How to Evaluate the Visibility of Your Residence from the Street

When filling out your Fortify Form after purchasing your Fortify Plan, it’s crucial to assess how visible your home is from the street. The visibility of your home impacts security measures, affecting everything from privacy to potential break-in risks. Understanding the different levels of visibility—whether your home is fully visible or not visible at all—helps tailor your Fortify Plan to your specific needs. This guide will walk you through how to evaluate your residence visibility from the street to complete your Fortify Form accurately.

1. Fully Visible Home

A fully visible home is one where the entire property, including entrances and key areas, is easily seen from the street. This level of visibility can increase security, as neighbors and passersby can observe any suspicious activity. However, it can also reduce privacy, making your home more exposed to potential threats.

Fully Visible Home Characteristics:

  • Front entrances, windows, and most of the property are visible from the street.
  • Limited obstructions such as fences, walls, or heavy foliage.
  • Higher exposure to passersby and street traffic.

Street-Facing Home Security Considerations:

  • A fully visible home benefits from exterior lighting and visible security cameras, as these can act as deterrents to criminals.
  • However, be mindful of the lack of privacy, which may require additional privacy features such as blinds or fencing.

If your home is fully visible from the street, make sure to note this in your Fortify Form, so your security plan includes recommendations for managing both security and privacy.

2. Moderately Visible House

A moderately visible house is partially visible from the street, with some areas of the home exposed while other sections are obscured by landscaping, fences, or architectural features. This level of visibility offers a balance between security and privacy.

Moderately Visible House Characteristics:

  • Some entrances or windows are visible from the street, while others may be hidden by trees or fencing.
  • The front yard is visible, but the backyard or side areas may not be.
  • Offers partial privacy while still allowing for some natural surveillance from neighbors.

Moderate Visibility and Security:

  • You may want to focus on increasing visibility of key areas, such as entrances, while maintaining privacy for other parts of the house.
  • Street-facing home security features, such as motion-sensor lights and strategically placed cameras, are beneficial in moderately visible homes.

If your home is moderately visible, include this detail in your Fortify Form to ensure your security plan addresses both exposed and hidden areas of the property.

3. Poorly Visible Residence

A poorly visible residence is mostly hidden from the street. While this provides a high degree of privacy, it can also make the home more attractive to intruders since there’s less chance of being seen by neighbors or passersby.

Poorly Visible Residence Characteristics:

  • Entrances, windows, and large portions of the property are obscured from the street by landscaping, walls, or other structures.
  • Limited street view of the home’s main access points, making it more challenging to see suspicious activity.

Visibility and Security for Poorly Visible Homes:

  • Increase security measures such as installing strong outdoor lighting, using motion detectors, and placing security cameras at entrances and hidden areas.
  • Consider trimming back any foliage or landscaping that obscures key entry points to increase visibility without sacrificing privacy.

If your residence is poorly visible from the street, it’s important to note this on your Fortify Form, as the security plan should focus on compensating for the lack of natural surveillance with enhanced security features.

4. Not Visible from the Street

A residence that is not visible from the street is completely hidden from view due to its location, heavy landscaping, or fences. While this provides maximum privacy, it also presents significant security challenges, as the home is entirely out of sight from neighbors and pedestrians.

Not Visible from Street Characteristics:

  • No portion of the home, including entrances or windows, can be seen from the street.
  • The property may be tucked away behind large fences, tall trees, or be set back far from the road.

Security Concerns for Homes Not Visible from the Street:

  • Homes that are not visible from the street require advanced security measures, such as alarm systems, gated entries, and surveillance cameras to monitor activity.
  • Ensure all entry points are well-lit, and consider reinforcing doors and windows to prevent undetected break-ins.

If your home is not visible from the street, be sure to indicate this in your Fortify Form so your security plan can include enhanced measures to protect a residence that is entirely hidden from public view.