Gone are the days of getting top dollar for your home simply because it has a great location, decent appliances, and a sound structure. If you want to be competitive with other homes for sale in the area, you really need to add at least a few tech improvements.
No, that doesn’t mean that you have to completely update your home with the latest gadgets and features before you contact Realtors in Denver, CO, or elsewhere. However, with a few tweaks, you may be surprised at the aesthetic improvement and the asking price that your realtor lists it for.
Whether you’re about to put your house on the market or it has been there a while without selling, you should consider making some of these technology improvements.
Install a Smart Thermostat
If you still have a standard clock-type thermostat or an outdated digital option, adding a smart thermostat can definitely be a bonus for potential buyers. Many of them can sense whether anyone is home or not and adjust the home’s temperature controls accordingly.
Of course, there are several options available, such as Nest and the Honeywell Lyric T5, and while they’ll cost anywhere from $100 – $250, the cost savings for heating and cooling the home is definitely a selling point.
Smoke Detectors
This is one area that many sellers tend to overlook but adding smart smoke detectors can actually save your buyer money on insurance premiums. Again, there are multiple options available these days including Nest Protect, which will not only monitor smoke, but also carbon dioxide as well as the overall general air quality of the home.
As an added bonus, many of them also send an alert to your smartphone if it detects anything alarming. Adding this smart feature to your home can add value and peace of mind for your buyer.
Smart Locks
Adding an extra level of security to the home is always a plus when it comes to selling your home. Many of the smart locks available offer features such as auto-lock and unlock functions and when it comes to guests, repairmen, and other visitors, you can create temporary electronic keys.
Check out the August Smart Lock Pro ($250) for an added feature of a Guestbook function that lets you use the app to send a message to visitors or your real estate agent.
Video Doorbell
As you may have deduced by now, adding security features to your home is always a good idea but that’s especially true when selling it. Installing a video doorbell or even a security camera at the front door will let them see any visitors any time of day or night. There are multiple options available these days but for the most part, all of them send an alert and video clip to a smartphone whenever it detects motion or someone presses the doorbell.
Other items you may consider adding are a smart sprinkler system, smart lighting, a moisture sensor, or even smart appliances like a refrigerator and stove. While the return on investment on these upgrades varies, there’s no doubt that they are sure to appeal to potential home buyers.
Source by geekinsider.com