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As you mow the lawn, paint the exterior, wax the floor and do other upgrades to raise your home’s value, you should also consider adding a few smart devices.
Not only are buyers willing to pay more for a smart home, most expect to find several smart devices before they make an offer.
According to a 2016 real estate report, most people are willing to pay more for a house if it is equipped with smart devices.
In another survey, 65% of potential home buyers were willing to pay thousands more for a home equipped with smart devices such as doorbells, security cameras and smart appliances.
Just hearing the phrase ‘smart home’ is enough to interest buyers.
But not any smart device will appeal to buyers. Smart security systems and smart entertainment gadgets hold more appeal to home shoppers.
So if you are thinking of making some smart home upgrades to increase your home’s value, choose wisely.
Here are the ones that potential home buyers will appreciate the most and are likely to pay more for.
1. Smart Security Cameras
Security is a major priority for home shoppers and anything that improves it is a big plus. Even if you live in a safe neighborhood, it’s still a good idea to add extra security measures to assure potential buyers.
Install smart security cameras both on the exterior and interior of the house.
They allow homeowners to see a live feed of what’s happening at home from wherever they are.
Some cameras also have motion detectors and will alert you when they sense there is someone around. Others are equipped with facial recognition.
You don’t need a lot of cameras. Just make sure you cover the most vulnerable areas including the front, rear and the main areas inside your home such as the living room.
2. Smart Door Bells and Locks
If you install smart security cameras, install a smart doorbell and lock as well. They go hand in hand.
Smart doorbells are usually integrated with a camera that sends you a live footage of whoever’s at the door when the bell is rang.
Some of the most popular smart doorbells include August Doorbell Cam Pro, Nest Hello and Ring.
Next, install a smart door lock. This lets you see whether the door is locked or unlocked from your smartphone and you can remotely lock or unlock it.
The entire security package – smart security cameras, a smart door lock and a smart doorbell – are essential for boosting your home’s value.
If you don’t want to buy these items individually, you can also buy a complete smart security system which will include all the essential security gadgets. Some packages also include professional monitoring for a monthly fee.
3. Smart WiFi Thermostat
You should already have installed a smart WiFi thermostat by now. They are super convenient to use and help trim your electric bills. They are not too expensive either.
If you haven’t got one yet, see our buying guide to help you find the best one for your needs and budget.
With a smart WiFi thermostat, the future homeowners will be able to control and monitor the AC from wherever they are. They can even set a schedule for the thermostat to follow.
Smart WiFi thermostats also help to save energy, by changing the temperature when you are not home and in unoccupied rooms. This is definitely something any home buyer will appreciate.
4. Smart Smoke Detector
Traditional home smoke detectors work well enough to detect a fire and sound an alarm. But smart smoke detectors are better and increase home safety.
In addition to sounding an alarm, they will also notify you immediately on your phone. You can even connect it to a smart camera to see a live feed of what’s happening at home.
Others like the Nest Protect will even tell you exactly what room the smoke or fire is originating from so that you can respond quicker.
To learn more about smart smoke detectors and find the best one for your home, see my in-depth buying guide.
5. Smart Lighting
Finally, a basic that every home should have by now – smart lights.
They are convenient, easy to use and save more energy. Set them up in every room of the house. You should also consider getting smart security lights for the outdoors.
