When preparing to list your home, you want to have every advantage possible available — especially in a competitive market. Part of that means considering upgrades that can turn your not-so-smart home into a tech-forward pad.
Even if you aren’t gadget-obsessed, getting the inside scoop on the next big thing in consumer tech is pretty cool. So we hunted down some home tech trends at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to see what’s on the horizon, particularly for homeowners who might be ready to sell.
Here are three home-tech trends (some available now, others will be in the near future) guaranteed to make your home the most desirable — and smartest — house on the block.
Whirlpool’s interactive kitchen is innovative with a sleek design. Image via Whirlpool.
1. Interactive kitchens
Think about upgrading your kitchen — then take it to a whole new level.
Whirlpool presented a sleek and modern concept kitchen. There are some flashy components, like a projector inset in the stove hood that displays recipes while you cook, but there are some behind-the-scenes tricks that could be life changing.
All of the appliances “talk” to one another. (Really.) So, for example, your fridge can let you know that a certain ingredient may be about to expire — and should be included in tonight’s dinner.
If you’re not quite ready for the full “Interactive Kitchen of the Future 2.0,” there are some other smart appliances that can help boost your kitchen’s curb appeal. Thermador offers a touch-screen induction cooktop that combines speedy cook times with a modern interface.
The SAGE home security and automation system connects your TV and mobile devices seamlessly. Image via EchoStar.
2. Seamless home security
Safety is always top of mind for prospective buyers. EchoStar’s SAGE™ is a home security and home automation service that connects to your TV and mobile devices.
For example, a sensor can send an alert to your TV and smartphone when someone rings the doorbell; a window pops up with alerts, including a live image of somebody at the door if a doorcam is installed.
According to EchoStar, the satellite service provider affiliated with Dish Network, this is the first system that combines the smart-home experience with the TV-viewing experience: “The television-centric SAGE system enables consumers to check on children in another room via a video feed, see who rang the doorbell, or lower the room temperature—all from the comfort of the sofa in front of the living room TV.”
Here’s the kicker: It’s supposedly easy to install, even for the non-techies among us.
WeMo products are great for everyday solutions. They make a sensor that checks your water pressure and alerts you before leaks even happen.
3. Clever automation integration
With wearables on the rise, it might be worth investing in something from Big Ass Fans. (Seriously, that’s the name of the company.)
Their sleek, modern Haiku fan integrates with Jawbone, the wearable fitness tracker, to offer a “Sleep Mode.” Using data from the Jawbone, the fan can identify the optimal temperature for a restful night’s sleep — and then Jawbone spits back all sorts of fun graphs and charts for an in-depth understanding of how you slept.
WeMo’s list of eco-friendly applications and their cool connected home products make you want to buy every single thing on their site, especially given that their products offer solutions to common problems.
How about an app with a moisture sensor that won’t allow your sprinklers to run when it’s raining? Or having your bedroom lights turn off as soon as you plug in your cell to charge for the night? Need to check your water pressure? WeMo makes a sensor that’ll detect leaks before they get problematic.
Plus, WeMo products integrate with many old-school brands that potential buyers might already own, like Mr. Coffee and Crock-Pot®.
