More homebuyers are beginning to think snagging a “smart home” is a smart move. Where smart home features were considered once a fringe benefit, more buyers are demanding them, and we have taken notice. We have seen that nearly two-thirds that homebuyers care more about homes with smart features and technology compared to what they were just two to five years ago.
We believe this trend will continue becoming more popular and will eventually be the brand new norm. We equate it to stainless-steel appliances and granite countertops, since just Ten years back it was great when you had them however it wasn’t expected. However right now you have to have them — it’s expected. And when homeowners don’t have those features, they’re installing them to sell their homes for a better price.
Our best guess is that many homebuyers will consider smart home features standard within the next three to seven years. But for many homeowners, it’s one thing to say buyers want “smart features” and another to determine which ones are actually worth the cost. With that in mind, we took a look at what was hot at the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show, then it cross-referenced specific smart home products using its findings as to what homebuyers prefer and put together a list of the trendiest items.
These smart home features can basically be broken down into three different buckets. They’re either for practical and functional use, for lifestyle and entertainment, or for safety and security. We recommend to our home owners they should have a minimum of three smart home features — ideally conducting a diverse combination of functions — before they can reasonably market their properties as a “smart homes.”
Smart Home features buyers actually want
South Korean tech company LG Electronics features a premium collection of smart kitchen appliances that could make a house more functional (and therefore more desirable) for buyers. The complete stainless-steel line includes refrigerators, cooktops, ranges and ovens, dishwashers and microwaves, a number of which come with the Energy Star seal of approval. Smart features include LED touchscreen displays, microwave sensor cooking and gourmet recipe banks in two of the ovens.Nest Learning Thermostat
This Learning Thermostat is possibly consumers favorite new smart home technology to hit the market. Tech site CNET also listed it among the best smart home features of the year. The system, created by the California-based company Nest, can be controlled by a smartphone and programmed to learn a homeowner’s daily routine and adjust the home’s temperature accordingly. In addition, it has sensors that record whether your house is empty, and it can use less energy while nobody is there. This feature will surely make a buyer’s ears perk up because in addition to its novelty, it could also save some serious cash. Nest claims it can lower an owner’s heating and cooling bills by up to 20 %.
LG Mega-Capacity French-Door Refrigerator
LG makes its second appearance within this list with the stainless steel Mega-Capacity French-Door Refrigerator. It’s known as “mega-capacity” for a reason: The appliance is definitely the largest French-door refrigerator available, according to the company, at 33 cubic feet. Considering its size and features intended to give food a longer life, such as a smart cooling system that will sense humidity levels, this fridge would probably be best suited for a larger family home.
iSmart Alarms
This alarm system, created by Silicon Valley startup iSmart Alarms, allows homeowners to keep an eye on their home from anywhere — without paying the monthly fees that are often attached to traditional security systems. Considering that 62 percent of buyers are interested in controlling their home technology through their smartphones or tablets, based on the, feed back we have recieved from our buyers, homeowners should keep an eye on tech that appeals to this market if they ever plan to sell. The iSmart Alarm system includes window sensors, door sensors, motion detectors and cameras that are all connected wirelessly. Users can control the system via an app that also provides the option to monitor and control a home’s lighting, thermostat and smoke detectors.
Iris Smart Kit
Nick & Cindy Davis recommends snagging the Iris Safe and Secure Kit, backed by the home improvement giant Lowe’s, to give your home a smart upgrade. As outlined by CNET, the home management system is a descendant of the U.K.-based AlertMe — a similar product that also has Lowe’s backing. Users can control the kit’s contact and motion sensors from a smartphone, tablet or computer, and are notified if anything out of the ordinary happens. It also comes with a keypad and wireless hub. While it’s a DIY, self-installed, self-monitored system, paid service package upgrades are available for people who want extra features like the ability to preset security schedules.
Kwikset Kevo Smart Lock
The Kevo Smart Lock, created by the California-based lock company Kwikset, might make it easier for homeowners to sell their properties in more ways than one. Not only are homebuyers interested in smart home technology associated with security, but this product could actually make things easier for a real estate agent to sell a home. Like the locks on many new car models, this system is keyless. Instead, a user’s smartphone acts as a sort of key fob and all he or she would need to do is tap the lock. For sellers, this means you are able to grant access to real estate agents (or housecleaners or neighbors) for designated time periods without giving them a physical key that might get lost or stolen.
First Alert OneLink
Here’s a smart safety system of products, It’s called OneLink, and it was made by the Illinois-based security company First Alert. The complete suite of products — including Wi-Fi smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, a smartwatch, smart tracker for personal things like keys, a Wi-Fi safe and a Wi-Fi programmable thermostat — are all that will work with Apple’s HomeKit system and could be controlled via iPhone. According to a questionnaire that we give our buyers, 48 percent of them were most serious about smart home technology associated with safety. These OneLink products may well be a good investment in an area of tech that appeals to a large number of people shopping for a smart home.
Sengled Pulse Smart Bulb
The Pulse Smart Bulb, by the Chinese company Sengled, is part entertainment device and part functional lighting system. Each lightbulb posesses a hidden speaker that plays music wirelessly. The bulbs can easily be screwed right into existing light sockets and controlled via an app that works on personal smart devices.
Lutron Caséta Wireless
Need a reason to consider purchasing an automated lighting system? Having a secured property can be extremely important to some buyers — and with good reason. The Caséta Wireless system, by Pennsylvania-based Lutron Electronics, is really an automated technique to control not just a home’s lighting but also the position of its shades and temperature. It works via an app that can be used on a smartphone, tablet or smartwatch.