trying to say is that if your home looks a little worn out from any rim or corner, take the DIY route and pick up some paint baskets for a quick fix. A clean paint job is always pleasing to the eyes and you should do whatever is within your limits to make your place look pretty to the homebuyers. A fresh coat of paint can make old surfaces appear as good as new while adding an instant appeal to the place.

While these small adjustments will improve the comfort of your home while you live there, they will also increase the value of your property when it comes to selling it, if at all. 

Author Bio:
Isha Tandon has worked within the architecture and interior design industry as a flooring consultant - specializing in ceramic tiles, stones, and terrazzo. She has worked with Orientbell Limited, a leading tile manufacturer in India, as a product development manager and has recently joined the marketing team as their digital content strategist. Her experience comes in handy in understanding the audience as she creates value-driven content for readers that is not only informational but engaging and interesting to read as well. She creates lifestyle pieces that focus on interior design products, trends, and processes. She loves to travel to historic places with rich architecture.

Plants and Pools: How Can You Prepare Your Yard's Landscaping When Adding a Pool?

A pool can be the focal point of a backyard oasis, with the right landscaping. Planning your landscaping and preparing your yard for your new pool takes considerable thought. So, here are a few points you need to know about landscaping when installing your pool.

What Not to Plant

The wrong plants can create extra pool maintenance as will planting grass too close to the pool. For example, bougainvillea will shed tons of pretty pink flowers into your pool that can clog your pool’s jets and drains. You will want to avoid these kinds of plants around your pool. You'll also want to avoid plants that attract a lot of bees, such as honeysuckle.

Grass too close to a pool can also create problems. Not only will grass clippings fly into the pool, but the roots can eventually cause damage to both in-ground and above-ground pools. In fact, do not plant anything with invasive roots, such as oleander, around a pool.

Plants Appropriate for Around the Pool

If you want a tropical look and feel, stick with non-shedding poolside plants. Go with plants like canna lilies, bird of paradise flowers, and hibiscus plants. These are hardy plants that do not shed.

While lawn grass must be kept away from the pool, decorative grasses, such as feather reed grass, zebra grass, and mondo grass are very appropriate for around the pool.

In desert regions, succulents are a good choice. They can withstand heat and intense sunshine like cactus, but unlike cactus, they do not have dangerous thorns.

Landscaping Around Above-Ground Pools

While in-ground pools have a rim of cement decking, above-ground pools do not. That means, before you decide on any plants, you'll need to decide what to surround them with. Several inches of gravel or decorative rock around the pool is a popular option. However, before you lay down any rock, put down a layer of landscaping fabric to prevent weeds. The rock should extend two or three feet from the pool.

Not only does the decorative rock look attractive, but it also allows for evaporation. This keeps water from building up around and under the pool. Once you have your rock laid out, you can plant it around the perimeter of the gravel. You can place potted plants around the pool too. Potted plants also give you the option to change your landscaping seasonally.

When you’re planning the landscaping for your above-ground pool, talk to your installation company about which plants work best for your area and style of pool. They can give you specific advice for what will work well in your yard.

With some research into the best plants for your region, your pool's landscaping will not only create an oasis but will also be relatively low maintenance.

Organizing a Birthday Party on a Budget

We partnered with a costume company. for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

There’s nothing more joyous than watching the look of excitement and happiness on a child’s face as they celebrate their birthday. From the cake to the presents, marking each milestone with a celebration is something that both parents and children enjoy. For the former, however, there’s a lot that goes into planning a party, especially if you want to stay within your budget. 

Are you looking to organize the perfect birthday party without breaking the bank? If so, here are some excellent tips that will help you plan a birthday party on a budget. 

Create a Checklist of Items You Will Need for Your Party

The best way to ensure your child’s party goes off without a hitch is to plan out everything ahead of time. But what exactly do you need to include on your checklist of items to plan out or purchase? Let’s dive into a few key items that every birthday party should have. 

• Cake: The cake is one of the most essential items to take care of in advance. Ask your child what flavor they’d like and make sure that you place an order with your local bakery in plenty of time for the party. 

• Entertainment: Whether it’s clowns, live music, magicians, or even travelling zoos, hiring kids party entertainers is a must if you want to keep both children and parents fully engaged throughout the celebration.

• You might want to think about incorporating a themed costume aspect into your celebration, allowing parents to join the fun by donning pirate outfits or whimsical fairy attire, adding an extra layer of fun without breaking the budget.

• Decorations and Supplies: No party is complete without themed birthday party supplies. Once you and your child have settled on the theme, create a shopping list of items like candles, napkins, paper plates and bowls, balloons, streamers, banners, and tablecloths (plus whatever else you may need). 

• Seating: For the most part, you may have room in your dining area to seat children. However, you’ll likely need to purchase some additional folding tables and chairs if you plan on using your backyard space or inviting more people than you currently have furniture for. If you really want to go above and beyond, you can even get your child their own custom furniture to help them celebrate their birthday in style. 

Why is planning the above so crucial to your budget? When you know what you need to look for, you’re better suited to compare different options to find one that’s most affordable. Once you have this list in hand, you’re ready to find the budget-friendly products you need!

Prepare Your Space for Your Guests 

The appearance of your home plays a major role in how your adult guests perceive you. Every adult wants to have a kid-friendly space that’s organized and clutter-free. The problem? Getting started in your organizational journey can seem like a major feat. Fortunately, every journey begins with a single step!

Take some time to create an organizational strategy that will help you get your belongings organized, develop child-friendly systems so that everyone in your household can clear clutter more effectively, and create a space that you and your guests will love. Who knows? You may even find some items you need for the birthday party that will save you some money you may have otherwise spent on new supplies. 

Come Up With Your Gift Ideas Ahead of Time

Having a birthday gift list for other parents helps them pick out the perfect gift for your child. However, you also need to think about what you may be getting for your child’s birthday as well. The sooner you come up with ideas, the sooner you can find discounts that help you stay within budget. Whether you’re looking for the basics like a charming birthday card or something more personal like a framed birthday picture, there are plenty of great, affordable gift ideas out there that your child will love. 

Feel Free to Get Creative With the Invites

Once your house has been organized for the event, you’ve gotten all the items on your checklist, and you’ve sent out gift ideas and purchased your own gifts, the only thing left to do is to send out official invitations. Invites to birthday parties are the most affordable aspect of party planning as you can easily send out e-vites with your favorite pictures to save money on physical invitations that could potentially get lost. 

Then, you can use the money that you saved to purchase something that highlights your child’s big day, like a custom picture frame with their best picture to showcase when parents arrive.

Planning a birthday party for your child should be anything but stressful. If you want to make sure that you’re organized, prepared, and ready to stay within your budget, use the birthday planning guide above to plan ahead for the big day!