Make Educated Decisions About Smart Home Technology And The Housing Market

Guest Writer Ted James

Most people realize there must be ramifications when an automated home is on the market, but following the ins and outs of that can be confusing. What gives you the best bang for your buck, and how do the devices transfer when the house sells? Realtor Jason Gelios offers some important advice about smart home technology so you can make educated decisions when buying or selling a smart home.

Gauging ROI

For most homeowners considering installing smart home upgrades, return on investment (ROI) weighs into the decisions. New York Magazine points out that smart home technology often makes the biggest impact in time frame — in other words, by selling homes more quickly — so if you’re in a competitive market, New York Magazine notes it can give you an edge over other sellers. An integrated, whole-house automated system is most likely to give you a measurable ROI, primarily because it’s a more substantial investment than single devices.

When it comes to single devices, certain types of gadgets are more likely than others to catch buyers’ eyes. For single selections, some experts suggest paying special attention to devices such as smart thermostats, smart security cameras, and smart smoke detectors.

HGTV recommends thinking in terms of technology that offers comfort and convenience, such as music systems, smart locks, and weather report devices. If you opt for multiple devices which you intend to have lean on each other, make sure they can “talk” to the hub. Hiring a professional electrician ensures your smart home devices are installed properly. It’s a small investment toward quality assurance.

Check Your Footprint

On top of adding efficiency, comfort, and convenience, smart home devices can improve a home’s energy efficiency. As thermostats, lights, and other gadgets learn your habits, they can adjust to cut your energy use, saving your utility costs and reducing your impact on the environment. Another idea is to consider smart switches and outlets, or smart appliances, to cut energy consumption throughout your entire house.
 
Keeping Your Home and Family Safe

One of the most important aspects of smart home technology is the security systems. Today, there are several smart security options to keep your home safe: cameras that let you view your home anytime and anywhere, doorbells with built in video cameras, lights that turn on when anyone is nearby, and alarm systems that notify you when any windows or doors have been opened.
 
A home security system will give you peace of mind, whether you’re on vacation or trying to get a good night’s rest. They will also be appealing to potential homebuyers who care about safety.
 
What Happens When the House Sells?
 
If you are a seller preparing to list a house with smart home technology in place, you should make a list of all the devices in the house, remove your personal information from each device, and reset the devices to the original settings. Check the manual for warranty information and verify the privacy settings.
 
Note that when you’re showing a property with smart home gadgets in place, buyers can find it off-putting to see security cameras or an Alexa-type of “listening system” when viewing a property.  It can make house hunters feel someone could be watching or listening to what is being said, so they feel unable to speak freely about their decision. 
 
Moving Into a Smart Home
 
Once purchased, buyers should ensure they contact tech support as quickly as possible to ensure privacy settings and personal data is correct. Reset all devices in the interest of security since there is no way of knowing who had access before the home purchase.
 
Taking It with You
 
Some sellers opt to take their smart home devices with them when their property sells. As MyMove explains, taking your technology along is a viable option for homeowners who want to hang onto their tech gadgets when they move out, so long as the buyer agrees. Even devices that are hard-wired into the house can be safely removed if necessary. One way to ease the transition is to opt for portable smart home systems. 
 
Smart home technology offers benefits to both buyers and sellers in many respects. Make choices carefully, be aware of the impact when a property sells, and transfer devices wisely. When it comes to smart home devices and gadgets, knowing what you’re getting into can mean making a smooth transition.  

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Ted James is a husband, father, dog owner, and rock climber living in the Pacific Northwest who devotes a large chunk of his time helping people get back in the driver’s seat of their finances. He created his site, Ted Knows Money, to share money tips and help people get complete control of their finances.