Top 5 Smart Home Upgrades To Help Increase The Value Of Your Home

With emerging smart home technology (including voice activated assistants) becoming more affordable and more commonplace in the market, we are seeing more homes become smarter in many ways. Not only do smart home accessories make your day to day life more convenient, smart home systems are now being factored into appraisals for home sales. A Consumer Reports article claims smart home devices can boost the value of your home by up to 5%. The big question is which piece of technology will get you the most bang for your buck, without breaking the bank?

 

1. Voice Activated Assistant/Hub

If you have a smart phone they are all equipped with a Digital Assistant, however your phone may not be able to control all of your home’s technology without some kind of hub. A smart home hub acts as a centralized spot from which you can control all of your various devices, be it lights, locks, garage door openers, thermostats, cameras and more.

If you find it unsettling that Alexa, Siri and Google are always listening, you can set up specific “wake” words or turn off the listening function altogether. If you do turn the listening capability off, your phone should be able to control all devices manually via your home hub app. However, you will be on your own for voice help from the assistants until you turn it back on!

2. Smart Thermostat

As Realtors, this is one of the easiest upgrades we recommend when preparing to sell a property. Not only does it look cool, it can help you save money on your energy bills. Our personal favourite is the Ecobee Smart Thermostat, not only because it is compatible with Apple HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Assistant, but that it’s also a proudly Canadian company.

3. Smart Locks

Most people change the locks when they buy a new home for safety and security. Why not use this opportunity to smarten up your home? There are a variety of smart locks that are compatible with Apple, Alexa and Google. With smart locks, you can check if you locked the front door, as well as remotely lock and unlock the door if you are not home. In addition to having a physical key, many will allow you to create temporary digital “keys” that can be used to let people in at certain times (think your handyman, a dog walker or cleaning company) while not allowing access outside of the specified times. You can also assign codes (or in some of the best locks, fingerprint access!) for different members of your family and you'll even be able to receive an alert when they arrive or leave home.

4. Smart Lighting

The cost of smart lighting has come down considerably in recent years. From light bulbs and panels, to switches and strip lighting, there are plenty of affordable options to choose from. The folks at CNET spent 6 years testing out smart lights for a living and here is what they said they would buy.

Apple HomeKit has a few less light options than Alexa or Google, however there are more and more options coming to market every month. A few key benefits of automating lighting in the home are that you can set up ambience and also save on your home energy bills.

5. Doorbell Camera

While full-bore security systems can be expensive and each homeowner may have specific requirements, a video doorbell will add a layer of security while providing a strong first impression. They make for a great smart home upgrade since they’re so easy to install and use. The prospect of staying connected to your home remotely without breaking the bank is a great value-add. This is a precious safety feature in its own right, while the night vision camera makes things even more secure.

While these 5 may be the most useful smart accessories for increasing the value in your home, they are by no means all the smart tech that is available. The less glamorous accessories include smart moisture sensors, smoke and CO2 detectors and even solar panels and sprinkler controls. If you are looking to save yourself time on the housework, a robot vacuum may be a useful tool for you. Other accessories that could round out the top 10 could be smart outlets, window coverings and garage door openers.    One thing to keep in mind is that not only can smart upgrades make your home more convenient and efficient, but they will also make it much more attractive to potential buyers in the future!

Not sure where to start or don’t have the time or know-how to install these accessories? We highly recommend using a specialist to guide you all the way through. The folks at Synapse Smart Homes are our go-to partner for anything and everything Smart Home. We trusted them to install all the technology in our home and have been incredibly happy with their exceptional knowledge and customer service.
 

Have any Real Estate related questions? We're always here to help. J&C Toronto Real Estate Group