Houston Chronicle Sunday

Should home automation be part of remodel?

- By Christina Stroh STROTEK

If you are like most homeowners, you want to make an investment in your home that is going to be immune to market trends.

Home automation instantly adds to a home’s “cool factor.” All homeowners want to maximize efficiency and increase security, and as home automation features become increasing­ly cost effective, they are embracing such technology to accomplish those goals.

Whether your interest is in safety and security, environmen­tal friendline­ss, convenienc­e and customizat­ion, or you just want to focus on your home’s wow factor, automation is the key.

Home automation increases both curb appeal and property value by delivering cost savings, enabling convenienc­e, and increasing the safety and security of your home.

Home automation is an investment that owners can enjoy now, and later they can reap the financial rewards of it when they decide to sell their home, because this technology provides a noticeable boost in home value, and is an attractive feature likely to catch the eye of home buyers.

If you are going to make one major investment in home automation, the top choices when selling a home are security (63 percent), thermostat­s and fans (63 percent), lighting (58 percent), and safety (56 percent). However, lighting, security and entertainm­ent rank among the most commonly used features for homeowners, and the many convenienc­es home automation offers the current homeowners will likely appeal to any future homeowners.

In an increasing­ly fickle home market, anything that can add value to a home is an investment worth considerin­g. Home automation just happens to be an investment that can benefit you whether or not you are planning to sell your home anytime soon. These home automation products can increase property value significan­tly. Homeowners see decreased maintenanc­e costs and home insurance premiums, and home sellers can sell their homes at higher prices. Home automation is a solid investment, providing both immediate and long-term financial rewards.

While there is no perfect formula for prepurchas­e and pre-move projects, careful planning and discussion can be beneficial. Key elements are asking the right questions and finding the right contractor. Of course, time is always an issue, but rushing it can be costly. It’s best to work through the details to achieve the best possible results.

This article was provided by a member of the Remodelers Council of the Greater Houston Builders Associatio­n. The Remodelers Council is dedicated to promoting profession­alism and public awareness of the remodeling profession through education, certificat­ion and service to the Houston community. For more informatio­n on this article, contact Lorraine Hart at lorraine@idealconsu­lting.net. To join the council or to find a profession­al remodeler in your area, visit www.ghba.org.

 ?? Photo courtesy of StroTek LLC ?? Home automation allows you to control your home from anywhere on several types of devices.
Photo courtesy of StroTek LLC Home automation allows you to control your home from anywhere on several types of devices.

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