How to Turn your House into a Smart Home on a Budget

If you admire smart home gadgets but are too intimidated to take the step of incorporating them into your home because they are too expensive, we’re here to tell you that they are more accessible than you think. 

Here are our tips for how to turn your home into a smart home without spending a fortune:

1. Look for Discounts

You don’t have to pay retail price for the best smart home technology- you just have to do a little bit of searching. Oftentimes manufacturers make small changes, such as rebranding/repackaging that causes their items to go on sale even though the quality of the product is the same. Top retailers such as Home Depot, Lowes, Target and Best Buy often have sales on such smart home products. The GE Z-Wave smart home switches and plugs that typically run for about $50, for example, were on sale at Lowe’s for just about $8 due to packaging changes. Simply take the time to search for discounts on your favorite products and be on the lookout for the good deals that pop up. 

2. Wait for the Sales

Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Mothers and Fathers day are prime times to find great deals on the smart home devices you’ve been waiting to order. Homeowners looking to upgrade with the latest tech like smart alarm systems, outdoor lighting and video cameras can avoid spending a fortune by purchasing on Prime day, as Amazon owns Ring. Retailers will also often offer free smart home items during the popular holiday sales events, such as offering a free Echo Dot or Google Home mini with the purchase of home items. If you’re looking to purchase any type of electronic or item for your home, make sure to shop around to see if you can get a free smart device as part of your order to get the most value.

3. Opt for the Previous Model or Lesser-known Brand 

Manufacturers are constantly making newer versions of a product, so much so that it’s almost impossible to keep up. Although you may want the latest and greatest, the newer versions often  include minor changes and add-ons. By opting for the previous model of your favorite smart home devices, you still get the main functionality of the product, but at a much more reasonable price. The Amazon Echo devices and Ecobee thermostats are great examples of products that have great previous models for half the price of the newest versions. 

Smart home technology isn’t just for the millionaire or elite class of homeowners- by following these tips, smart home technology is much more accessible to every homeowner who aspires to transform their house into their dream home. 

At Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Verani Realty, we strive for innovation. As one of the top real estate agencies in New England, we strive to incorporate the latest and best practices. We have REALTORS® all around New Hampshire, Northern Massachusetts, and Southern Maine so, if you’re looking to buy or sell your home, or simply have questions relating to your real estate journey go to verani.com today to find a Verani agent in your area.