Smart home devices enable property owners to automate a wide range of everyday tasks – everything from cleaning each bedroom in a residence to securing a house against burglaries and other threats. Yet not all smart house gadgets are identical. And if a homeowner fails to plan ahead for smart home technology investments, they risk spending money on smart house devices that fail to meet their needs.
Ultimately, there are lots of factors to consider before you purchase a smart house device, and these factors include:
1. Your Residence
Think about how you will use a smart home device in your residence – you will be happy you did. If you consider a smart house device's potential applications, you can determine exactly how you will leverage this gadget in your home.
Oftentimes, it helps to analyze everyday tasks you complete around your home, as well as how a smart house device will help you speed up the process of finishing these tasks. If you spend several hours each week vacuuming your one-floor home, for example, a smart robot vacuum may help you simplify the process of keeping your home dirt- and debris-free. Or, if you frequently need to adjust the thermostat at night, a programmable smart thermostat will help you control your house's temperature like never before.
2. Your Budget
Smart house devices are available across different price points. At the same time, you may have only a finite amount of money to spend on smart home gadgets. If you put together a budget, however, you can minimize the risk of overspending on smart house devices.
Don't forget to shop around for smart home devices, too. Both brick-and-mortar and online stores may offer discounts on smart house gadgets at different times during the year. If you conduct an in-depth search for smart home devices, you may find quality smart house gadgets at budget-friendly prices.
3. The Installation and Implementation Processes
Certain smart home devices require extensive installation and implementation processes. As such, it generally is a good idea to learn as much as possible about these processes relative to any smart home devices you want to buy.
If you believe you can set up and deploy a smart home device on your own, it may be beneficial to consult with a smart house gadget expert before you finalize a purchase. For instance, consulting with a retailer that specializes in smart home devices enables you to learn all about the installation and implementation process associated with a particular smart house gadget. Once you have these insights, you can make an informed decision about whether a smart home device is right for you.
When it comes to evaluating smart home technology, a cautious approach may prove to be best. If you understand different types of smart home devices and how they work, you can find gadgets that complement your individual needs. As a result, you will be better equipped than ever before to make smart home device investments that serve you well for years to come.
Do you enjoy the hustle and bustle of the big city? If so, you're sure to enjoy a city home.
Ultimately, there are many reasons to consider purchasing a home in a big city, including:
1. You can enjoy quick, easy access to public transportation.
Let's face it – owning a car sometimes can be problematic, and the costs associated with fuel, insurance and maintenance can add up quickly. However, you may be able to cut out some of these expenses if you live in the city.
Many cities feature public transportation systems that make it simple to travel from one location to the next. That way, you can avoid the hassles commonly associated with car ownership.
2. You can check out a broad assortment of attractions and entertainment.
The lights are always brightest in the city. Here, you can visit museums, historic landmarks and other attractions any time you choose.
For those who live in the city, you should have no trouble accessing a massive assortment of attractions and entertainment. From live theater performances to sports events, you can enjoy fun experiences in the city year-round.
3. You can visit a wide range of high-quality restaurants.
Foodies rejoice! Cities are home to some of the world's best restaurants, guaranteeing you can sample gourmet cuisine that you may struggle to find elsewhere.
Whether you appreciate traditional pub fare or elegant French dishes, you're sure to find exactly what you're looking for at a city restaurant. Plus, many city restaurants offer take-out menus, ensuring you can get first-rate cuisine delivered to your home.
How can you obtain a home in the city?
You don't need to be a millionaire to purchase a city home. In fact, here are three tips to ensure you can acquire an outstanding city house at a price that meets your budget:
1. Browse the housing market closely.
New homes reach the real estate market every day. As a homebuyer, you'll want to explore the housing market closely to find a residence that you can enjoy both now and in the future.
Examine the prices of recently sold homes in the city. Also, be sure to check out a variety of residences in-person. By doing so, you can understand what you can afford and map out your homebuying journey accordingly.
2. Get pre-approved for a mortgage.
Meet with multiple banks and credit unions before you begin your search for a city house. This will enable you to get pre-approved for a mortgage and kick off your home search with a homebuying budget in hand.
3. Work with a real estate agent.
Hire a real estate agent who understands a city's real estate market. This real estate professional will offer honest, unbiased homebuying recommendations. That way, you can accelerate the homebuying process and avoid the risk of spending too much on a city home.
Use the aforementioned homebuying tips, and you can move one step closer to securing your dream home in the city of your choice.
Many home buyers seek out fixer-uppers or older homes as a way to save money. And, while this method can be a great way to save, it does come with a few caveats.
