As early as the 1990s, if you told a homeowner that they would one day be able to see a video of whoever was knocking on their door from anywhere in the world, they would have laughed at you.

The idea of voice-activated home assistants like Google Home and Alexa would have seemed like something out of a science fiction movie. Times have certainly changed since then. In 2022, thermostats you can talk to and fridges that will make your grocery list for you are completely normal.

While high-tech gadgets and “smart technology” may be more common with young homeowners, these breakthroughs actually started with the older generation. 

Some people now laugh at the infamous “Help, I’ve Fallen, and I Can’t Get Up” commercials that advertised emergency assistance at the touch of a button. However, this technology from the 1980s was only a precursor for the host of innovations we enjoy today.  

Homeowners of all ages are embracing new technology for many reasons. 

To stay safe

Smart security alarms can monitor your property and automatically notify the authorities of any suspicious activity, even when you’re fast asleep or not even home. Emergency alerts on smartwatches and mobile phones can dial 911 in the case of a fall or accident. Technology doesn’t just help during emergencies, either. Browse the play store on your phone or tablet, and you’ll discover a multitude of apps dedicated to improving the quality of your life and keeping you healthy. You can download apps to remind you to take your medicine, motivate you to exercise, and track your eating to help maintain a healthy weight.

For Convenience

Let’s face it. Everyone is busy in today’s hectic society. Every day of the week, there are work events, school events, sports activities, music lessons and more. People have less time for cleaning, cooking and the everyday maintenance of the house. 

Once again, technology steps in to help. 

There are robot vacuums, Bluetooth-activated toaster ovens and microwaves. You can even find coffee makers you can program to have your cuppa hot and steaming for you as soon as you wake up. With a simple spoken command, you can find out what is happening with the weather or set a timer to let you know when your new class is starting.

For Recreation and Entertainment

Imagine putting your feet up after a long day at work and telling your TV to recommend a movie you’re sure to love, based on the last few movies you watched. Or you can instruct your virtual home assistant to play your favourite music to help you unwind. You can even ask your Google Home or Alexa to tell you a joke so you can start your day with a laugh.

To Increase Resale Value of Your Home

Whether you’re planning to sell or not, it’s always wise to keep its resale value in mind. Everywhere you look, there are simple ways to make your house appealing to buyers. There are obvious upgrades like a fresh coat of paint or new hardware for the kitchen cupboards. But did you know that turning your house into a “smart home” can help raise its value?

With that in mind, here are some of the “Must Have” Technology Upgrades for 2022.

Smart Doorbells

Gone are the days when you would have to open the door to see who showed up at your home. Smart doorbells like the Google Nest and Blink Video allow you to monitor the entrances to your home from anywhere, even when you’re in another city. This technology is wildly convenient, and it also helps to keep your family safe. What better way to keep intruders or unwanted visitors away and deter porch pirates and other criminals?

Everyone wants to feel safe, especially in their own home. The small investment of installing a smart doorbell can pay off if you ever want to sell. 

Smart Thermostat

Imagine sitting on your couch, enjoying your favourite TV show. You start to feel a little chilly, so you grab your phone and turn the temperature up by a degree. You don’t have to get up and fiddle with the thermostat. And if you have a Google Home or Alexa, you can even use a voice command to raise or lower the temperature.

Beyond convenience, a smart thermostat can result in significant savings on your utility bills. You can pick one up for less than $200, or you may even be able to get one for free, depending on your service provider. Once installed, you can set your smart thermostat and then forget it. It will work day and night to adjust the heating and cooling in your house around your schedule. When you leave for work, it will power down to save you money. However, you won’t come home to a house that’s too cold. The thermostat knows your schedule and will set the temperature to your desired comfort level just in time for your arrival.

Smart Smoke Detectors

Though a critical component of every home, a smoke detector can be finicky and disruptive. Some will go off at the slightest hint of smoke, shrieking away every time you heat up some french fries. And everyone has had the annoyance of the low battery warning beeps in the early hours of the morning. The solution to all of these annoying issues? Install a smart smoke detector that you can control from your phone. Then you’ll get an alert before your alarm is about to go off, so you can silence it when not needed. And no more “dead battery” beeps because a smart alarm sends you alerts when the power gets low.

Smart Locks

Everyone under 40 remembers the days when your parents would hide a key under a mat outside if you needed to get into the house when they were away. Unfortunately, all the home intruders and burglars also knew where these keys were hidden.

Homeowners breathed a sigh of relief when the combination padlocks became available for front doors. No more worrying about lost keys or fumbling through your coat pockets while holding three bags of groceries.

A smart lock takes it a step further. Now you don’t even have to worry about remembering the combination. If you know the passcode to your phone, you can get in the house. Some smart locks even give you access through your fingerprint! And when you need to have someone take care of the house while you are away, there’s no need to have another key cut. You can simply create a code for them that expires once they no longer need access to your home.

When preparing your house for a sale, be sure to include some or all of these high-tech smart features. The cost of installation is minimal but will provide the best value of all to a prospective buyer: convenience and the peace of mind of feeling safe. 

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Installing smart technology isn’t the only way to add value to your home. Check out some of our other articles on home improvements here:

• Renovating With Accessibility in Mind
• How to Prepare Your Home to Appeal to Millenial Buyers
• The Value of a Home Office

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Are you planning to sell your home in 2022 and want to get the best value possible? The Armin Group is dedicated to providing exceptional service and expertise at every step in the process. Reach out to us here.