Interest in smart homes for buyers is on the rise. With more tech-savvy millennial buyers entering the market this year, interest is predicted to grow for those who want to maximize the IoT (Internet of Things) in their lives.

But what if you’re a seller? Is it worth having an elaborate smart home system, such as Control4, in order to increase your resale value? Short answer: yes. For a fully integrated system like this, your house will definitely stand out in the market against homes that only have Alexa or Google Home devices.

However, there is much more to consider when buying or selling a smart home.

Buying a Home: What You Need to Know

Though demand for smart homes is increasing, home buyers still value the same things that they have always valued while looking for a home: security, cost/energy savings, and privacy. Having a smart home ramps up interest by amplifying those features by providing greater access to them. Here are some things to check out while shopping for a smart home:

• Security: Does the house have smart locks? Are they accessible from an app on a mobile device? Are there security cameras and a server which records and saves all the data, which you can access from anywhere? Do all of these integrate with the home automation system?
• Savings: For temperature control, see if the home has a smart thermostat. These devices will ensure your home temperature is where you want it to be at all times. Also, having an automated moisture or humidity system in your home can detect leaks which can be handled quickly and will prevent a major and expensive repair down the road. Make sure to check the warranties of the system and products as well to see if they transfer to new owners.
• Privacy: It’s important to know how the system was installed, who installed it, and if the previous owners had any issues with privacy. We take your privacy very seriously, and if you purchase a smart home and are not sure how to keep yourself protected, you can reach out to us to protect you.

Selling a Home: What You Need to Do

If you’re selling your smart home there are a few things you need to do:

• Inventory: Make a list of all of your devices and decide what it is going to stay in the home and what you are going to take. Just know that if your realtor is marketing your home as a fully-integrated smart home, people are going to expect all the bells and whistles that come with that.
  Find a Realtor Familiar with Smart Home Systems: Since it is a developing niche market, you’ll want to make sure they have experience with it and are able to highlight and demonstrate all of the features of the smart home.
• Wipe Your Information: Remove all of your administrative information and your private login information before moving out and reset all devices to their original factory settings. This will protect you and will allow the new owners to create their own accounts and passwords.

We’re not telling you anything new by saying that buying or selling a home is stressful. And with more smart homes coming on the market, as well as a rising demand for them, there is even more to consider. But don’t let that stop you from achieving your real estate goals. And whether you’re buying or selling Valley Home Theater is here to help you get your system ready.