5 Smart Upgrades That Boost Your Home’s Appeal
From money-saving gadgets to devices that provide an extra level of security, it’s easy to see why smart-home technology is becoming more and more popular. In fact, it can even increase the appeal of your home to potential buyers should you plan to sell.
Here are five smart upgrades that can potentially add value to your home and make life a little easier in the process.
Thermostat – You’ve heard that you can adjust the temperature of your home from your smart phone, but the technology doesn’t stop there. The newest thermostats will go so far as to learn your habits – when you’re usually at home and at what times of day you change the temperature – so they can make adjustments automatically.
Lighting – Control your home’s lighting from your phone or voice control device (looking at you, Alexa) with a smart lighting system. Philips Hue is one of the most popular systems, giving you full control over every aspect of lighting so you can create the right mood for any moment. By simply replacing your existing light bulbs with Philips Hue, you can do everything from change colors to set timers that control the lights remotely so it seems like someone is home.
Doorbell – Gone are the days of “ding-dong-ditching” thanks to smart doorbells. With video cameras and intercoms, these gadgets allow you to see who’s ringing your doorbell through your phone. While most smart doorbells have two-way talk functionality and motion detectors, others like the Nest Hello take it a step further with facial-recognition technology.
Keyless entry – Can’t find your keys? We’ve all been there – and that’s why products like the August Smart Lock come in handy. Automatically lock and unlock your door as you leave or approach your home, and keep track of who’s coming and going with a 24/7 activity log. You can also give your guests keyless entry through the August app so you never have to hide (or lose) another key under the doormat again.
Smoke/carbon monoxide detectors – Homeowners rarely test smoke alarms as often as recommended, but that’s not a problem with smoke/carbon monoxide detectors like the Nest Protect which do all the work for you. The Nest Protect not only performs tests automatically, but also alerts your phone to tell you if there’s danger and lets you use hush those irritating false alarms when you’re cooking dinner.
For more advice on how to prep your home for sale or increase its marketability, click here to read more on our blog or contact an agent any time.
Hello Amy Corr,
I’m beginning to realize that my life as a newer @properties real estate broker would be so much more fun and productive if I would simply stop overthinking everything and every situation!
After I read your wonderful blog referencing 5 smart upgrades that WILL add value, not “potentially” add value, is such a quintessential example of how to gain trust and confidence in a prospective client because, I believe, one of the main concerns, if not THE main concern whether renting or purchasing a property is in SAFETY/ SECURITY; the K.I.S.S.(sweetheart) Theory; Thank you for citing a perfect example to us as professional real estate brokers that all it takes is “good thinking” ; these 5 smart upgrades are a “smart” way to capture the trust of your client!!!
I, also, believe that the distinguishing factors that can separate us as @properties brokers are “all in the details”. If a prospective renter or purchaser visually sees that your client (maybe on your suggestion!) is most concerned about SAFETY/SECURITY, it becomes a valuable factor in choosing your property over another.