6 Smart Home Innovations You Should Invest In

With the recent rise in home automation technology, like digital voice assistants, smart locks, more and more people are using smart home devices in their homes. Smart devices are powered by the Internet of Things (IoT). Currently, there are greater than 10 billion active IoT devices and that number is expected to cross 25.4 billion in 2030. In this scenario, let's look at six smart home innovations you should invest in.

1) Voice assistants 

Voice assistants have become a must-have for the technologically savvy across the globe. Voice assistants like Siri, Google Home, and Alexa use the device's microphone to capture an individual's voice and then convert it using software into commands that the device can process. Examples are asking a voice assistant to tell you the weather forecast for the day, play music, or ask trivia questions. Keep in mind that voice assistants can act as Smart Home hubs and are one of the critical components of a Smart Home System.

2) Smart Lights

With the rise in popularity of Smart Homes, many well-known lighting manufacturers are incorporating smart tech into their lighting products. You can purchase smart light bulbs, lamps, garden lights, LED strips, and more. All of these devices can be controlled remotely using Bluetooth or WiFi connectivity. Basic smart lights are available in single colors and permit simple controls like brightness and on/off operations. Premium smart lights allow more granular control ranging from on/off functions to color and sequencing. If you like playing online games like live blackjack at Casumo, you can adjust the lighting in your room to suit the game you're playing to get an immersive atmosphere that adds to the gaming experience.

3) Security devices

Recent years have seen many smart security devices meant to improve your home's safety. Smart CCTV systems let consumers look at cameras remotely, store recordings in the cloud, and get alerts for any movements. Users can monitor their homes using smart CCTV cameras while controlling them with the help of a smartphone app. Furthermore, Smart locks can let users unlock their doors remotely and check if they locked their home while stepping out. The Nest Protect is an intelligent smoke alarm that tests itself automatically 400 times daily so that you can be sure it'll work whenever you need it to. It helps detect smoke and carbon monoxide in your home and sends you phone alerts to help you know if there's danger in your home when you're away.

4) Smart sockets

While the standard wall socket has been in existence for decades, in recent years, sockets come with USB charging ports to help you with remote switching. Smart sockets connect to your home's network and let you turn them on and off remotely. Some sockets even come with an emergency monitoring feature. This feature helps get a report to see how much time the switch was on and its energy consumption.

5) Smart thermostats

Controlling your home's temperature with a tap on your mobile device, or a voice command can be really convenient. New model Smart thermostats are intended to be compatible with IoT. You can connect them to your home WiFi and other devices, such as Google Home, Alexa, and Apple mobile devices. You can control your home's temperature whenever you want, even if you are outside your home.

6) Smart beds

Smart beds are an innovation that is starting to be used in medical facilities and even homes. A smart bed uses intelligent sensors that gather data while you sleep. The next step is to deliver notifications to your mobile device so that you can assess whether you are getting a good night's rest. A few smart beds come with a built-in TV and alarm systems that help you enjoy lying in bed or get better sleep at night.

10 Tips on Caring for Your HVAC System: Getting the Most Out of Your Unit

The right HVAC system is one of the most important investments you can make for your home. A good unit will save you money on heating and cooling costs, while a bad one will leave your family feeling uncomfortable all summer long. In this blog post, we are going to give you 10 tips to care for your HVAC system and get the most out of it!

1. Regularly clean the coils:

The coils for both air conditioners and furnaces are what bring in fresh, cool or hot air to your home. As dust accumulates on those coils, it blocks the airflow which leads to a drop-off in efficiency. Every three months you should use compressed air at full power from an HVAC professional's compressor to blow all of  the dust off of the coils.

Many have realized the benefits of UV sanitation for HVAC systems and use cutting-edge technology to eliminate bacteria, mold, and allergens from their air units. This extra layer of protection helps improve indoor air quality while keeping HVAC systems running efficiently for longer.

2. Change your air filter regularly :

A dirty air filter restricts airflow and can cause your unit to work overtime. Be sure to change the filter at least once a month, but ideally every three months for maximum efficiency.

3. Check and change your refrigerant every year:

The refrigerant in your unit is the coolant that helps it function. If you don't change this every year, then your system will work less efficiently and could potentially break down.

