Smart technology is here to stay. You may feel like you’re living in the future when you set your Los Angeles luxury real estate up with smart lights and a home thermostat you can change from your phone, but it’s all very real, and very attainable right now.
Whether you’re in the best Beverly Hills Post Office neighborhood or you’re in an upscale condo looking to make your life easier, these are the best upgrades you can make to your home today to step out of the 1970s and into the future of homes.
Smart plugs
This is the most straightforward and easiest upgrade you can do. Seriously—this will take less than ten minutes total to set up and you'll be able to control anything plugged into that outlet with your phone, Alexa, or Google Home system. If you want a smaller upfront cost you can buy the outlet plugs for just a few dollars online, or you can change out the actual plugs for a smart system. This adds a lot of value to your Los Angeles luxury real estate.
Smart bulbs
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
Take your smart home up a notch and upgrade not just your plugs, but your lightbulbs. About 12% of your energy bills each month are from lighting, though depending on the size of your Los Angeles luxury real estate property, that number might be a little higher. With a swap to smart bulbs, the first benefit you’ll notice is a serious decrease in your electric bills. You can also turn the lights off and on from your phone, tablet, or with your voice, or set routines so they turn off and on automatically depending on the time of day. Some even change color!
Smart speakers
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
This is another easy one, and if you buy the type of speaker compatible with your smart plug, you can control your lights or devices with your voice. The two most common are Google Nest and Amazon’s Alexa, but there are other options on the market too. These can be plugged in anywhere as long as you have a reliable wireless Internet connection.
You can play music, listen to the news, hear about the weather, or even schedule reminders. Set routines mean you can tell your speaker “good morning” and it’ll turn on the bedroom light, play the morning news, and even turn the temperature in the house up.
Smart thermostat
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
This is the best upgrade you can do to improve the resale value of your home. If you’re looking at Beverly Hills Post Office neighborhood homes to upgrade to but want some tech to help you boost that price, a smart thermostat will do the trick.
The biggest name brand on the market is Nest, but there are many options out there. Google estimates that the average user also saves between 10-12% on their heating bills (not wildly relevant with Los Angeles luxury real estate, in fairness) and up to 15% on their cooling bills. You can control the temperature of the home from your phone or computer and schedule a routine so your home is cool when you come home. It’s ideal.
Smart door locks
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
This is the coolest smart addition to your Los Angeles luxury real estate, and it’s easy to do, too. If you’re tired of fumbling with your keys when your arms are full of groceries or worry about whether you locked the front door when you left the house half awake on the way to the airport, a smart lock can help.
These new locks are also really neat, with Bluetooth features that can detect when you come home and unlock the door for you, or check if it’s locked right from your phone. If your Internet is down, you can still unlock most with a key or a code!
Smart solar panels
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
Did you know that you can actually improve your solar panels? If you already have panels in place, that is. If not, I suggest you look at them—solar panels can increase your home’s resale value by up to $15,000 and save you over $1,500 a year. Depending on your HOA, and if you’re in the Beverly Hills Post Office neighborhood or another iconic 90210 zip code, you may have some restrictions.
Smart solar panels and systems use a high-tech meter to calculate your usage, and some will even move during the day to face the sun, just like a giant flower. If you want to save money and the environment, this is a good place to start.
Smart kitchen appliances
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
This is a big project, so let’s talk about all the major kitchen upgrades you can make at once. There are a variety of small appliances like Bluetooth-controlled sous vide sticks and air fryers that you can control with your phone that will improve your life, but not add a lot if you’re looking to sell and move into the Beverly Hills Post Office neighborhood.
Upgrading your actual appliances is a bigger dedication, but technology has come a long way. There are built-in double ovens that have Wi-Fi enabled so you can check the temperature from the bedroom or office, a fridge that lets you see inside of it without opening the door, and will listen to your voice and open on command.
Considering an upgrade?
Are you looking at Beverly Hills Post Office neighborhood homes, and planning all the smart upgrades you’re excited about? When you’re ready to start looking, reach out to Rochelle Maize. Rochelle is one of the top producing agents in her group and works with the absolute best Los Angeles luxury real estate. She can help find you the perfect home ready for all your smart upgrades and list your current home for top dollar so you can get the best of the best.
*Header photo courtesy of Unsplash
*Header photo courtesy of Unsplash
