6 Questions to Ask When Purchasing a Smart Home

Important things to consider when you’re shopping for a smart home

As smart home technology continues to trend, we have seen an increase in the number of homes for sale that offer buyers the latest and greatest in home automation, smart entertainment, and security. The smart home is a hot commodity. In fact, a recent study published by the Washington Post found that 65 percent of buyers said they would be willing to spend more money for a home with smart technology upgrades.

However, for most buyers, purchasing a smart home is uncharted territory. While these upgrades offer elevated convenience, safety, and entertainment features, they also come with unique challenges, especially when devices are being transferred from one family to another. If you’ve thought about purchasing a smart home, check out these questions to make the process simple:

What do you want in home automation?

While many listings will advertise smart home upgrades, there are actually a number of technology features that allow a house to fall into the category of “smart home.” Are you looking for automation in security? Or maybe you’re interested in energy efficiency? Be sure to define what areas of your family’s lifestyle you would like to enhance or simplify, then look for homes with technology to do so.

What devices are in the home? And do they stay?

When touring a home, many smart devices will be easy to spot, but others, like smart lighting solutions, will be harder. Be sure to get a full list from the seller of all smart devices in the home and be aware of any devices that the seller may wish to take with them. It’s also a good idea to ask the seller to leave behind any manuals, so you can easily understand all of the technology available to you.

What about your current devices?

Walking into a smart home purchase, you may already own or use some smart technology, such as smart light bulbs or entertainment resources. It’s important to be aware of your current devices that will connect with your home automation and those that will need replaced. Automating a home theater, for example, does not require all smart features, so some devices such as DVD players or Blue-ray players, may or may not work with your new system.

Are there warranties connected to the devices?

Just like any other appliance, you’ll want to review the warranties and policies for any smart home technology you acquire. In addition, you’ll want to ask the seller for any serial numbers so you can transfer all devices over to yourself

Does your understanding of the technology match the devices in the home?

While you certainly don’t need to be a computer scientist to understand most smart home features, there may be some devices that are more user-friendly than others. The last thing anyone wants to do is pay for upgrades with no benefit. It’s all about finding what works for you and your family.

Have all devices been reset to default factory settings?

When it is time to take control of your devices, you want to be sure that the seller has reset everything to the default settings. This will allow you to make a new account and adjust all settings to your liking. Don’t forget to check manipulate your privacy settings!

Just like any buying experience, purchasing a smart home is all about finding the right fit for you and your family. By knowing the right questions to ask, you can easily find the smart house of your dreams. Happy smart house hunting!