News

Research shows that homebuyers will pay more for homes that have smart features. According to a study by Realtor.com, buyers pay around 5% more for houses with internet-connected technology. Consider upgrading to these three smart features to boost home value:

Install a Modern Security System
According to Realtor.com’s research, 63% of homes sold with smart features included security systems. So it’s apparent that buyers are willing to pay more for internet-connected doorbells, security cameras, and alarms. But getting a professional install for a whole-house system can cost up to $1,000, and with the monthly monitoring fee, this option can be expensive.

Fortunately, there are do-it-yourself security features that are less costly. Video doorbells, for example, can be found for $150 and are easy to install. The same goes for multicamera exterior monitoring systems, which store footage to a hard drive or the cloud and can be controlled with a smartphone app.

Eliminate the Need for House Keys
Door locks and garage door openers connected to wi-fi are conveniences homebuyers appreciate. Having smart door locks allow residents of a home to enter a code on a keypad or an app, eliminating the need for house keys. As long as you know the code, you’ll never get locked out of your house. Smart garage door openers are similar: you can open and close the door from your phone.

Save Money with an Automatic Thermostat
Vivint, a smart-home service provider, estimates that a Wi-Fi-capable thermostat such as the Google Nest or Ecobee Smart can save homeowners 10% to 12% on heating costs and around 15% on cooling costs each month. With price tags mostly between $200 and $300, smart thermostats will pay for themselves within a few years.

Smart thermostats use programmed algorithms to “learn” your temperature preferences and automatically adjust your home’s temperature, reducing energy consumption. You can also conveniently adjust the temperature from your couch with your smartphone or through voice-enabled smart devices such as Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home.

There are many smart-home features available to today’s homeowners, including lights, appliances, sound systems, security devices, and energy-saving thermostats. All these features are convenient, but home security and energy-saving features top the list as the most desirable.

Smart Features Boost Home Value