What to Think About When Making Your Home "Smart"

By csheaffer@helenadamsrealty.com - September 11, 2019

In today’s digital era, the dream of having a smart home is more attainable than ever. Refrigerators and kitchen appliances, doorbells and home security systems, and temperature controlling applications are taking over the home space. Although it’s easy for owners to convert their homes to be more tech-friendly these days, there are vital things that everyone should know before getting started.

Choosing one cohesive virtual assistant is a great initial step before adding more technology into your home’s systems. Apple’s Siri, Google’s Assistant, and Amazon’s Alexa are some of the options that make it possible to control different products in your home through spoken commands. Once you pick a virtual assistant, you’ll be able to choose a paired piece of hardware to act as the controller. Amazon’s products include Echo Dot, Echo and Echo Show; Google offers Google Home; and Apple has programs that can connect with your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. Many factors go into which system is right for you, so do your research before committing to one system. Consider the systems you are currently using on your phone or television and keep that in mind when making a decision.

Deciding what elements in your home you’d wish to convert to technology-based is another factor to consider. We live in a digital world where consumers are able to do pretty much anything in the palm of their hands. Qualifying your home’s heating and cooling, kitchen appliances, and security systems are some examples of components that could be moved into the digitally controlled realm. The cost for smart home technology can be significant, so understanding the importance of some elements compared to others can help you remain cost efficient in the process.

When owners add smart home technology to their living space, a necessary step is to update your home inventory and insurance policies. In the case of damage or burglary, you want to know that you have accounted for all updates to the home including the costly technology upgrades.

Be mindful of your privacy when purchasing smart home and voice controlled technology. Reference educational resources about what these platforms and their partners actually do with your data, what is at risk, and what you’re agreeing to when installing.

A final thought with smart homes is for homeowners looking to sell their home. Talk to your real estate agent about what will convey with the home and what you’d like to take with you on your move so that the agreements are written out clearly in any contracts. Your real estate agent will be able to guide you through the process while following the necessary steps regarding fixtures in a home but also advising you on what home buyers might be willing to pay extra for.

Upgrading your home’s appliances to connected or automated versions is a project that is constantly growing in popularity. Integrating smart home technology into your living space can easily be done but it is important to do your research and understand the requirements before getting started. One of the main desires when converting your home to smart technology is for the convenience, so be sure to get your questions answered before making the switch.

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