The biggest fear when getting ready to put a home on the market is it might not sell fast or even go for the price you want. The good news is there are several things you can do to it that could seduce potential buyers and speed up the sale process. Today’s home renovations, however, go beyond the obvious things like adding a fresh coat of paint and landscaping for curb appeal. They include smart home technology, which has become synonymous with the best houses on the market. That’s because it makes the house more comfortable, enjoyable, and easier to live in.
Smart home technology is available in a variety of shapes and sizes for different functionalities. Since you may not have the money to complete them all, it’s important to focus on what buyers crave but is also good value for money. The best smart home improvements to make before selling a house fall under the following categories:
Home Safety and Security
The truth is nothing is more important to homebuyers than a property’s propensity for safety. Many are more than willing to pay more for a house that feels safe to live in. After all, you can’t put a price on one’s safety –a sentiment that’s only magnified in potential homebuyers with kids. Fortunately, creating a safe home is as simple as adopting the latest smart home technology.
The basic component of smart home security is security cameras. There are plenty of makes and models of these devices with all kinds of smart features that will make users feel safer. Security systems will monitor one’s property (both indoors and outdoors) and alert them of unwanted motion or noise. The smart ones are even capable of streaming live footage to your phone via an app and alerting the proper authorities –whether it’s the fire department or the police.
Another simple way to add security to the property is by installing a smart lighting system. This will keep your property well lit to deter criminals all while allowing you to control the whole system with the touch of a button.
You can also give your home’s future owners some peace of mind by adding smart locks on the doors and installing smart smoke/CO detectors in the house.
Energy Conservation
Most homebuyers are interested in homes that can actually save them money in the long run, and green home improvements are the way to go. In fact, the right additions can actually lower one’s carbon footprint and energy bills. Who wouldn’t want that?
Energy conservation can be achieved in a number of ways, starting with installing solar panels. As energy bills rise, homebuyers will be sure to factor in the overall cost of electricity. Having solar power will appeal to many potential buyers as it means saving on high energy bills over the life of the home.
Solar panels are, however, a big of an investment. Luckily, there are easier and less costly ways to include green home improvements that will help lower monthly energy bills. You can install smart thermostats, smart kitchen appliances with Energy Star certifications, smart shades, and smart sprinklers, just to name a few. These devices function at an optimum level, benefiting the environment and monthly bills. Smart LED bulbs also have a high ROI and will save up to 75% more energy.
It’s worth noting that green home improvements aren’t solely based on technology. You can improve energy efficiency by adding insulation to your home.
Lifestyle and Convenience
Smart home technology is meant to improve our quality of life. For this reason, you should complement green home improvements and safety features with other smart products that promote a life of comfort and leisure. For homeowners planning to sell, adding a smart hub is a quick way to grab buyers’ attention. Thermostats, accent and ambient lighting, alarms, and smart speakers can all be appealing to millennial homebuyers as they are familiar with smart home technology and find it not only functional but also convenient and just plain fun.
Conclusion
Making the best home improvements will attract potential homebuyers and ultimately secure a sale. But keep in mind that every additional home improvement will cost you money and you don’t want to spend more than you can get back. In that case, stick to the necessities and avoid unnecessary structural improvements that would engulf a budget. Be sure to use an online house valuation to determine the value of your home after the renovations are done.
With that being said, remember those simple improvements like removing clutter, cleaning the house, cutting your lawn, and getting an appliance tune-up really goes a long way in attracting buyers and getting your home sold faster.
