Add value to your home with smart tech

There are countless articles on how to add value to your home, from converting the loft and installing double glazing, to building an outdoor kitchen and adding a driveway. One area that’s often overlooked is home tech and it shouldn’t be.

Samsung’s latest Smart Home Buyers Index found people are prepared to pay a 7.7% premium for a home with smart tech installed – that’s equivalent to an offer worth almost £20,000 more. 

Sellers stand the best chance of maximising their home’s value by installing appliances and gadgets before they come to market, as 25% of consumers questioned by Samsung considered smart technology a must-have in their next home. What’s more, 33% already want the smart technology fitted and waiting for them.

4 ways to make your home smarter

Not all smart tech is as futuristic as you may think. Much of it is easily accessible and you may have some items in your home already! And with large swathes of smart tech driven by cost and energy savings, any installation is bound to result in a better EPC rating too.

Here are our top 4 smart tech tips that could improve your home’s value and energy efficiency:

1. White goods: the kitchen is a great place to embrace smart tech and even AI. Most new appliances are now WiFi or Bluetooth enabled, allowing them to be app, voice or gesture controlled. Sophisticated AI capabilities can detect the composition of loads, and adapt cycle lengths, temperatures, detergent dosing and water amounts automatically. This results in energy, time and cost savings.

2. Heating: a smart thermostat is pretty much expected by home movers. This allows occupants to control the temperature and create bespoke heating schedules via an app or voice commands, as well as set the heating to automatically turn on when the temperature drops below a certain level. Smart radiator valves are another option. These too can be app or voice controlled, with smart functions such as pausing the heating when a window is opened.

3. Security: the reassuring ping on your smartphone when there’s someone at the door or trying to gain access is a hit with many home movers. A video doorbell, door locks that are operated by a PIN, smartphone or fingerprint, motion-sensor cameras and lights, and smart window locks can form part of a reassuring package.

4. Ambience: both light and sound throughout the home can be linked and either app or voice controlled, with the occupant able to create custom schedules around their own habits. A ’Netflix and chill’ mood lighting setting, blinds that automatically close at dusk and the ability to request a different Spotify playlist play in each room will no doubt impress.

The ultimate smart home will use a solution such as Samsung’s SmartThings app. This is compatible with 200 different brands and can unite every smart appliance and gadget for easier control. Wearable tech together with AI is also taking smart living to the next level. Capabilities include using the body’s feedback – movement, mood, blood pressure, heart rate and temperature – to dictate a home’s most comfortable heat and light levels, and even play the best matched music.

If you’d like more advice about preparing a home for sale or to let, get in touch with our team today.