4. Keep the unit in good working order by having it serviced annually by a professional HVAC company :

Regular maintenance by a professional will ensure your system is functioning properly and that it's running efficiently.

5. Clean or replace dirty evaporator fins on an air conditioner

Use a vacuum cleaner and brush attachment, then blow them off with compressed air if they are still dirty after cleaning them (do not use water)

If your air conditioner is dirty, then it will not be able to cool as efficiently. Cleaning the evaporator fins can help you get more out of your unit.

6. Avoid installing gas furnaces near large trees, wood piles, or other sources of moisture:

This can lead to problems down the road like corrosion and rusting that will cost you more money to fix later on

7. Inspect all electrical connections (especially those that are not near ground level) for signs of corrosion :

Corrosion is a sign that the unit's metal parts are rusting and not functioning properly. Corrosive connections will cause your system to work less efficiently, which can lead to costly repairs in the future.

8. Keep an eye out for any signs of water leakage

Be sure to turn off the power at your home's circuit breaker if you notice a leak.

9. Keep your vents clean by sweeping them regularly

If necessary, have a professional perform a full-service duct cleaning to remove any dust buildup. In such cases, searching on the internet for "air duct cleaning near me" can help you find local professionals who specialize in this essential service.

10. Call an expert if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Your unit isn't working at all

• There is a strange noise coming from your system when it's running

• It feels warmer or cooler in one room than another, even though they're supposed to be regulated to the same temperature. This might indicate that there is a problem with your ductwork, which can be expensive to fix.

• Your unit is working hard even when the temperature isn't very high outside

• The air coming out of vents feels warm or cold and is not consistent throughout the house

• You notice a strange odor that you weren't able to identify before (a burning smell could indicate electrical

Do not ignore problems with your HVAC system - complacency leads to higher repair costs down the road.

Summary:

With these 10 tips, you should be able to keep your HVAC system running smoothly and efficiently for the long haul. If you have any other questions about caring for your unit or need a professional opinion on how best to maintain it, we're here to help! Feel free to contact us with any of those concerns or if you want some more advice on keeping things running effectively in general. We'll do our very best to get back with you as soon as possible.

How to Succeed in Real Estate Investing

Everyone has a dream of achieving success. Some people want to start their own business, while others would rather work for someone else's company. The same goes for real estate investing; some investors are focused on the financial rewards, while others just enjoy flipping houses and watching them grow in value over time. Regardless of your motivation, if you're considering getting into this market sector we will give you a basic guide that will help you succeed!

What is real estate investing

Real estate investing is all about owning properties and making money on them over time. This can be achieved by buying a property, fixing it up, putting in tenants or selling the house to another investor.

The first step is figuring out what you're looking for when investing your time into this market sector. Do you want to start from scratch with an investment of your

A lot of people think that real estate investing is just flipping houses and making a profit. However, there are many ways to make money in this industry! Investors can buy fixer-upper properties with the intention of fixing them up for resale or they could purchase multifamily dwellings (such as an apartment building) with the goal of collecting the rent checks.

No matter what you decide, it's important to have a plan and know how much money is needed in order to get started.

Why should you invest in real estate

Real estate is a great investment because there are always properties that need to be fixed up. You can buy and fix one house at a time or you could purchase an entire apartment building and make side income from your tenant's monthly rent checks. Fixer-upper houses are generally less expensive than buying a property that's already been renovated, so your initial investment will not be too large. Plus, real estate in general is on the rise and prices for such homes are expected to grow over time as more people invest into this market sector as well!

How do you start investing in real estate

There are many ways to get started with real estate investing. One way is by contacting an agent who specializes in the field. They can provide you with information about the market, help you find your perfect property and even recommend a mortgage broker to make sure that all of the financial requirements are met. You can also look into getting a real estate masters degree to learn more about real estate investments, which you can then also expand into hotel development and asset management. 

Alternatively, if you're not interested in borrowing money from a lender then partnering up with an investor is also an option! You could be their silent partner and work together to buy a property, or you could offer your own money and ask for 50% of the profit. This is ideal if you're not looking to take on too much risk but would still like to get involved in the market sector!

Tips on How to Succeed:

• The first step is figuring out what you're looking for when investing your time into this market sector.

