Your home isn’t just a place to live for today; it’s also an investment for tomorrow. When thinking of making upgrades and additions to your home now, it’s also wise to think about how they will impact your possible resale value. Changes you make today could lead to a positive return on investment (ROI) when the day comes that you decide to sell.
There are plenty of remodeling projects and upgrades that can impact the resale value of your home, but none have the impact of installing smart home technologies. Indeed, these features can make your home stand out in a hot market so you can make even more than the average sale price! However, no matter how excited you are to kick off home automation, be sure you know the answers to a few important questions using this helpful guide from Ross Mortgage Company.
What Is a Smart Home?
A smart home controls automated lighting, climate, entertainment systems, appliances, and home security systems. When connected to the internet, users can control these devices with an app on their smartphones or similar devices. According to PCMag, the Nest Smart Home system is one of the most popular systems on the market. When you are working late into the night, one tap on your phone will remotely activate the lights in any room of your house. This can make it look like someone is home, for security reasons, but also makes sure you walk into a cozy, well-lit home at the end of a long day.
Smart home automation goes even further; a lot of smart technology on the market can learn your behaviors. For example, if you are consistently turning the thermostat to 72 degrees at 5:30 p.m. on weekdays, your smart thermostat will start adjusting the temperature automatically. More than half of millennials want smart home technology, which means that when you decide to put your home on the market, this is the audience you may be catering to.
Which Smart Home Technologies Provide the Best ROI?
Your first decision with smart home technology should reflect your needs and wants. What would be convenient for you and your family? With various types of smart tech you can:
- Watch over your children and pets
- Protect your home from fire, floods, break-ins, and other dangers
- Talk to someone at your front door, no matter where you are
- Reduce your energy bills
- Remotely control home functions
Clearly, smart home technology can do a lot for you, but what can it do for the value of your home? Well, like most things involved in selling a home, it depends on the buyer. Parents with young kids might appreciate smart locks, which make opening your front door easier when your arms are full, and gives you full control of the locks with your device.
People who own pets might appreciate a smart home security system that can tell the difference between their dog’s movements and those of an intruder. An online shopping junkie could get excited over a video doorbell, which would inform them of the exact moment when a package is dropped off.
The ROI of smart home technology may rely on appealing to a variety of needs and wants, but, truth be told, in today’s golden age of the Internet of Things, any tech enthusiast will love and value smart home technology.
How Do I Install Smart Home Tech?
While it may look easy to set up your own smart home system, there are plenty of good reasons to get a professional involved. Some homeowners have to hardwire in a new smart thermostat if they replace their old model. That may sound easy, but it requires more-than-basic electrical know-how. Hiring a professional electrician to install items like a smart thermostat, security system, or fire alarm can be reasonably priced.
You might think of smart home technology as a practical home solution for better living right now, but it is also a practical investment for the future. Making your home future-proof adds value beyond the safety and security that comes with this technology. Home automation is exciting; see what it can do for you and your family today, and for your home’s resale value tomorrow.