Are you looking to sell your home? As with anything, first impressions are critical. While there is a charm to an older house, technology is evolving rapidly, and buyers want the latest and greatest tech in their potential new home. Minor technology updates can take your home to the next level, making it way more appealing to prospective buyers. It’s time to start thinking about being out with the old and in with the new, and we’ve got the hottest recent tech trends for your home.
Smart Thermostats
Thermostats are getting smarter and easier to control. Today’s models are wifi-enabled and smartphone compatible. By simply downloading the app, you can control your thermostat from anywhere. If you enjoy utilizing the voice-activated feature on your phone, consider purchasing a thermostat that’s Alexa or Siri-compatible. For an extra touch, you may want to choose a model that senses when people enter and exit the room. This feature saves energy and money in the long run, proving that smart thermostats are considerably more eco-friendly than a traditional, old-school version.
Video Doorbell
Although you certainly can, you don't need to invest in an entire security system to make your home more secure. Smart doorbells are relatively affordable options for home monitoring. These gadgets have cameras, which allow you to view the front door and its surroundings. Certain versions also come with intruder sirens, as well as sensors that distinguish between visitors and packages. Today’s models provide crisp video and are DIY-compatible.
Smart Lights
Smart light bulbs are a significant draw for today’s buyers. These bulbs are cost-effective ways to save money and energy, and they last longer than regular light bulbs. Most of these bulbs are Wi-Fi compatible, requiring “smart hubs” that connect your bulbs to your Wi-Fi. Control the lighting via your smartphone or through Alexa or Siri by diming it, brightening it, going dark. If you’re feeling adventurous, choose a colorful set of lights. Investing in new lights that are also tech-savvy is a great way to appeal to today’s market.
Smart Lock
Smart locks are a highly impressive way to make potential Kirkwood home buyers feel secure in the house. These locks can easily be installed on home doors to monitor who comes and goes. Basic models have auto-lock and unlock capabilities. More premium models allow you to set certain passcodes for certain visitors — i.e., your password can be different from that of your contractor or mother-in-law. If you’re willing to spend a tad more, consider buying a model that connects to your smartphone. This way, you can lock or unlock your door via your phone or voice commands.
Smart Faucet
Smart faucets are making cooking and cleaning much easier. Today’s models are either action or voice-activated, meaning you can say goodbye to letting the water run for longer than you intended. Lower-level models allow you to tap the faucet with your hand or elbow. These are great if your hands are messy or full, so you can say goodbye to cooking a messy meal or preparing raw meat and then having to touch the faucet. Voice-controlled faucets may be higher-end, but they prevent a lot of contamination.
Wireless Speakers
Picture it: you’re having guests over. You want to play music, but you don’t want messy wires and clunky speakers running the fun atmosphere you’ve created. Wireless speakers are a must-have to control your music from your phone or any other device. Most models are sleek and discreet, adding both function and design sleekness to your home. They also come in various shapes, sizes, and price points to work with any environment.
Solar-Powered Outdoor Lights
Lining your walkway or garden with lights makes a home look welcoming and also enhances safety. Solar-powered lights turn on at dusk and off at dawn, meaning you can set them up and let them be. The sun powers them during the day, so they’ll be ready to light up at night. This is an especially great feature when you’re away, as your home will be well-lit without your involvement. You may also consider purchasing solar-powered patio lights for your front porch or patio. These are an energy-efficient way to add a touch of pretty light to your gathering areas and create a fun outdoor space.
Smart Smoke Alarms and Carbon Detectors
Smart alarms and detectors make for safer, sleeker homes. They’re smartphone compatible, which allows Chesterfield homeowners to control them from anywhere. For example: say you’re out to lunch and one of your smoke alarms goes off. Your alarm will send a notification to your phone, and depending on the model, the alarm might also indicate if the detector is out of batteries or if there is smoke nearby. Some models will also tell you how much smoke is detected and in which rooms.
The same goes for carbon detectors. These devices cut out the confusion between hearing an alarm and trying to indicate the problem. They also come in a range of prices. Just make sure that you replace all alarms and detectors in your home with identical models to coordinate the entire system.
Smart Toilet
Investing in a smart toilet might not necessarily be a new homeowner’s first priority, which is why they’ll be thrilled to see you’ve invested in one for them. Smart toilets are incredibly capable and sleek. They come in various shapes and sizes, so you can find one that fits your aesthetic. They also have so many functions like soft-close, heated seats, or self-cleaning functions. Gone are the days of struggling with an old toilet brush. Some even dry the seat and close the lid on their own.
To avoid stumbling to the bathroom in the dark, consider purchasing a model with a nighttime LED light. For a spa experience, invest in bidet-enabled options. Most models will allow you to choose the bidet’s positioning and water pressure. The combination of these advanced features makes for an eco-friendly, user-friendly toilet option.
Smart Shades
Now, even your natural light can be smart-enabled! Installing smart shades is definitely an investment, but it's one potential homeowners appreciate. These shades can be controlled via smartphone, meaning from anywhere at any time. Many are also solar-enabled, so they can adjust based on the amount of sun they detect. Schedule your shades via the app, which saves you the hassle of adjusting them in real-time.
Not ready to invest in entirely new shades? Consider enabling your existing shades with smart technology. Many brands sell self-installation kits, which essentially allow your blinds to work with tools like Alexa and Google Assistant.
If you’re looking to list your home with all of these tech updates in the Saint Louis area, contact Mike Knoll. As a Saint Louis native, he’s the best agent to work with to list your Chesterfield home for sale. Also, do yourself a favor and click here to follow Mike on TikTok for more content!
