Great position – tick. Great street appeal – tick. Smart home technology – tick. Automation is a feature many property buyers now seek as they go about the search for their ideal home, and this trend is only likely to rise in the coming years. So, what should you consider if automation is on your list of property “must-haves”? Here’s our list of what to look for if you’re buying an existing smart home.
Connectivity
Smart technology is dependent on the internet, so automation is only as good as the connection available. Your internet speed and capacity affect everything from how quickly the devices within a smart home communicate to how many devices can operate at the same time.
Fortunately, with the rollout of the National Broadband Network, many homes now have the fastest internet connection available, or will have in the very near future. But it is worth double checking what type of internet is available in any home you’re looking to buy.
Even if a home currently does not have automation, and you are considering installing one, internet connectivity is an essential.
An ecosystem
When people think of a smart home, they often look at the devices operating within it, like smart televisions, or smart fridges. A truly automated home actually runs on an ecosystem allowing the home occupant to seamlessly integrate an array of devices, much of which is unseen.
This ecosystem includes a hub, sensors and activators. Sensors ascertain the current environment, looking at factors like temperature and lighting or whether something is open or closed, activators allow action to be taken in response, and the hub is the central place where all this information is relayed and processed.
The set-up of this ecosystem is vital to how well the smart home operates. Quality ecosystems ensure home automation is a seamless, intuitive experience, while a clunky ecosystem comprising a mix of devices added on an ad hoc basis affects smart home performance.
Ascertain which system the property is using and do a little research into its reputation, performance and how easy it will be to add new features or products.
The operating system
Connecting to the ecosystem is the operating system. Akin to software, this is the interface that allows people to use the smart home via their tablet or mobile phone. If you’re looking at buying an automated home, ideally all features of it will be incorporated into one ecosystem, controlled by one operating system or app.
Consider your needs
If automation is a must-have on your new home checklist, consider why you feel this technology is important. Is it because you seek a security system, automatic locking, or remote home monitoring?
Automated homes can offer all features or a selection of features, so be sure to establish which ones you’re after and see them in action in any property you’re looking to buy.
Installation
While home automation might be on the list of features you’re looking for in a property, don’t let an absence of smart home technology put you off an otherwise perfect property.
At Lera Smart Home Solutions, we specialise in retrofitting smart home technology to homes, using the existing wiring. The process is generally quick, simple, and a lot less expensive than people imagine.
About Lera
Lera Smart Home Solutions is a leading installer of smart home technology in the greater Sydney region. Our team boasts over 20 years’ experience in IT networking, programming and the electrical industry.
We have sourced the most reliable and cost efficient solutions from around the world to provide the very best in smart home solutions, and work with our clients to understand their needs.
You can learn more about transforming your house into a smart home here, or contact us directly for further advice.
