PRIVATE lives
The security features that matter most to high-end homebuyers today.
For many of today’s wealthy homebuyers, concerns about safety and privacy shape purchase decisions as much as location and price. Discreet architectural design, gated access and advanced technology-driven security features are increasingly in demand.
According to a July 2025 survey by the independent research site SafeWise, which tests and reviews home security products, break-ins remain the leading property crime concern.1 However, data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation shows that home burglaries have actually declined by at least 68% in the U.S. over the past three decades, SafeWise reported in August 2025.2
Such concerns aren’t limited to the U.S.—they are also fueling substantial growth in the global home security market. The worldwide spend on “smart” home security is estimated to reach US$39 billion by 2029, according to a July 2025 report by market research firm Statista, with the number of households having some form of “smart” security installed reaching an estimated 1.1 billion by 2029.3
In response to homebuyers’ privacy worries, some real estate agents are taking proactive measures. They may run listings without street numbers or remove all online presence of a property at the close of escrow.
Nick Damianos, global real estate advisor, Bahamas Sotheby’s International Realty, stays ahead of client preferences using market research to track adoption trends of various smart home technologies, including closed-circuit television (CCTV) and intrusion detection, and keeps a close eye on new systems as they become available.
Global security
Statista, “Security—Worldwide,” July 2025
Estimated total market value for home security worldwide by 2029
The number of households estimated to have some form of “smart” security in their home by 2029
Designers respond to security demands
Beyond the data, Damianos turns to architects who design for ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clients. “They have to stay at the forefront of what’s involved in terms of security considerations,” he says.
In the Bahamas, property market buyers most often ask to see single-family homes or estates in gated communities. These provide the benefit of added privacy with the same level of service as condominiums with concierges. “You get 24/7 security staff, patrols and monitored entries, plus land and sea perimeter surveillance,” Damianos adds.
Sometimes he rules out showing certain properties, such as older estates built before gated communities became a reality, if they are on a public beach or near a resort. Even properties that might seem ideal—private islands, for example—can pose challenges. “Celebrities often feel safe on islands because they are some of the only places in the world where they can be sure they’re not going to be bothered by anyone,” Damianos says. “But an island can be more difficult to secure than a house in a gated community.”
According to the 2026 Sotheby’s International Realty agent survey, visibility onto a property was high on the list of security and privacy considerations voiced by luxury homebuyers, with nearly 44% of respondents ranking it as the top concern among clients.
Columbia House is a canal-front retreat in the gated community of Lyford Cay in the Bahamas.
Bahamas Sotheby’s International Realty
Security concerns among homebuyers
Source: 2026 Sotheby’s International Realty agent survey
of Sotheby’s International Realty affiliated agents said security and privacy was a top concern for homebuyers
said homebuyers were concerned about visibility onto the property
said homebuyers asked about external security including CCTV, barriers and intrusion detection
said homebuyers wanted backup power systems
“One of the first things I look at on a property is the sight lines,” Damianos says. “Where can people in public spaces, whether on a road or on the sea, easily see into the property?” In the Bahamas, buyers may have to weigh the benefits of privacy against ocean views, he adds. “Strategic landscaping is probably the best way to achieve the best of both worlds. If you’ve got a long winding driveway, you could put in landscaping or trees so the house is not visible from the road. It is also quite common for homebuyers to buy two adjacent lots.”
External security also ranked high among homebuyers’ concerns, according to 44% of agents surveyed. As a general rule, multistory homes are easier to secure than single-story designs because there are usually fewer ground-level access points. This architectural feature alone can influence buying choices.
“The accessibility of security measures, especially CCTV, is widespread, and the majority of homes I sell have some form of it,” says Neyshia Go, global real estate advisor, Sotheby’s International Realty - Beverly Hills Brokerage. Infrared sensors or perimeter laser beams can be paired with security cameras to detect heat signatures as well as movement.
The global market for security cameras was estimated to have reached US$17.2 billion in 2025, according to a July 2025 report from Statista, with revenue expected to grow annually by 8.83%. It is predicted to reach US$24.2 billion by 2029, with 578.5 million households expected to have security cameras.4
Alongside exterior protection, interior monitoring and security was an important feature for homebuyers, according to the agent survey, with 19% of respondents citing this as a common concern. Michael Martinez, global real estate advisor, ONE Sotheby’s International Realty in Miami, Florida, has seen indoor cameras at the entry points of homes in his market, which includes the high-end neighborhoods of Pinecrest and Coral Gables. “In a two-story house they’ll put a camera by the staircase,” Martinez says. “If somebody comes in on the ground level, the owner can monitor this on their phone or tablet.”
Backup power pays off
While making sure a home is secure inside and out is key, functional issues are also top of the agenda for many homeowners. The second-most-frequent concern identified in the agent survey, at 35%, was having a backup power system, a feature that is nearly ubiquitous in the storm-prone Bahamas. “At the high end we see people having dual-fuel generator systems with propane backups for redundancy,” Damianos says. “People are also adding solar arrays with battery storage.”
The desire for such features is not limited to the Bahamas—buyers in parts of Southern California are also prioritizing standby power systems. In Malibu, Calabasas and other windy areas of California, there is growing demand for compact solar battery systems, such as the Tesla Powerwall.
