New homes these days come with so many bells and whistles; it wouldn’t be shocking if your lamps sang to you and your sink made you a drink after a long day at work. These fancy technological upgrades may seem extravagant at times, but when it comes to selling your home, they may begin to sound more appealing.
The real question is, though, whether these upgrades will change the value of your home or the offers you’ll receive when selling.
Generally speaking, the answer is yes. Individuals shopping for homes in the Northern Virginia area often look for cutting-edge technologies in their homes, and moving into a property already fitted with those pieces of tech is a significant selling point. Since smart home features are desirable to traditional home buyers in the area, properties that have them will likely fetch a higher asking price than those without.
That said, there are some caveats to this news:
1. It Depends on the Type of Smart Home Features
Not all smart home technologies are created equal; some are more desirable than others. When considering a technology install or upgrade, consider who it will benefit. If it can help more than just you, it can be a great way to boost your property and get higher offers on your home. Here are some easy wins in terms of smart home upgrades:
Energy-Efficient Appliances
Northern Virginia can be an expensive area to live in, so while home buyers are looking for top-tier features, they also want to ensure they are as efficient with the energy they use as possible. Any way to cut down on utility expenses is great, so eco-friendly and water-efficient toilets, dishwashers, and showerheads are appreciated by penny-pinchers and eco-warriors.
Smart Home Security Systems
Traditional home buyers want peace of mind during and after a sale, and a home security system is a great way to give them that. Everyone wants to protect their home, belongings, and families, so offering a home that actively works to keep people safe is a widely desired feature.
If you want to equip your home with these features, there are a few options. You can pay for a fully comprehensive service that has its own technological ecosystem that runs it, or you can purchase pieces to customize your security system in a way that fits into your home. If you choose to build your security system piece by piece, here are a few features you may want to consider:
Smart Locks
Nothing is worse than leaving the house and not remembering whether or not you locked the front door. With smart locks, you don’t have to worry about your workday away because you can manage your locks from your phone. These features are highly desired by working parents and frequent travelers because they can let dogwalkers or kids coming home from school into the house with the touch of a button or make sure that the house is locked from the airport.
Alarm Systems
Having tech that allows you to monitor your home is excellent, but having tech that protects you when the worst happens is even better. A high-tech alarm system that can alert you when you have a break-in, fire, or flood can help bring you more peace of mind if something unthinkable happens. Many of these systems also automatically call emergency services so you can know that your family and home are safe and protected.
Cameras
Surveillance cameras are a hot commodity among homeowners, so a home already fitted with them will be a bonus for individual home buyers. These cameras, many of which allow you to check in on your house in real-time straight from your phone, enable parents, pet owners, and homeowners to ensure that what they love most is safe.
Bluetooth Soundsystems
Built-in speakers around the home can be a luxurious bonus to a home that can bring a bit of a boost to the asking price of a property. A sound system integrated throughout the house makes hosting parties—and cleaning up the next day—a bit better since you can live in your home with your own soundtrack.
Smart Thermostats
Temperature control in the home is critical to both comfort and affordability. The ability to control your home’s heating and cooling systems from your phone provides points for ease and comfort in your property. Homeowners love the ease of access to the thermostat from wherever they are, and accurate temperature readings can help save money on heating and cooling in the more expensive seasons of the year.
2. It Depends on the Type of Home Sale
Now, if you learned anything from the above section—don’t run out and install the latest and greatest in your home, especially if you’re preparing for a move. Yes, some upgrades can increase your home’s value, but at what price? The cost of purchasing and installing smart home features, combined with the time and effort it takes to research and integrate them, often outweighs the potential return on investment.
If you want to sell your home traditionally, wait for it to be listed and shown on the market and field offers. Home upgrades can boost interest and offers.
However, suppose your goal is to sell your home efficiently without unnecessary effort or stress. In that case, the better option may be to leave the smart features for your forever home and sell to as-is home buyers in Northern Virginia. Here’s why:
- It Saves You Time and Money
Preparing a home for sale through renovations or smart tech installations can take weeks or months. Selling as-is eliminates the need for costly upgrades and allows you to focus on the next chapter of your life instead of worrying about the state of your property. - It Appeals to Cash Home Buyers
Companies that buy houses for cash in Northern Virginia are not typically deterred by outdated features or the lack of smart technology. They’re more interested in the property’s potential than whether it has a smart thermostat or built-in speakers. This makes selling as-is a viable option, regardless of your home’s condition. - You Can Close Faster
Selling your home as-is often means a quicker sale. You can move forward faster without the need to invest, schedule showings, or negotiate over minor repairs. Cash buyers, in particular, are known for expediting the closing process, often finalizing the sale in as little as a week. - You Avoid the Hassle of DIY or Contracted Work
Even minor home upgrades require effort, whether you’re managing a DIY project or coordinating contractors, and selling as-is spares you the stress and headaches of home improvements.
The Bottom Line: Does Tech Make a Difference?
While smart home features can be appealing to traditional buyers, they’re far from necessary when selling your home. Opting to sell as-is, particularly to someone who buys houses for cash in Northern Virginia, can save you time, money, and stress while ensuring you walk away with a fair price for your property.
If you’re ready to move forward with a seamless home sale, consider selling as-is to experienced cash buyers. This approach allows you to avoid the costs and complications of smart upgrades while achieving a quick and easy sale.