Sundance Realty LLC

SUNDANCE REALTY

What Exactly Is Home Automation,
And Why You Should Consider Adding It?

December 11, 2021

by Katie Conroy

In the early nineties and well before, it could be hard to believe that you could connect almost any device in your residence to the internet, but home automation is real, and it's here to stay. This cutting-edge technology makes it possible to control devices in your property from a mobile device anywhere in the world. Until recently, you could only find such automation in larger commercial buildings and expensive homes, but now, it's more accessible than ever, and experts predict that advancements for other home items are not out of the realm of possibilities.

Aside from making your life easier, another reason to consider home automation is to increase the value of your home and attract more potential buyers if you ever decide to sell your property. Remember that maximizing attractive qualities such as safety and security, energy efficiency, comfort, and convenience can help your home sell for more.

Courtesy of Sundance Realty LLC, here's a closer look at some of the most popular types of devices on the market today.

Smart Security System

You may have seen the commercials with someone yelling at an intruder via their cell phone — that's a smart security system. You can literally monitor your home from anywhere in the world and receive immediate assistance in the event of a potential break-in. Another big benefit is cost — smart alarm systems can be less expensive, because you can install them yourself. To ensure your full safety, however, make sure you secure your password, commit to software updates to avoid any flaws, and understand how to correctly use the device.

Smart Door Lock

A smart door lock and a security system go hand in hand, and it's one of the easiest ways to integrate a smart device into your home. There are many models available, ranging from a touchpad that allows you to open your door via a code to more sophisticated smartphone-connected locks that will literally unlock the door when you're nearby. This version will also sound an alarm if a shock sensor is triggered, thus immediately notifying you of intruders (or even visitors) via an app. Things to consider before choosing a lock include whether or not you want to completely replace your existing lock and whether or not you want your lock to work with other technology (like a doorbell, for example) or third-party apps. August, Lockitron, Schlage, and Kwikset Kevo are among the most popular brands on the market.

Smart Lighting

Make no mistake: Smart lighting is not “the Clapper” of yesteryear. As you may have already guessed, you can control all of the lighting in your home (from brightness of bulbs to turning them on and off to creating a schedule) via an app on your phone or tablet, or through systems such as the Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit — through which you can also control lights with an Apple Watch. The best systems are coupled with extra bells and whistles, such as dimmer switches and motion detectors, which can act as additional security measures.

Smart Heating And Cooling

Smart temperature devices save energy and money while increasing comfort within the home. Other benefits include being able to control the temperature of your residence throughout the day by implementing a schedule via your smartphone or any other internet-connected device. Learning thermostats, such as the Nest, automatically learns when the house is occupied, so it automatically pre-heats or pre-cools the house so that it’s a comfortable temperature once you walk through the door. You're going to need to hire a professional electrician to install such a device.

Energy savings, convenience, and security are the obvious benefits of home automation, but be prepared for a few cons, too. Even though this type of technology has become more affordable over the years, the cost to purchase (and install) multiple devices can add up. You also have to keep tabs on whether or not all of your systems are compatible with one another, so you may want to invest in centralized platform technology. Establish what goals you want to have within your home before making any costly mistakes.

Ready to sell and find your next dream home? Sundance Realty LCC can help! Give him a call today at (580) 583-1459 or email Colin_Marcum@SundanceRealtyOregon.com.