We’ve all read the theories that having the smell of baking bread and the aroma of freshly-made coffee makes a home a more appealing prospect for any potential buyers taking their first look around.

But today’s savvy home hunters are just as likely to assume that sellers are trying to distract their attention from other, less desirable, elements of the home. And no less an authority than property expert Phil Spencer of Location, Location, Location fame agrees that these are warning signs that should put you on your guard.

So the motto is “sellers beware!” – and if this includes you then perhaps the answer will be to invest in some tech that isn’t a breadmaker or coffeemaker, but something that is much smarter altogether.

That’s because buyers today are looking for places that are equipped for the lifestyles we all want to lead in the 21st Century – and that means smart homes.

After all, technology has already transformed the home buying process with online brokers like Trussle offering free mortgage advice and introductions to lenders offering the most appropriate and competitive loans. So it stands to reason that technology should also be informing many other kinds of purchasing decisions as well.

While we may not yet be living in the brave new world of automation that was being predicted in the 1960s and 70s, we have moved a considerable way along in this direction. And the great thing is that it doesn’t have to be a luxury mansion to incorporate smart technology, even the most modest abode with a wi-fi connection can include it.

“Mobile First” (CC BY 2.0) by Timor Kodal

For example, one of the most fundamental ways in which you can use tech to enhance your home is by investing £200 or so in a smart thermostat. This connects to your boiler and can be controlled by an app you download onto your phone or tablet.

The beauty of this is that you’ll be able to adjust, turn off and turn on your heating from anywhere with an internet connection. So if you’re stuck working late and don’t need the heating to come on at the usual time, you can control it at a distance. With buyers often conscious of the costs of running a home, this money-saving gadget ticks another box for them.

Another big concern for home buyers is just how secure their home will be, especially as burglaries seem to be on the rise. Therefore, a smart security system is obviously a very strong selling point too. There are a number of elements to a system, from having the ability to turning lights on and off to give the impression that someone’s home to using CCTV cameras that can be accessed remotely.

Entry systems are also becoming increasingly sophisticated with video doorbells and key-less locks that use face and fingerprint recognition technology.

So the moral is simple. If you want to make yours a home that is extra appealing to buyers, it’s time to get smart.

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