High-priced home security systems are being promoted in a variety of ways. In many cases, they just aren't worth the cost, in my opinion.

I recently received several automated phone calls saying "This is an urgent alert call. There have been several home burglaries in your area."

After listening to it, I discovered it was nothing than another promotion for a home security system.

Actually, there are very effective steps you can take that can effectively secure your home, at no or very little expense. Here are a few tips suggested by Wikipedia:

"Home security is something applicable to all of us and involves the security hardware in place on a property, and personal security practices. The hardware would be the doors, locks, alarm systems, lighting, motion detectors, and security cameras systems that are installed on your property.

"Personal security practices would be ensuring doors are locked, alarms activated, windows closed, extra keys not hidden outside and many other routine tasks which act to prevent a burglary. According to an FBI report 58.3 percent of burglaries involved forcible entry."

The report also points out what a home burglar looks for and how long it takes to carry out the crime.

"A typical burglary lasts for about 8 to 12 minutes and on average a burglar will break into a home within 60 seconds. Home security can be strengthened by adding a first line of defence like a thorny shrub or bush to give the burglar a hard time.

"In order to protect the entry points, we need to have window and door sensors. Once a burglar gets past the second line of defense, motion detectors kick in. Common security methods include never hiding extra keys outside, never turning off all the lights, applying small CCTV stickers on doors, and keeping good tabs with neighbours."

Q: Are mortgage rates dropping to all-time lows?

A: The rates are approaching that historic point. Freddie Mac released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey, showing average fixed mortgage rates dropping further to new 2016 lows in the wake of the Brexit vote.

At 3.41 percent, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is just 10 basis points from its November 2012 all-time record low of 3.31 percent.

Sean Becketti, chief economist, Freddie Mac, made this comment:

"Continuing fallout from the Brexit vote drove Treasury yields lower again this week. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage followed Treasury yields, falling 7 basis points to 3.41 percent in this week's survey. Mortgage rates have now dropped 15 basis points over the past two weeks, leaving them only 10 basis points above the all-time low."

Q: Considering the low mortgage rates, when will applications surge ahead?

A: That might be starting now. Here's a recent release from the Mortgage Bankers Association:

"Mortgage applications increased 14.2 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the MBA's Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey.

"Interest rates continued to drop last week as markets assessed the impact of Brexit, downgrading the likelihood of additional rate hikes by the Fed, and mortgage rates for 30-year conforming loans dropped to their lowest level in over 3 years," said Mike Fratantoni, MBA's Chief Economist.

"In response, refinance application volume jumped almost 21 percent last week to its highest level since January 2015." The refinance share of mortgage activity increased to 61.6 percent of total applications, the highest level since February 2016, from 58.1 percent the previous week."

Q: Are refinance mortgages increasing?

A: One major firm is reporting sharp increases in refinance loans. Refinance mortgage requests on Zillow jumped 132 percent, compared to activity the previous week.

The firm also noted increases in purchase mortgages, but just by 24 percent. Even after the immediate panic of the vote receded and the flight to bonds' safety has eased, home loan rates continue to drop and mortgage request activity has maintained its momentum: this week, according to a news release.

To find out more about Jim Woodard and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com. Jim Woodard's email: storyjim@aol.com. COPYRIGHT 2016 CREATORS.COM.

30-

Photo credit: Joanna Poe