Upgrades and repairs can vary greatly in price. Some might be simple, whereas others can take weeks or months, require permits, and uproot your plans. For these reasons, it’s good to know what you’re getting yourself into with home repairs.
In this article, we’re going to cover the most expensive home repairs and upgrades. That way when you find a home listing that you’re interested in, you can rule out these costly repairs early if you aren’t willing to spend the extra money on them after buying the house.
1. Sewer and septic
Finding out you need to replace a sewer line or a septic system can be a nightmare. Sewer lines are most often damaged by tree root growth, leaving older homes the most vulnerable. On average, homeowners spend around $2,500 to repair a main sewer line.
If you move into a new home that previously only had one inhabitant, you may find that the septic system can’t keep up with the increased workload. Repairs for a septic system average around $1,500. And to replace the septic system and install a new one? You can expect to spend around $5,000 or much more, depending on your needs and location.
2. Foundation repair
Older homes are also subject to foundation damage over the years, which can cause many problems, including safety concerns and water damage.
Houses that have poor drainage and high soil moisture are particularly vulnerable to foundation damage. And, like sewer and septic issues, tree roots can also pose a problem.
For minor cracks, foundation repairs can cost as little as $500. However, more severe damage can cost up to $10,000. On average, Americans spend around $4,000 when they repair a damaged foundation.
3. Roof replacement
Roof replacements are inevitable, but there are ways to ensure you won’t have to install a new one anytime soon. For example, slate and metal roofs can last over 50 years. And concrete? A hundred years or more.
The most common type of roofs, however, are made from asphalt shingles, which last around 20 years. In terms of price, asphalt tends to be the cheapest as well, costing as low as $2,000 to replace. Metal and slate roofs are significantly more expensive, starting at $5,000 and $17,000 respectively.
4. Heat pump installation
Installing a heat pump can be quite costly, with the national average being around $5,300. However, if you live in a moderate climate, a heat pump can replace both your furnace and your air conditioning unit.
Furthermore, if you plan on staying in the home for several years, a heat pump tends to be much more energy efficient than older alternatives.
5. Kitchen remodel
Of all the household remodeling projects--basement, bathrooms, etc.--a kitchen remodel tends to be the priciest. Americans spend about $21,000 on a kitchen remodel. The most expensive part? Cabinetry and hardware at $6,000.
In this day and age, there’s no reason to have to worry about forgetting to pay your bills on time. There’s also no reason to have to write a check or even log into a website each month to pay your bills.
Using a combination of digital tools, it’s possible to fully automate your bill-paying process so that you can spend less of your free time trying to remember your passwords and entering debit card numbers and more time doing the things that make you happy.
Benefits of auto-pay
There are plenty of reasons to automate your household bills. More free time and less time stressing about money are two of them. But, did you know that automation can also be a great way to help you boost your credit score?
Late payments on mortgages, student loans, utilities, internet, and cable bills can all negatively affect your credit score. By setting up auto-pay, you can make sure you make your payments on-time, helping to build your credit.
Another huge benefit of bill automation is that you can actually earn money and other rewards by making on-time payments.
For example, setting up your bills and utilities to charge to a credit card with cash back rewards can help you earn money by paying your bills. The one caveat is that you need to make sure you pay off your credit card balance in full each month. How do you do that? With auto-pay!
Where to automate
As I mentioned before, many monthly bills can be charged to a credit card which you can use to earn rewards. However, you won’t be able to use a credit card for all of your bills. Mortgage payments, student loans, auto loans, and oftentimes utility companies will require a checking or savings account with a routing number.
In these cases, it’s still possible to set up auto-pay through either the company’s website, or through your bank’s bill-pay feature.
Need help with a list of things you could be automating? Consider setting up auto-pay or bill-pay for these services:
Cable
Internet
Cell phone
Electricity
Entertainment (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Spotify, etc.)
Rent
Mortgage
Student Loans
Insurance
Automation of the future
So, we’ve covered some of the most common ways to automate your home expenses. However, recent technologies are making it even easier to run your home and keep up with the bills.
One new innovation is Amazon’s Dash button. This service enables you to just tap a button on your smartphone or tablet whenever you need to order new pantry items for the home. Alternatively, you can subscribe for common household goods like cleaning productions, paper towels, and dish soap so that you never run out. And, with Amazon Prime, you don’t have to worry about shipping costs.
Between home automation and auto-pay, you should be able to make your home significantly easier to manage and reduce the amount of stress related to paying the bills.
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