As technology advances, there has become an increasing demand for smart homes. Investopedia explains that “devices in a smart home are interconnected through the internet, allowing the user to control functions such as security access to the home, temperature, lighting, and [the] home theater remotely.” The appeal for smart homes is that they make life easier and help families save a lot of money on utilities.
Because of this, many homebuyers are looking for homes that already have smart home automation installed. In fact, most homebuyers are willing to spend more on a smart home than they are on a regular home. According to Peak Finance Company, over 70% of Americans want smart devices’ monitoring capabilities.
If you’re planning on selling a house in the near future, you should consider investing in smart home features to get a higher appraisal and sell your home for more. Here are some features that will give you the best return on investment and attract more buyers.
Lighting
One of the most inexpensive and easy-to-install smart home features is a smart lighting system. This is also something that will be appealing to buyers. Homeowners can save as much as 12 percent on energy bills with smart lighting features.
With smart lighting systems, buyers are able to control the lighting in their homes from anywhere. This helps save money because they can easily turn the lights off without having to walk around their house. Not to mention, smart lighting systems use LED bulbs, which automatically save much more energy than incandescent bulbs.
Also, smart lighting can make it look like someone is at home even when they are on vacation. They just have to set the lighting to turn off and one at particular times. This deters burglars who are looking to prey on homes while their owners are traveling.
Security System
When choosing a home, safety is one of the most important aspects for homebuyers, especially if they have families. Many families spend hours researching the safest neighborhoods for their children to grow up and go to school in. A smart home security system will help relieve any fears they might have about moving into a new area. Even homebuyers who aren’t specifically searching for smart home automation will be impressed by the knowledge that they will be able to monitor their home from anywhere. Installing a security system will give you the best ROI when it comes to smart home features.
There are several smart security automation you can choose from. The Ring Doorbell, for instance, allows you to see who is at your door at all times. It even captures real-time video footage, day or night. There are other smart security devices available, such as outdoor floodlight cameras, all-in-one home security systems, motion detectors, and contact sensors.
Heating and Cooling
Like a smart lighting system, a smart heating and cooling system will cut utility costs. Most buyers will find the savings attractive, especially considering how much people pay for heating and cooling their homes. A smart heating and cooling system usually includes a thermostat and smart vents that can be controlled remotely. These allow you to adjust settings from anywhere. This way, the new owner can save money while they’re away from home because the house won’t need to be heated or cooled as much.
Overall, buyers are more likely to buy homes that can offer them security and energy savings. In order to profit from installing these smart features, you should keep receipts to show appraisers. You should also be able to explain to potential buyers how the systems work and how they will help them in the long run.