What Technological Enhancements Should a Buyer Look for When Buying or Building a Home?
Technological enhancements can increase your home’s value. It is critical to understand the benefits of installed technology before buying or building a home so that you can maximize your return on investment. Technology enhancements generally fall into five categories:
- Home Entertainment
- Communications
- PS Networking and Internet Sharing
- Home Security
- Home Comfort, Convenience and Energy Management
Here are some of the things you should look for:
Home Entertainment
- Are there enough Cable TV Jacks in every room?
- Have in-wall speakers been installed in appropriate rooms?
- Is the home pre-wired for home theatre or multi-room audio or video?
Communications
- Are there enough telephone extensions or jacks both inside and outside the home?
PC Networking and Internet Sharing
- Does the home have an Ethernet Local Area Network for linking computers?
- Does the home have wiring for DSL or other high-speed Internet connection?
Home Security
- Does the home have a security system for detecting the presence of an intruder?
- Does the home have a closed circuit TV system for surveillance of intruders?
Home Comfort, Convenience and Energy Management
- Does the home have a multi-purpose lighting control system, home automation system and window covering controls?
- Does the home have multi-zone heating and cooling controls with programmable thermostats?
While the above referenced enhancements do not come with every home, and while they are more common with expensive homes, they provide an important checklist for all homebuyers. One final question to consider: Is the home wired with multi- purpose in-wall wiring and cable that allows for reconfigurations to update services as technology changes?