Smart Home Upgrades To Increase The Value of Your Home

How Home Automation Improvements Can Increase Your Property Value

A smart home uses the Internet and connected devices to monitor and manage different

aspects of the home. By making your home smart, you are allowing the remote or automatic

operation of appliances and other gadgets in your house. Homebuyers are attracted to the

added safety, convenience, control and money savings that home automation provides and are

often willing to pay more for a home with these features.

Adding smart home features could give you a real edge in the market. Here’s how you may be able to boost your home’s property value (homes in Pittsburgh sell for an average price of $207,000) by making an investment in some home automation improvements.

Are you ready to learn more? DTSH Interiors presents this guide to home automation

improvements, which can help you boost the value of your property!

Home Automation Makes Your House Safer

Safety is a top concern of homebuyers and one of the biggest reasons that people want smart

home devices. Security automation allows various devices to work together to monitor your

home for an array of safety threats. For example, smart home surveillance systems allow

people to check in on their homes when they’re away and receive a notification in real-time if

there’s a break-in. These devices involve smart door locks, video doorbells (can be purchased

on Amazon for under $100), and remote garage door controls. Other devices can automate your

lighting and shades, making your home appear occupied when you’re off the property. Smart

water sensors, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors can also alert you to problems

in your home no matter where you are, allowing you to act immediately to prevent damage to

your property.

According to RealtyTimes, these safety upgrades are huge selling points for any buyer. From

people who travel regularly to families with small children, automated security systems provide

invaluable peace of mind to homeowners. A security system not only prevents costly damage to

the home and possessions, but it also allows buyers to save up to 20 percent on their home

insurance.

Smart Homes Use Less Energy

Homebuyers are also attracted to the idea of saving money on energy bills. Smart thermostats

can adjust the temperature of a room automatically based on how many people are in it. This

prevents owners from using energy to heat or cool a room when it's unoccupied. On top of this, water-efficient washing machines can cut out 13 gallons of water from every wash while energy-efficient LED bulbs use up to 80 percent less energy. By programming lights to turn off when

you leave a room and dim at certain times of the day, you can reduce electricity usage even

more without having to think about it!

Many homeowners are integrating their home automation technology with solar panels to

reduce overall energy usage. Although they come with a significant charge up front, you’ll be

able to save thousands of dollars on energy bills in the long run. And, when it comes time to

sell, BoomTown notes that a solar energy system can add up to $15,000 to your home’s selling

price.

Homebuyers Are Looking for Convenience

Most homebuyers, especially millennials, are looking for houses designed for convenience. This

is where home automation is attractive, allowing homeowners to control music, lights, blinds,

locks and thermostats without leaving the comfort of their sofa.

With the relevant connected appliances, you can command your washing machine or robotic

vacuum to start doing chores while you’re away. Plus, installing smart plugs throughout the

house can prevent you from having to return home if you leave a hair iron or coffee pot plugged

in. Smart appliances, like a fridge that displays its contents or an oven that cooks food to

perfection, have a return on investment (ROI) of about 11 percent higher than standard

appliances when upgrading a home for sale.

A whopping 80 percent of homebuyers want a home equipped with smart technology. Not only

do people want to make their lives safer, easier and cheaper, they are also interested in

supporting the environment by reducing their water usage and carbon footprint. Many smart

home improvements provide a better ROI than bathroom or kitchen remodels. Find out how

much homes are selling for in your area to get an idea of what you could make after

implementing some of these home automation upgrades.