Science fiction has always had a knack for showing how homes would look like in the future. Back then, many thought that the gadgets and gizmos shown in “The Jetsons” or “Back to the Future” were too far fetched, yet many of them have become reality today.
From cleaning robots to do-everything kitchen devices, homes today are more advanced than ever, allowing you to perform and manage major daily tasks much easier and faster than ever before.
If you truly want to enjoy the benefits of a smart home, here are things you need to consider:
- Choose your assistant
A digital assistant is considered the “brain” of a smart home system – having one gives you a centralized way to control all of your home’s different systems. You can find plenty of smart assistants on the market, but Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, and Google Assistant are the most popular by far. Each assistant has its strengths and weaknesses, and knowing what these are is the key to choosing the one that suits your needs best.
- Choose your controller
The next step to a smarter home is to purchase a controller for your assistant, otherwise known as a smart home hub. For Apple’s Siri, there’s the HomePod. For Google, the Home Max or Mini. And for Alexa, there’s the Amazon Echo. These controllers let you manage all your smart components from a single interface. All of them allow you to set up voice commands, but if you prefer programming routines for your lights, digital locks, thermostats, security cameras, and whatnot, Google Assistant comes highly recommended.
- Choose your hardware
With your assistant and controller selected, your next order of business is to purchase appliances and fixtures that are not only Wi-Fi compatible but also optimized for use with your assistant. You also need to choose smart devices that are attuned with one another so they can work together. This requires a bit of research because you have to learn about the features and capabilities of every smart device you purchase to see if they meet your needs.
- Know your priorities
Nowadays, almost everything can be controlled by an assistant including refrigerators, lighting fixtures, power outlets, thermostats, door locking mechanisms, and more. So before you get overwhelmed by the number of choices before you, it’s vital that you make a list of your smart home priorities to give your effort some direction. For instance, do you want to make your home more secure? Perhaps you want a cozy fire burning in the fireplace when you get home. Or have your meat defrosted while you’re out grocery shopping. Let priorities inform your decision on which smart home devices to purchase.
Looking to buy or sell a smart home? Trust us to find you the right piece of property or the right buyer so you can achieve your real estate goals. Talk to us about the specifics of your buying or selling needs in Silicon Valley. Contact the David & Sunny real estate team to help you. Call 650.489.6251 or email davidandsunny(at)compass(dotted)com.