In a recent Forbes article, Missed A Package Again? Apps Bring Service-Style Living To Non-Doorman Buildings real estate contributor Heather Senison reports on a security tech wave, very familiar to us here at Paragon.

Living in the city offers many unique challenges. For residents, managers and owners of non-service buildings, with no doorman, missed package deliveries and broken entryway buzzers are among the top. Luckily, major advances in wireless security technology are opening a multitude of affordable smart solutions for buildings, both new or old. Here’s some of what they shared:

Apps Offer Convenience and Control

The app Carson, for example, allows those who live in the city’s beloved little walk-ups to manage everything from paying their rent to opening the door downstairs and requesting repairs in their apartments on their phones.

“All of these things can now be done from a smart device and there’s still the security of having a doorman,” explained Andrew Barrocas, CEO of the brokerage MNS, which has Carson installed in roughly 20 of its New York City buildings.

For these NYC residents, especially those who make heavy use of on-demand deliveries, mobile apps like Carson and keyless entry systems provide remarkable control and convenience. Log records show the times and dates of all comings and goings of your home. So teenagers can’t sneak in after curfew and babysitters, dog walkers and cleaning people can be better monitored.

Apps Put Security In The Palm Of Your Hand

With startups like Cyberdoorman already around for more than a decade, there is an ever-increasing variety of virtual service apps to choose from. And, like all technological platforms, they’re seemingly constantly being updated. But property owners can easily change their minds about which services to provide, Barrocas said, since making changes no longer requires breaking through walls to switch out wires.

“Before, it was a big overhaul to have to change the current systems inside a building,” he said. “Now it’s just wireless and all you need is an internet connection.”

These apps and systems can be integrated to work with wireless locks, intercoms, cloud-based cameras, thermostats and more, all from a single dashboard. Access control systems allow you to control who and when doors can be unlocked, no matter where you are. Entry to specific locations of your home can be narrowed down by person, day of the week, and time of day, using biometic or proximity devices.

The gap between service and non-service affects property owners too, as those with staff in their buildings can charge hefty premiums for the conveniences they provide.

According to recent data from the real estate listings site StreetEasy, Manhattan buildings with doormen charge an average of 8.4% more in rents and 15.8% more for sales prices than those without them. That means a $1,500 a month rental could be raised to roughly $1,620 if it comes with a doorman. Meanwhile, the equivalent of a non-service apartment with a $400,000 price tag could cost about $464,000 in a service building.

However, just like not everyone can afford to live in a doorman building, not all landlords have the means to hire staff. According to StreetEasy, 46% of Manhattan rentals currently don’t have doormen. Those who own apartments are even less likely to have them, as 73% of the city’s condos and c0-ops are non-service, the site found.

But while letting in the cat-sitter and house-cleaner while you’re at work can cause quite a headache, the biggest issue for buildings without staff is security, noted Angel Guzman, managing director of new development rentals with the brokerage Citi Habitats.

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Innovations in digital technology and security make it possible for cities like New York to keep ahead of the curve. Advanced security providers like Paragon, turn these innovations into reality for residents, offices, apartment managers, retail businesses, developers, hospitals, schools and city facilities throughout the five boroughs and beyond. The best way to remain secure in the city that never sleeps is working with a qualified, locally trusted security provider.

Combining locksmith services with a variety of advanced security solutions, such as access control, high security locks systems, surveillance cameras and alarms, can help create a holistic protection strategy. Paragon Security has been proudly serving customers all across the city including in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and elsewhere in NYC for over 25 years. Don’t miss out on the experience of new locks and keys with the Paragon Security move-in special. Call today for more details (646) 506-4422.