Is a Smart Home Right for You? Smart Home Stuff That's Actually Worth It
Is a Smart Home Right for You? Smart Home Stuff That's Actually Worth It
First Off, A Thank You: This year began with heavy hearts as the LA fires brought worry, sadness, and countless prayers to thousands of people. We are deeply grateful that our daughter + son-in-law’s home in Topanga Canyon has been spared. The devastation has been unimaginable, and our hearts go out to everyone affected, especially those with loved ones impacted.
On behalf of our family, we extend our heartfelt thanks for your kind thoughts, prayers, and support during this time. A special thanks to the brave firefighters who continue to protect our communities, you are true heroes. 🙏💛
As we set our sights on fresh goals for the new year + brighter days, it’s also a great time to consider ways to make life at home easier, safer, and more efficient. Have you heard all the buzz about “smart homes”? You’ve probably wondered if they’re worth the hype. Smart home features aren’t about turning your house into something out of a sci-fi movie. They’re more about practical ways to make daily life a bit smoother + potentially save on those lovely power bills. We’re talking about things like lights that shut off when you’re out, thermostats that adjust by themselves + security systems you can peek at from your phone.
A Very Smart Listing
We recently listed a home that took “smart” to the next level. Here’s what really caught our attention: geofencing. It may sound complicated, but it’s just an invisible boundary around your home that connects to your phone’s location. Once you drive away, the house knows you’re gone. That means it can switch off lights, nudge the thermostat up or down + even lock the doors automatically. Then, on your way back, it flips everything to the perfect setting again. You can also check in from anywhere, so no more “Did I leave the oven on?” panic attacks in the middle of vacation.
This specific “smart” listing is currently not available. BUT… if you were curious what it looks like click here to view the property.
Actually Unplug on Vacation
Speaking of vacation: picture yourself finally on the beach, toes in the sand, when that nagging thought creeps in, “Is the front door locked?” With a smart home, you just tap an app on your phone and see for yourself. Some setups even have a “vacation mode” that randomly turns lights on and off, so it looks like someone’s home. Think of it as insurance for your peace of mind.
Some of Our Favorite Smart Home Gadgets
We love anything that helps you enjoy your home more. Here are some of our favorite smart gadgets you may want to consider for your home:
➲ Smart Thermostats
These little geniuses learn your schedule + adjust the temperature to match. That way, you’re not cooling or heating an empty house. They’re also controlled through a phone app - so if you’re stuck at work and realize you cranked the AC too high, you can tweak it right there from your desk.
➲ Robot Vacuums
They’ve been around a while, but they still feel futuristic. They zip around picking up crumbs, so you don’t have to push a vacuum after a busy day. They can even mop your floors now: just fill their container with water and let it loose with a full battery charge! Extra points for letting you reclaim some “me time.”
➲ Smart Lights + Ceiling Fans
Control them from your bed, schedule them to turn on at sunset, or even change colors for movie night. Perfect for anyone who’s ever wished they didn’t have to get up just to flip a switch off or turn that ceiling fan on.
➲ Smart Plugs
These are simple plug-in adapters that let you control just about anything from your phone - lamps, coffee makers, holiday lights, etc. Some models (like ones from OhmConnect) also track energy usage, which is a nice bonus.
➲ USB Outlets
They’re not flashy, but replacing a few outlets with ones that include USB ports can save a ton of hassle + no more hunting for charging bricks!
➲ EV Chargers
If an electric car is in your future, having a home charger is a game-changer. No more searching for public charging stations! There are various models (Tesla has its own, for instance), + PG&E sometimes offers rebates - check it out here.
➲ Smart Security Cameras & Doorbells
Whether you’re at work or on a trip, it’s reassuring to see what’s happening at home. You’ll get alerts if something’s off, + you can even chat with visitors at your door via your smartphone. Many smart doorbells offer a feature to silence the doorbell sound or adjust its volume: an added bonus if your baby is taking a much needed precious nap.
➲ Smart Speakers & Voice Assistants
Amazon Echo + Google Nest – these let you run your smart home with a simple command. Ask for the weather, start a playlist, dim the lights with just your voice, or ask it to play a kids dancing song on the fly to get their wiggles out.
➲ Smart Appliances
Some fridges remind you when groceries are running low. Ovens can preheat on your drive home. A coffee maker might have your cup ready as soon as your alarm goes off. It’s the little conveniences that sometimes make the biggest difference.
Are Smart Features Really Worth It?
If you’re asking yourself whether this tech is just a novelty, the honest answer is: it depends on you. If convenience is high on your priority list or if you want to keep an eye on things when you’re gone then a few key smart features can really pay off. Saving energy is a biggie, too: a well-tuned smart thermostat can lower those monthly bills, + LED smart lights use less power overall.
If you’re thinking about resale value down the road, more and more buyers are looking for built-in smart features. It’s one of those upgrades that can make your home feel modern without a huge renovation budget.
Start Small, Then Add On
You don’t have to outfit your entire home with the latest gadgets all at once. Try a few things maybe a thermostat + a couple of smart plugs and see how you like them. You can always add more down the line, piece by piece. It’s about finding the right balance for your lifestyle rather than forcing everything to be connected from day one.
Let’s Talk About Your Next (Smart?) Home
Here at the Glentzer Group, we’re all about matching people with their dream homes.
Ready to explore what’s on the market? Click here to see our listings or fill out the form below. We’ll help you navigate your options, let’s figure out together if a smart home is right for you!