daily newsletter<\/a> for the latest decor ideas, designer tips, and more!\n<\/p>\n 3 Other Home Tech Features Most Homes Should Have <\/p>\n
Credit: <\/p>\n
Krisanapong Detraphipat \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n
Cloud-Connected Security Devices <\/p>\n
Beyond smart lighting, smart security systems are another home tech feature that\u2019s highly in demand.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThese security systems allow buyers and owners to control their security with live video and audio, and even speak with delivery people remotely,\u201d Garcia says.\n<\/p>\n
Remote Locking Options <\/p>\n
Much like smart security systems, Tetzlaff says remote locking and unlocking devices are appreciated\u2014especially on second homes or investment properties.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThey’re a bit bulky right now, but they can save you or your renters in a pinch if you get locked out of the house,\u201d he says.\n<\/p>\n
These features are satellite-operated and tend to require a subscription, but Tetzlaff points out that the cost for a year\u2019s subscription is still likely to be less than the call-out fee for a locksmith during the high season.\n<\/p>\n
In-Home Saunas\u00a0 <\/p>\n
Miami-based real estate agent Chris Wands says he\u2019s seen a huge rise in demand for in-home infrared saunas and smart steam rooms.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cHealth tech used to be a luxury add-on, but now it\u2019s a core part of the home search,\u201d he says.\n<\/p>\n
In fact, Wands predicts that the coming year will only bring an increase of home wellness technology.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\u201c2026 is shaping up to be the year buyers want a fully tech-enabled sanctuary\u2014one that protects them, restores them, and quietly optimizes their lives in the background,” he says.\n<\/p>\n
5 Home Tech Features That Are Totally Overrated <\/p>\n
Credit: <\/p>\n
imaginima \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n
Smart Refrigerators <\/p>\n
As great as smart refrigerators might sound on paper, the reality never really lived up to the vision, says Garcia.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThe idea of a fridge that auto-tracks your food and lets you know when you’re out is cool, but it doesn’t work in practice for most,” he says.\n<\/p>\n
Wands agrees, and it mostly comes down to these appliances\u2019 inability to integrate well with the rest of the home\u2019s system.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the fridge tech can\u2019t evolve with the rest of the space, it becomes more of a hassle than a selling point,\u201d he says.\n<\/p>\n
Screens in Every Room <\/p>\n
While in-home smart assistants have become ubiquitous, Garcia says he warns against built-in screens and smart tablets that are ported into every room.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThese wall-built-in units, even just a few years old, are already unusable due to the speed of tech innovation and changes in device dimensions,\u201d he says.\n<\/p>\n
Built-In Speakers <\/p>\n
Much like the built-in screens, Garcia has noticed that many buyers are just as unimpressed by built-in speaker systems.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cSome home sellers push the listing agents to factor these into the listing valuation, and most buyers are unimpressed,\u201d he says.\n<\/p>\n
In fact, Garcia has noticed that the vast majority of buyers end up removing this feature once they move in.\n<\/p>\n
Smart Theaters and Media Rooms <\/p>\n
Unless you\u2019re a true movie lover, Garcia says you really don\u2019t need to install a smart theater or a dedicated media room.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cEven in ultra-luxury homes with a surplus of rooms, most purchasers are looking for spaces for all friends and family to get together and interact,\u201d he says.\n<\/p>\n
Needlessly Complicated Systems <\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve installed a full home smart system that has too many bells and whistles, Tetzlaff warns you might put off potential buyers.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cIf sellers are looking to put in home tech, keep it simple and useful,\u201d he says. \u201cIf it has multiple menu panels on a touch screen, I\u2019d stay away from it.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Key Points Opt for home tech options that are quiet, seamless, and convenient.Think carefully before installing built-in components…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":344131,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[49,48,61],"class_list":["post-344130","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-technology","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/344130","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=344130"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/344130\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/344131"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=344130"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=344130"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=344130"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}