With cars, TVs—even watches—getting connected through WiFi
and wireless telephones, it’s small wonder that “Smart Homes” are here, too. According
to Forbes, companies offering smart
homes technology will be a $35.6 billion industry within just three years. They
already offer Metairie homeowners an array of connected appliances, security
systems and even HVAC systems.
From what I’ve seen, their marketing has highlighted the
convenience factor—but if that seems to be more sizzle than steak, here are
some surprisingly substantial reasons why you might consider upgrading your own
place into one of Metairie’s smart homes:
Your current security
system gives you peace of mind whenever you’re out of town. But have you ever
wondered whether you remembered to lock the back door? Smart homes let you click
a function on your phone that commands the home to lock itself! The same app
can also send you a live video feed of the interior and exterior of your home.
In addition to securing the premises, Metairie smart homes
can help you prevent home accidents.
Smart appliances can be controlled via mobile apps which allow you to turn off
ovens, stovetops, microwaves and even washing machines from anywhere you
establish a WiFi connection. This minimizes the risk of the kind of home fires
which can be caused by unattended appliances. (If you’re thinking that homeowner
insurance premium discounts may soon
be offered for connected homes: the Wall
Street Journal reports that they already are!)
Major manufacturers GE, LG and Samsung have introduced
complete lines of connected appliances controlled via mobile phone, eliminating
the need to physically get up to adjust settings. Think how, especially for the
elderly and handicapped, this would meaningfully enhance their quality of life—maybe even extending
their ability to live at home without assistance. For all age brackets, being
able to effortlessly control lighting, heating and air conditioning at the
touch of a device screen will inevitably result in practical energy savings; and that raises perhaps
the most important selling point for smart homes technology—
Increasing the
value of Metairie smart homes when they come up for sale. The practicality
of smart homes is already especially appealing to the growing number of tech-savvy
buyers.
If you’re comparing home upgrades prior to putting your
own Metairie home on the market, I’m here to help you choose which (if any) are
likely to add the most value. Call me anytime to discuss your short and long
term plans!
Terez Harris NOLA Real Estate Group
(504)297-2619
Keller Williams Realty New Orleans 8601 Leake Ave. New Orleans, LA 70118 504-862-0100
Each office independently owned and operated. All brokers licensed in the state of Louisiana.
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