2edgesword wrote:
The only thing I'd add to RobWNY's post is put in a camera system that you can remotely access via the internet. They're not that expensive (Arlo set-up is about $500) so you can real-time view your home inside and out depending on where you set-up the cameras. Sensor in the system can also trigger recording if anyone approaches or enters your home.
I just put Amazon Cloud cams in our home, and have been very pleased with the setup. In my case, I can tell the cameras to ignore motion in certain zones (like where the dogs would walk by) - and I have one set just looking out a window so I can watch it snow :-)