Smart Home Trends in 2019
For those of us that are older, and I don’t mean by much…we remember days long ago when you had to dial a phone on the wall that was tethered by the long curly cord, when you had to snail mail a letter and wait for a response, when you left your doors unlocked or when you had to actually get up from the couch and turn the TV channel. It does not seem like it was that long ago, but in terms of technology, it was hundreds of years ago. We are an ever-evolving society today. Technology is developing fast and furious. Just look at the iPhone technology. As soon as they push out a new version, they are already looking at pushing out the next one in six months.
So how does this relate to your Jersey Shore second home you ask? While the smart home technology is fairly new, it is gaining traction in our world at great speed. Smart home trends in real estate are becoming the way. The way we live, think and work. I remember a long time ago, as a kid, going to Disney World and riding the tram through the Futuristic ride. The one where they showed the lady of the house pushing a button and the vacuum came alive or the oven just cooked and delivered a meal. Where telecommunication was viewed through a video screen on the wall. As a kid, it was exciting to see this and think that someday, this could be my world. Well… it’s here!
Once the internet came alive publicly, the technology has been coming at rapid fire. We can now talk to a small device and have our home lights come on or control the temperature of our home from a smart phone app and be hundreds of miles away. And of course, you don’t even need to get up from the couch now. Just talk into the remote and your TV will find what you are looking for.
Living at the shore, I find some of the technology too much for me. But I recognize that if you own a second home or investment property here, the technology is really a great tool. As a local Realtor, I’m in and out of homes all week long. I see many homes are beginning to tech up and install these smart home features. The most popular
The Ring has a doorbell with a viewing capability as well as additional security cameras you can install around the home. You can be anywhere and see who is at your doorstep, when a package is delivered, etc. Our neighbor uses Ring on their second home. They really like it. We’ve had great conversations about Fedex showing up with a package, the contractor they hired stopping by, etc. There are other companies with similar technology so check them out.
Let’s say you are heading down to the shore. It’s a long day in traffic, its hot out. You still have to stop at the grocery store and pick up perishables. Why not jump on your smart phone and turn the air conditioning on at your shore home to begin cooling the house down for your arrival? Or, maybe you waited for the traffic to subside and you are coming in after dark. Turn the lights on ahead of time so you arrive to a lighted home? How about heading to the beach? The whole family wants to go, but gosh… someone has to stay and clean. Who stays behind? Or do you click a button and have your Rumba do the vacuuming? We can always put a dust cloth in the kid’s hands when we return, right?
So, let’s dive into what the options might look like for your home at the Jersey Shore…
CNET has a great article on “Best Smart Home Devices for 2019” online. Aside from the typical smart technology like speakers, home security and robot vacuums, there are some really great new features out there. Such as leak detectors, thermostats, locks, bathroom mirrors, light bulbs, wall switches, plugs
For a second home at the shore, I can see how the flood detection device might be a great feature. Unfortunately, it runs on electric so if the electric goes out, you won’t know anything more from it.
The home shade device is great. You can control the shades remotely via an app. A great tool so the home looks occupied. The same thing with the lights and security cameras. You can really keep tabs on your home away from home and deter break-ins. They have other gadgets you can add too like the thermostat, appliances, etc. These features are great when you are not present because you can adjust air temperatures, set an alarm if you forgot or maybe are not sure if you did set it. Turn on a light or two so it looks like someone is home. There is also a tech gadget you can install to alert if there is any flooding or leaks.
Depending on how tech savvy you are or want to be, you can really bling out your Long Beach Island and Beach Haven West vacation home for “smarter” ways of keeping in the know and secure. As our world is ever evolving in technology, our homes will too. It is smart to invest in a technology featured home. Just as computers took over our world, so will the tech filled home.
Have fun shopping and exploring all the new technology!
Lisa G Lopez is a local Realtor, real estate broker for the Long Beach Island and Beach Haven West areas of NJ. Lisa is also a lifetime resident of the Jersey Shore and enjoys all that her community has to offer year-round. If you are looking to
Lisa G Lopez
Lisa G Lopez, Broker/Owner of Home Alliance Realty in Manahawkin NJ, is a 25 year veteran of the real estate industry. Born and raised in the LBI Region, Lisa has witnessed the tremendous change and growth that’s transformed the area into one of the Jersey Shore’s most sought-after destinations. Lisa understands the numerous intangible benefits of living on the Jersey Shore with its unmatched natural beauty and quality of life. Lisa has an MBA with a concentration in marketing from Stockton University and also holds a Broker's and real estate instructor's license. A self-proclaimed “Technophile”, Lisa embraces the newest and brightest in technologies and keeps pace with the latest real estate trends. Lisa’s passion for real estate is evident by the numerous awards and certifications she’s received over the past 25 years. In 2018, she received the prestigious Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB) designation, the premier brokerage management credential in the industry. Since 2002 Lisa has achieved The Circle of Excellence Sales Award and in 2016-2018 was awarded The Circle of Excellence Sales Award Platinum level for sales in excess of $20 Million. Lisa’s exceptional knowledge of real estate coupled with her intimate knowledge of the market is what makes her the unequivocal go-to resource for all your real estate needs.