Qld crimewave sparks increase in requests for panic rooms in homes

Forget pools, panic rooms are now on buyer’s shopping lists as Queensland homehunters seek security above all else.

Jacob Nicholson from Electronic Living installs security cameras at a property in Cleveland. Picture: David Clark.

QUEENSLAND homehunters are seeking safety above all else, sellers are spruiking hi-tech intruder deterrants, and security features are now standard in new builds — with requests for panic rooms increasing.

Brisbane real estate agents say top-notch security features such as alarm systems and cameras have become the most requested items by buyers, with many fleeing fancy houses in the suburbs for high-security units in the wake of the city’s crime wave.

A front door video security intercom. Image supplied by Electronic Living.

Exclusive data from online tradie marketplace, hipages, reveals Queensland in the past year has recorded a 58 per cent increase in security doors being installed and 50 per cent increase in security fencing.

Luke Rissman of Rissman Property said security had become a top priority for buyers, with security cameras, 24-hour concierges, and double-layer secure garages high on the list of must-haves.

“I’ve really noticed an increase in the past 12 months, particularly in high-end buyers selling their houses and moving to lock-up-and-leave apartments,” Mr Rissman said. “It’s just the crime.”

Perimeter security cameras are fitted to this home. Image supplied by Electronic Living.

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Mr Rissman said sellers of homes with high-end amenities and security measures were also more likely to attract higher prices and grow in value.

Security has become a major selling point in advertising a home for sale, with a Hope Island home on the Gold Coast boasting ‘24-hour security’ and a ‘world-standard QVS CCTV security system’.

Damian and Anissa Cavanagh run smart home company, Electronic Living. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

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Smart home solution company Electronic Living managing director Damian Cavanagh said he had noticed an increase in clients requesting panic rooms, with his team installing six in Brisbane homes in the past year.

One Burbank home he worked on had its master ensuite equipped with the technology to be converted into a safe room if an intruder entered the house.

A close-up of a smart phone security application.

“There is a heightened consciousness around security with people building the dream home,” he said.

Mr Cavanagh said every project he worked on required some kind of security measure — compared to only a handful 10 years ago.

This four-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Hendra is advertised with an alarm system, security door garage and CCTV cameras installed throughout the home. 

“We’re definitely run off our feet,” he said. “It has now become the top-of-the-list priority for people building new homes.

“(Crime is) on the news every night. Every suburb is being hit, particularly in the affluent areas where there’s much more to lose.”

This four-bedroom, three bedroom home in Mitchelton is advertised with a double lock-up garage, CCTV on the exterior, and a Bosch 6000 alarm system. 

Brisbane real estate agent Ben Cannon, who rushed to the aid of rugby union legend Toutai Kefu during a terrifying home invasion in August 2021, said security had become a top priority for buyers looking for a home in the past 12 to 18 months.

“Certainly, it’s a question that was not raised before,” Mr Cannon said. “Now people are openly asking about it.

This five-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Pallara is advertised with roller blinds and security screens throughout. Also included is an alarm system. 

“They will even budget for it when they purchase. They’ll say things like; ‘We like it, but we’re going to have to add Crimsafe and put in a front fence.”

Happy Haus managing director Lachlan Grant said improvements in technology and accessibility had made home security features a top priority for clients building a new home.

Ben Cannon, real estate agent and the community hero who confronted violent teenagers during the assault of his neighbours, the Kefu family in 2021. Photo: Samantha Scott.

“We’re seeing more cameras, keyless entry, intercom systems — all with the ability to be monitored from a smart phone,” Mr Grant said.

“People are certainly looking for more in their homes in general and security is high on that list.”

This five-bedroom house in Hope Island boasts ‘24-hour security’.

He said it was also more cost-effective to install security during the build stage, rather than retrofitting an existing home, with an entry-level security package starting from $2500.

For those who want to spend big to stay safe, a Brisbane apartment project has been built with in-home ‘sky garages’ to offer the ultimate in security.

Rod and Gemma Walker with their son, Harrison, at their home in Chelmer. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Residents of Spyre Group’s ‘Moray House’ development in New Farm will be able to pull in off the street, enter a remote-control operated car lift, and drive into their own garage in their apartments.

Rod and Gemma Walker, who moved into their new home in Chelmer in June, made sure security cameras and security screens were installed when they designed it with Happy Haus.

A render of one of the 'sky garages' in Spyre Group's 'Moray House' apartment project being built in Brisbane. Image supplied.

“(Crime is) everywhere,” Mr Walker said. “It’s very common to hear about it on our community pages, and see footage posted by neighbours.”

Mr Walker said they also designed their five-bedroom, three-bathroom forever home in a manner that would deter criminals.

“The front of our house is very open and the side gate has been designed to make it more difficult to get in,” he said.

Originally published as Qld crimewave sparks increase in requests for panic rooms in homes