Fresh paint on the walls, professional staging and an asking price that ends in 999 – when you’re selling your house, you’ll do whatever you can to help it stand out and sell faster. Since the National Association of Realtors is predicting modest growth for the 2017 housing market, as a seller you would like every edge you can get. And on the heels of the popular Consumer Electronics Show in January, perhaps that edge is actually a home that features smart technology.
Simple, inexpensive smart home features that can enable you to sell your home faster
“Smart home features are designed to make homes more convenient, appealing, secure and energy-efficient – all of which are bonuses when you’re trying to sell a house,” says Geoff Lewis, president of RE/MAX, LLC. “Sellers who want to move their homes faster may benefit from adding smart features that make their properties more appealing to tech-minded buyers.”
According to IHS Markit and CNBC, 80 million smart home devices were delivered worldwide this past year. Which is a 64% increase from 2015.
Here are six trending smart home features that could catch buyers’ attention and help sell your property faster:
Keyless/remote entry door locks
Have you ever left the house and worried that you left the front door unlocked? If your home is equipped with a keyless/remote entry door lock – available from multiple manufacturers – you can utilize an app on your smartphone to lock the door from wherever you might be. Some manufacturers make versions which will also send a text or email to your phone when the door opens. Locks that can be programmed with multiple entry codes also permit you to see who comes and goes and when.
Smart lighting
From lighting automation that enables you to control lights remotely and wirelessly, to energy-efficient LED bulbs that will change color to match your mood and decor, lighting has made great progress way. Some smart lights work in tandem with home automation systems to enable you to turn them on or off, or even dim them, from an app on a smartphone or tablet. Others require no communication hub and could be controlled directly from your mobile device. You can also put some smart bulbs on timers (using your wireless device), sync all of them with certain TV shows or movies, and integrate all of them security cameras and thermostats.
DIY security systems
Don’t want to sign a contract or contend with complex security systems? Install-it-yourself security systems are affordable and offer security features like cameras, sensors, motion detectors and alarms or sirens, without having to use a security company to monitor them.
Smart appliances
The Internet of Things (IoT) – everyday objects that contain network connectivity – features a growing list of smart appliances. Many manufacturers are offering washers, dryers, refrigerators as well as other appliances for the home that can communicate with you – and each other – wirelessly. Many can be controlled remotely from your smartphone – so if you leave the house and can’t remember if you turned off the stove, you can check in and turn it off utilizing your smartphone app.
While appliances aren’t always included in a home sale, they do make for interesting features that keep your home top of mind to buyers.
Smart plugs
On the list of easiest, most economical smart home upgrades you can make would be to add smart plugs to your house. These Wi-Fi-enabled plugs fit existing outlets and can be controlled from your smartphone app. Plug anything into a smart plug, like lights or a television, and you may turn it on or off remotely, track energy consumption, as well as create an on-off schedule.
Temperature controls
Programmable thermostats were just the beginning; today’s home temperature controls are even smarter. Like other smart home features, smart thermostats can be controlled remotely from your mobile device. You can program them to make automatic temperature adjustments and then use your smartphone to override the program like turning up the temperature on a particularly cold day. Some smart thermostats learn from household behavior and adjust the temperature to satisfy your family’s needs and save energy, while others adjust based on the number of people in a room. And several can now be operated via voice-controlled virtual assistants.
“Many of these smart home features are surprisingly easy and affordable to install,” Lewis says. “Sellers who are open to the idea of investing a little money to possibly help get a speedier sale, may want to consider adding the smart features buyers will be looking for in 2017.”
If you’re thinking of selling your home, find more helpful information by contacting Nick & Cindy Davis with RE/MAX Premier Group. We have assisted hundreds of our clients sell their homes here in the Tampa Bay and Surrounding Areas. We are always just a click here or call to 813-300-7116 away.
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