How’s the market? – February, 2018

How’s The Market

Dear Friends,
We’re off to a great start in 2018. Check out the latest market data, JoniHomes highlights and some industry scoop on smart home technology.
Best,
Joni

Smart house equipment is all the rage, quickly ascending many homeowner wish-lists, but are these devices sound investments on resale?

The use of smart home devices in US homes is expected to grow at a five-year compound annual growth rate of 42%, and this is mostly fueled by the introduction of smart speaker products like Alexa and Echo, according to Forrester research, a Massachusetts advisory firm.

Device categories, according to Forrester are safety/security, temperature control, smart lighting/electrical monitoring, care monitoring for pets and people, garden and lawn control, and speaker systems including VR assistants, which integrate your gadgetry. Prices range from $35 for a smart appliance plug to tens of thousands of dollars for integrated technology and theater systems or say, wifi-controlled electronic shades.

But can homeowners expect to see a return on investment for these gizmos when they go to sell? According to Consumer Reports, owners can increase the value of their home up to 5% by adding smart features. This is due mostly to the increase in buyers’ perceptions that they will be saving themselves headaches, time and most of all money — and will generally make their lives safer and more secure. As a result, home appraisers have already begun to take this into account when calculating the value of a property, according to Realtor.com.

So sounds like its better to be safe (and smart) than sorry.

Here’s a look at some Consumer Electronics Show (CES) highlights…

Picturesque, recently-renovated and expanded classic, brimming with character features, alongside “smart” electronics. 6-bedrooms, 7.5 baths and conveniently-located in Greenfield Hill, Fairfield’s scenic estate area, near shopping, transportation and schools. $2.440M

Looking forward to sharing more photos of this and other special properties, coming soon to the MLS….