Waukesha County Home

HOME MARCH 2018 6 414-861-4750 • KLRD@AOL.COM • Waukesha Home Remodeling Services • Kitchens • Bathroom • Basement • Home Additions • Tiling Projects • Hardwood Flooring • Decks • Fencing • Siding 259605005 (StatePoint) — From smart thermostats to remotely controlled showers, connected homes are all the rage for today's home- owners and those looking to make a pur- chase, providing easy opportunities to boost your profit when you sell. Over half of millennials (57 percent) believe that smart home technology is a good investment in their home, according to a recent survey by "Better Homes and Gardens." Upgrading to include connected items can make your home more appeal- ing to this "next generation" of homebuy- ers in particular. If you're looking to sell, here are some of the latest and greatest smart home upgrades to have on your radar. Climate control Your thermostat is responsible for half your energy bill — more than appliances and electronics — so make sure to choose one wisely. Consider installing a smart thermostat, which learns your tempera- ture preferences, and can save energy by turning heating and cooling on and off, based on the weather outside, your home's energy profile and more. Potential home- buyers will love the energy savings, as well as the ability to control the thermo- stat from anywhere with their devices. A hands-free faucet Imagine the convenience of having a kitchen faucet turn water on or off, with- out a touch. Faucets with hands-free tech- nology, such as Moen's MotionSense Wave single-sensor models, allow users to easily activate the faucet with the wave of a hand. Great for when your hands are too full or messy to turn on the faucet, the technology also minimizes the spread of dirt and germs, since there's no need to touch the faucet to start the flow of water. It's just the type of smart upgrade to attract house hunters of all ages — and easy on the wallet, with options available for under $300. Bright lighting Smart lighting dimmer and sensor sys- tems allow you to turn lights on and off remotely with a smartphone, and can be customized to perform certain actions, such as slowly growing brighter as you wake up or turning off automatically when you leave your home — providing added convenience and customization for prospective buyers. These systems are especially useful when you're traveling — allowing you to turn your lights on and off remotely, so your home doesn't look empty while you're away. Picture showing potential buyers how they can control all of the lights in the home with one device, or turn off the lights after they're snuggled up in bed — and get ready for the offers to roll in. A digital shower An updated bathroom is a huge selling point for potential buyers. If you're plan- ning a renovation, enhancing your space with a digital shower can make a big dif- ference for your family now and for future homebuyers. To provide the ultimate in personaliza- tion, select a system such as U by Moen, the first Wi-Fi/cloud-based digital shower on the market, which allows users to precisely set shower temperature and flow with an in-shower digital controller, or from the smartphone app. Plus, it can be voice acti- vated with products like Amazon Alexa, for a connected home experience. By swapping just one or two items — like your thermostat or a builder-grade kitchen faucet — you can achieve a sleeker, smarter home. And while the return on investment varies for each product, they're all sure to appeal to tech-loving homebuy- ers whenever you choose to sell. Home improvements designed for the next generation of buyers Appeal to house hunters with smart home upgrades Submitted photo A hands-free motion-sensing faucet is an upgrade with all-ages appeal.

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