Want to sell your house faster? Fill it with smart home gadgets like Alexa
Making a house a smart home is a solid investment, according to an estate-agent with 15 years of experience
TRANSFORMING a flat or house into a smart home fitted with Amazon Echos and Nest Thermostats can help you flog the property faster, according to an expert estate agent.
While these types of gadgets are becoming more affordable, you could easily sink £1,000 on them, leaving many people wondering whether they make a good investment.
The answer is yes – though you may not get your money back – says Angel Piontek, an estate agent with 15 years of experience under her belt.
Instead, they may help your pad stand out from the competition, resulting in a faster sale.
It all boils down to the smart home products you own and how you advise potential buyers on their benefits, claims Piontek.
"If I walk into four houses in the same neighborhood, and one has a Nest thermostat and the agent has educated me that it could save 10 to 12 percent in my heating and cooling, that’s going to stick out in my mind," the veteran estate agent told .
"While the other houses maybe I’m going to forget about," she added.
To ensure your flash smart home gadgets take centre stage during a viewing, Piontek recommends pointing them out.
"When we list smart homes, by the Nest thermostat I’ll have a little laminated placard that says, 'This is a Nest thermostat, and you can get more information here,'" she said.
And be creative: instead of opting for a tiny Amazon Echo Dot or Google Home Mini that will be hard to spot, invest in gadgets that make an impression.
Things like energy-efficient Phillips Hue smart LED lightbulbs and the aforementioned smart thermostats from Nest and Honeywell.
Or smart locks, security cameras, and smart doorbells for security-conscious buyers.
But make sure you choose brands people recognise, explains Piontek.
"I would choose products that the consumer knows and is familiar with. Like Nest, of course, or Ring doorbells, stuff like that," said the estate agent.
"That will resonate with buyers. When they hear the name, they know exactly what it does, so you don’t have to do a lot of explaining."
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But make sure to re-set the smart locks before you leave, she warns, otherwise the next owner won't be able to enter their new home.
What are the smart home gadgets you can't live without? Let us know in the comments.
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