Forbes magazine has called Asheville “an emerging Silicon Valley.” And if the O.G. Silicon Valley has taught us anything, it’s that where innovation is on the rise, there are sure to be tech-savvy Millennials with new money and an interest in high-end real estate. We’ve seen this trend in recent years, leading to one of the strongest surges in the history of luxury sales in the Blue Ridge.
Now, there are 77.8% more luxury homes for sale than this time last year. That’s great news for luxury buyers looking for a more even playing field. But as a luxury seller, how do you distinguish your property from similar homes on the market?
One good tactic is to invest in smart home technology.
Better Homes and Gardens has found that 64% of Millennial home buyers value smart home technology as a primary factor when purchasing a home. Studies by REALTrends show that 59% of buyers with children and 47% of buyers without children would pay more for a home with smart technology already installed. And Houzz found that 24% of current home buyers would consider adding smart home technology features in a home renovation. Getting the picture?
There are dozens of smart devices designed to make your home at once more accessible and more secure. Here are just a few that would add value to a luxury home you’re putting on the market.
1. Smart Locks and Security Systems
Imagine using your existing house keys, existing deadbolt, secure pin, a fob, your smartphone, or a combination of the above to open your front door. Whatever your preferences, you can find the best secure smart lock for you. There are many brands on the market, but the most recommended this season is the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock. It fits over your existing deadbolt, meaning you can still use your physical key, and it’s a breeze to install. You can use the app to assign and revoke timed virtual keys for guests or service professionals. And best of all, it’s discretely 45% smaller than older August models.
For a full suite of security system devices, try ADT Command or SimpliSafe Home Security System.
2. Smart Video Doorbells
You’ll never miss your Amazon Prime delivery again (or the bears that stop by!) with a smart doorbell. See, hear, and speak to whoever is at your door, even when you’re not at home. The Arlo Video Doorbell was named best overall this year. It’s easy to install, performs well, and features 180-degree HD video, night vision, two-way audio, and motion detection zones. By adding an affordable cloud storage subscription, you also have access to advanced functionality like custom animal, person, vehicle, and package alerts.
3. Smart Voice-Command Thermostats
Sustainability and luxury lifestyles work best in combination! The most popular (and most affordable) smart thermostat this season is the Amazon Smart Thermostat. This thermostat is Energy Star certified and is easy to use with a compatible Alexa-enabled smart speaker or display. But unfortunately, it’s not compatible with Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit. For an option with voice integrations that work with all those speakers and more, try the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium. Its compatibility makes up for its higher price tag. Cozy living is just a swipe away.
4. Smart Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Put safety first with top-of-the-line smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Adding smart technology allows you to be sure of your home’s safety even while continents away. Items like Google Nest Protect 2nd Generation are just as reliable as your traditional detectors. But this one alerts you through your Nest app before the full home alarm sounds. A combination of photoelectric and ionization sensors detect both smoldering and flaming fires and greatly reduce false alarms.
If you don’t want to invest in a new device, the Roost Wi-Fi Smart Battery plugs into the 9V slot of your existing detectors and offers the same kind of alerts. You can even invite trusted friends to receive smartphone alerts while you’re away from home.
5. Smart Home Hubs and Controllers
Door lock, doorbells, speakers, TVs, thermostats, and more…. With all the new smart devices in your home, you’ll need a central system to control them all. Integrate all your new devices together with a system like the fourth-generation Amazon Echo speaker with Alexa. The Spruce named it their top pick for audio quality and usability at a reasonable price. In addition to accurate voice recognition and immersive sound, it’s also easy to set up and create Amazon Routines to manage and run your favorite tasks automatically. The Echo works with Amazon, Arlo, Ring, Blink, iRobot, and more.
Ready to Sell Your Luxury Home?
As Western North Carolina’s luxury market leader, we at Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks recognize that even our most experienced agents need support to execute a successful sale in today’s complex market. Our Luxury Marketing Program provides sellers with a personalized marketing plan designed specifically for your luxury home. The package is delivered through the cooperation of your Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks agent and our experienced Luxury Marketing Specialist, Sandra Alguire.
Contact your Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks agent today about how the Luxury Marketing Program can work for you.
A smart thermostat does seem like a thing that would be a luxury item to a home. Everyone wants to live in a nice home because they have several of this feature. It would make managing the home easier.
Right now it’s a distinguishing feature, but we expect that eventually smart tech will be a requirement for sellers.
When I think of luxury homes, I think of these devices as included. I have a smart thermostat, detectors and media hubs in my current home. I would expect them to be in a luxury house or else I wouldn’t really consider it a luxury home.
My parents want to sell their home and they want it to have a more luxurious feel. I like that you pointe out that having a smart lock on the home might help them get that feel. Having good home protection does seem like a plus.
My parents are planning to buy a luxury home when they retire. It was explained here that luxury homes have smart locks and doorbells as well for security. Moreover, it’s advisable to talk to real estate experts when considering a luxury home.
Smart technology is becoming so much more important for me when moving into a house. I think it is interesting that people about half of people would pay more for a luxury home with smart technology. We installed a smart lock and next, we are planning on adding a nest thermometer.
When I build my new home, I would want to add all of these smart devices to it. It is pretty neat that you can control pretty much all of these items from your phone. All in all, I’d be sure to get all of them installed by a trained professional.
In the past, programmable thermostats gave us a decent amount of control over our homes’ temperatures. We could set a certain temperature to keep our homes at while we were at work as well as setting up a time for the house to warm up or cool down before we got home. However, with the advent of smart thermostats, it’s easier than ever to control the temperature whenever we want to.