Sources: smart home staging
TJ Fortener of Keller Williams Realty
experienced contractor
the Dallas/Fort Worth area
$280,000
TJ Fortener
video doorbell systems
preferred temperatures
With constant innovations in technology, our phones and computers seem to get smarter every single day. So why shouldn't our homes get smarter too? In fact, many investment and real estate experts suggest adding smart home staging to the list of projects that can help you sell your home or increase your home's value. Whether you are looking to sell, looking to buy, or just looking to make your home work harder for you, here are some things you should know about adding smart home automation. This information is courtesy of TJ Fortener of Keller Williams Realty.
Hiring a Contractor May Be Necessary
Smart home products make your life simpler and save you time. Many of the best home automation products out there are easy to operate but should really be installed by an experienced contractor or electrician. Working with an electrician to update your outlets, install new electrical switches, and ensure everything is wired safely can prevent damage to your new devices or even prevent fire dangers inside your home.
You can find reviews and prices for electricians and other home professionals by using sites such as ProMatcher. With this site's data, you can review the cost to hire an electrician to install switches, outlets, and fixtures. For example, the average cost to install electrical switches and outlets in the Dallas/Fort Worth area costs about $68 per hour; this information gives you a baseline for comparing quotes from different contractors.
Some Updates Provide More ROI
If you are selling your home soon, or may do so in the near future, you may be more concerned with which smart home products can offer more return on investment (ROI). After all, you want to get as close to the DFW average home sale price of $280,000. Of course, if you work with an expert agent like TJ Fortener, you're likely to pull in even more!
Buyers tend to focus first on home security features; that's where a tool like Ring, or similar doorbell systems, can come in handy. These video doorbell systems allow residents to see who is at the door before answering it and even offer remote access to your home for visitors and family members. Energy efficiency can be another money-saver as well as a perk for home buyers, so innovations such as Nest thermostat can be a good choice to lower utility bills and conserve energy. Nest works by learning your preferred temperatures and the most efficient way to heat or cool your home.
You Can Control Most Systems From Your Phone
Home automation has advanced past the need for hundreds of remotes and different controls. With today's technology, you can use your smartphone to control hundreds of functions inside your home. You can feed your fish, check on your home, or even water plants from afar with one touch no matter where in the world you are.
Another useful utility you can control from your phone is lighting. Using automation to adjust your lights is a useful trick to increase your home security while on trips or turn off the lights when you are too tired to get out of bed. Depending on the automated lighting system you choose and the size of your home, the costs of changing out bulbs, panels and switches may vary.
Home Automation Adds a Layer to Buying or Selling a Home
Just like any other upgrade, there's no doubt that home automation can make a difference when it comes to buying or selling a home. Home automation can increase property values, so keep this in mind when you are looking for a home. That means you may pay more if you are buying a home with some smart features, but if you are selling a home, buyers may be more interested in your property with automation. More than ever, Americans are looking for convenience in their lives and smart buyers know that smart homes can provide ways to save money and time in their everyday lives.
Time and energy top the list of priorities for most home buyers, and smart home innovations can save families both. If you are planning on selling your home, buying a new one or are just looking to make your life a little easier, then looking into home automation could just be the smartest move you make.