“If you’re going to live in neighborhoods that are more prone to power outages, it’s really important to get backup generators,” says Go. Her clients have found solar backup systems are a viable alternative to more traditional diesel, natural gas or propane generators. “It means you won’t run out of power, because every day it recharges your energy supply.”
Besides the peace of mind of having an immediate power source, she cites a property value advantage to such a system. “I think they are worthy investments and great for resale. Homes with backup generators and alternative energy systems definitely demand a higher price point.”
This gated Tuscan-style estate in the Lower Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, is surrounded by citrus groves, olive trees and sophisticated landscaping, giving it a feeling of privacy.
Sotheby’s International Realty - Beverly Hills Brokerage
Taking a high-tech, holistic approach
For more robust protection, some homeowners go a step further and build a secure space that can be used for many different purposes—as a panic room or to store jewelry and important documents. “Even the staff who work in the house often don’t know the room exists because it’s behind a closet or heavy clothing or disguised by a bookshelf,” Martinez says.
Bespoke safe and panic rooms are especially popular in Europe and the U.S., according to a comprehensive June 2025 report by market research firm Valuates, which predicts a compound annual growth rate of 7.6% through 2031 for the industry.5 Among major global providers are Fortified Estate, Henleys Security Doors and Bespoke Home & Yacht Security, which offer armored doors and fortified walls that can be incorporated into new-builds or the retrofit of a closet, bedroom or office. U.K.-based Henleys makes wooden security doors that have concealed solid steel cores and can be customized to replicate any interior or exterior wood finish—even “the high-gloss finish of Number 10 Downing Street,” according to its website.
Alongside physical reinforcements, technology-enabled access systems are becoming more sophisticated and readily available. Fingerprint recognition systems are growing in popularity, and there is increased integration with other smart home devices. Facial recognition, already in wide use for phones, computers and other personal devices, is also an option, as are voice or iris recognition systems.
Other interior deterrents Martinez sees in Florida’s luxury homes are central alarm systems with remote cellular backup that can call the local police in the event of a break-in. Reinforced building materials, such as glass designed to withstand winds of up to 180 miles per hour, are also common. “Impact glass is much harder to break than a regular window,” Martinez says. “If you take a baseball bat to it, you may crack the glass, but you’re not going to be able to put your hand through and turn the dial on a lock.”
While biometric entry, CCTV and gated community access can deter thieves and may help in an investigation after a loss, they are not usually required for insurance purposes and won’t necessarily command a discount, says Nick Kiniry, a client advisor with World Insurance Private Client Group. However, a centrally monitored fire and burglar alarm system may be required by insurance companies for homes above a certain value.
Kiniry suggests buyers take a holistic view. “Rather than just meeting the requirement by having a burglar or fire alarm, people should really be thinking beyond that to provide additional layers of protection and mitigate any loss,” he says.
This broader approach to protection extends beyond physical threats. While only 9% of Sotheby’s International Realty affiliated agents surveyed mentioned cybersecurity as a concern among homeowners, in Damianos’s market it is a widespread concern.
“We get a lot of high-profile fund managers and people who are very big in the financial industry,” he says. “High-speed internet access is very important for them, as well as the safety of their connection. A lot of these people will install ‘enterprise-grade’ firewalls or private networks to protect the financial data they may be handling.”
Safety is a selling point
Technology, however, is only part of the picture. The need for space for private security personnel was identified by 12% of those surveyed. “We do see the need for space a lot more with celebrity clients, who often have an entourage—not just for security posts but for sleeping quarters as well,” Martinez says.
Celebrity and UHNW clients may also send in a team to conduct a pre-purchase security audit, flying in experts to examine the area and the property and to determine exit or extraction strategies in case of an emergency.
Even with all the devices and safeguards available, Martinez starts by arming his Florida buyers with information about the surrounding area. “They want to know about the neighborhood, the local police department and any existing concerns,” he says. His buyers tend to favor incorporated neighborhoods with their own police departments or gated communities with guarded entry points and roving security.
Street location can play a role in deciding where to buy, Martinez adds. Some clients shy away from intersections due to higher visibility, while others prefer the added activity and accessibility of a more visible location.
Considering local regulations is important too. Go is well versed in the building codes across different neighborhoods in her Beverly Hills, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara territories. Some areas have maximum height limits for gates and fences, while others don’t permit gates at all.
“If you’re a high-profile or celebrity client, I’m going to dissuade you from a couple of neighborhoods that I know aren’t going to allow you the security you desire,” she says.
At the end of the day, properly addressing buyer concerns can have a financial payoff for the home seller, Martinez says. “In my experience, gated entrances, full-perimeter surveillance, impact windows and privacy landscaping can drive faster sales and stronger offers. These features can help eliminate days on the market, and in some cases even command a higher price per square foot.”
As privacy concerns continue driving luxury home purchases, buyers who prioritize security features early in their search—from backup power systems to biometric access controls—are positioning themselves ahead of a trend that is reshaping the high-end market.
Keeping an eye on your property
Source: Statista, “Smart Security Cameras—Worldwide,” July 2025
Estimated global market value for security cameras in 2025
The number of households worldwide expected to have security cameras installed by 2029
More from the report
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