Are you curious about home automation? It seems that every year there is a new device or gadget aimed at making life a little easier around your home. While home automation can be a fun addition, when you are thinking of buying or selling, it helps to know how smart tech upgrades will impact the process. Whether you are looking at the housing market or just want to live a little more comfortably, here are some basics around home automation.
Current Home Automation Trends
If you look at the different kinds of home technology, it’s obvious that our homes are getting a little smarter every year. The last Consumer Electronics Show (CES) showcased some of the top new home technologies on the market. From alternatives to satellite and cable to robot dogs, there is a new gadget for every interest, as well as every price range. However, some of the most popular home automation technologies are probably ones you have heard of before. Smart televisions and appliances often top the list, but homeowners also seem interested in devices that help them maintain temperature, save on water and energy usage, and make life a little easier on a daily basis. Looking at these lists can also give you some insight into what drives consumer interest in home automation and help you decide what features to look for in a new home. Many people just love new technology, while others want to be eco-friendly. Keeping these motivations in mind can help you make smarter choices when it comes to adding gadgets and devices to your own home or property.
The Technologies That Add Value to Homes
Whether you are selling soon or sometime in the future, return on investment (ROI) should be at the front of your mind when making upgrades to your home. Knowing this can help you when buying as well. The average home in Marina del Rey has sold for around $1.05 million in the last month, so make sure you are choosing smart home accessories that will add to the value of your home. Some of the automation options that add value to your property include smart thermostats, lighting, and door locks. A wireless security system is also a wise choice and can help increase the value and demand for your home, especially for families. Many of the top home security systems are DIY options that help you avoid costly installations. However, for many smart home technologies, you may need to have a contractor come out to install outlets or perform other skilled work to integrate your smart systems safely into your home.
How Automation Benefits Homeowners
Even if selling your home is not on your mind, there are still benefits to adding smart features to your home. Technologies that offer energy savings are some of the most popular for current homeowners, and even switching to an Energy Star smart thermostat is a small change that can save you up to $900 a year. These thermostats are relatively simple to install and can make your home more comfortable for you as well. By learning your preferred temperature and adjusting according to efficient energy usage, these thermostats make it easy to manage heating and cooling in your home. Another smart move to give yourself peace of mind is to invest in automation that provides a little additional home security. Video doorbells, for example, are becoming increasingly popular in homes, and using one can give you peace of mind by knowing who is outside your home. These devices can be useful when you are away from home as well. As we rely more on technology, home automation is sure to gain popularity as the years go by. Knowing which gadgets add value to your home is important, but you should also think about how different devices can add value to your life as well. So, do your homework, look at some reviews, and spend some time deciding just how smart your home, or future home, should be.
One place to look is Safety.com, which has created an updated and comprehensive guide of video doorbells for 2020:
https://www.safety.com/video-doorbells/
Having a “smart home” myself, from lights, to TV sound bars, door locks, garage doors, and thermostats, this article was one that I could relate to entirely! Home automation products can be confusing, yet once connected, they really do help to make life easier.
This article was kindly contributed by Suzie Wilson, and if you would like to look at what she has offer, from stress-reducing interior decor, to preparing, staging and decorating a home for sale, visit her website at https://happierhome.net. She can help you to create the organized, peaceful sanctuary that you have been dreaming of! And don’t forget to look in to her new informative book: The Ultimate Guide to Prepping Your Home for an Open House.
Photo by Unsplash
