You walk through your front door and get the feeling something's amiss. The hair on the back of your neck stands up as you realize your belongings have been gone through. Your heart sinks, knowing your home has been violated, your privacy breached and your sense of peace shattered. For many homeowners and even renters, the best way to bring back a sense of being comfortable in their own home is to invest in a security system.

Rushing out and buying a security system right after a big incident, or even before one if fear is the motivation, can result in a purchase you might not be happy with. A home security system is a great way to make sure you home is protected year-round whether your in it or not, but buying a system that's too complicated or one you won't use certainly won't do you any good.

Before heading out and investing in the first system you see, there are some things to consider.

The first thing to do is take an inventory of your home. Look at windows and doors and decide how many and which ones need to be included in the system. Scout the house for the best locations for control panels and keypads. Many people put these right by the front door, but there are locations that are great for secondary ones, too. Imagine being caught in your bedroom late at night and hearing what sounds like a burglar ... wouldn't a panic switch come in handy?

Now's a good time to also decide if you want a system that's monitored around the clock and to think about what kind of monitoring will be done. There are some services that keep an eye on your home around the clock and there are basic services that simply dial for help when there's a problem. Things that can be watched include security, fire and even carbon monoxide.

If your family is active and has people afoot at all hours of the night, this will likely determine what kind of system you choose. Motion detectors will likely cause problems if you're up a lot or animals are around that can trip them when there really isn't a problem. However, there might still remain locations where motion sensors would be beneficial.

Once you have determined the basic layout a system should take, it's time to shop for the best home security system you can find. Shop around and see what different companies are offering and how close they come to meeting your needs. Some companies will sell you the security equipment and offer monitoring on a monthly fee basis. Others give the equipment out for free if a monitoring contract is signed.

Shop around and go with what system makes you comfortable. Remember, a security system that makes a lot of noise or even one that turns on lights at set times of the day or night can help further deter burglars. The best system, however, is the one that gives you peace of mind and enables you to contact help quickly in the case of an emergency.