• Do you want to start from scratch with an investment of your own or do you just enjoy flipping houses and watching them grow in value over time? Regardless of your motivation, there are many ways for investors to make money.

• To succeed as a real estate investor it's important to keep track of all the details: know what type of property you're looking to buy, determine the number you're going to invest in and know how much money is needed.

• Figure out which type of property will provide investors with a return on their investment: single-family homes or duplexes?

• Another consideration for successful investing comes down to location; if you purchase an apartment building in a city with a lot of economic activity, then you're more likely to succeed.

• It's also important to have the right financial tools set up before investing in real estate: contact an agent who specializes in this field for help or consider partnering with another investor if you don't want too much risk.

• Overall, success as a real estate investor comes down to having a plan in place and being willing to work hard.

Wrap up:

It really is a great thing to invest in real estate, and I hope that you're able to take some of this information and use it in your own life. If not, no worries! We have plenty more articles on our blog where we can provide you with even more insights into the world of real estate investing--so be sure to check those out as well. Good luck!

7 Ways to Get Ahead of Rising Home Prices

You may be thinking that the housing market is taking a step back from the crazy prices of 2007, but unfortunately for many Americans, it's not. ​​Home prices are rising quickly and in some areas they're up over 40%! If you want to get ahead and protect your investments, there are 7 things you can do now to help keep your home affordable.

Home values are rising and unless you take steps to protect your investment, it will likely be rising at a faster rate than is sustainable. This blog post is going to outline 7 things you can do now to help ensure that your home remains affordable.

1) The first step in protecting your home is to have an expert look at the market for the county that you live in. They will be able to tell you if we're experiencing a bubble or if it's just normal appreciation.

2) If the market seems as though it is overheating, then it may be time to move outside of your area. The homes are likely cheaper in another city and they have more inventory which might make the selling process easier.

3) If you don't want to move, then consider a short sale. This could be a great option for many homeowners who are underwater on their mortgages and can no longer afford the monthly payments.

4) If you're not underwater on your mortgage, then consider a rent-to-own agreement. This way, when the home is sold years from now and for more than it's currently worth, you will have already helped with payments so there won't be such a large difference in what you owe on the property versus what it goes for at that point.

5) If you do not want to rent or sell your home, then consider refinancing. You can refinance and get a mortgage with a lower interest rate that will help keep the cost of monthly payments lower for you.

6) Another way to help keep the cost of your monthly payments lower is by getting a loan modification. This can be done through not only banks, but also government sponsored programs such as FHA and VA loans.

7) If you can't lower the interest rate or get a loan modification, then consider looking for another home. Mortgage rates are still low and there is plenty of inventory available on the market to choose from; this could be your opportunity to find something that suits all of your needs.

Concluding notes:

Home prices are skyrocketing and there isn't much anyone can do about it - but if we act now by taking these steps, we can protect our investments and keep them affordable.  When you’re thinking about buying a home, it can be hard to know what the next few years will bring. If you want to get ahead of rising prices and protect your investments, there are 7 things you can do now. These strategies range from simple tips like saving money in general or looking for homes that need some work done on them through more drastic measures such as renting out rooms or moving into an apartment with roommates until your house is paid off. The best part? You don't have to wait! Start today so that when rates rise again, you're ready for anything!

Safety Management: How To Make Sure Your Property Is Completely Safe

Taking measures that will help safeguard your property from external elements and threats is crucial for people who live in their own individual homes, but is also important for people who live in communities and in apartments. Even if you think you are living in an area that is safe and has a very low rate of crime, there is no guarantee of your security.

Moreover, when we talk about home security, it is not just the possibility of theft or vandalism, but also protecting the home from natural calamities. This doesn't always have to be in the form of a flood or a tornado, even very subtle things like erosion can have a massive impact if they are left untreated. Especially today, with the real estate market getting busier, homeowners are in a hurry to sell and buyers are in a hurry to move in. In this situation, people often overlook the small details that are often essential to making your home safe and secure.

If you live in a home with elderly parents or young children, you need to take precautionary measures to ensure it is a safe environment for them. Even things as small as resizing the steps leading into the house, adding a few hand supports here and there, or simply plugging sockets ha are not in use can go very far in improving the safety of your family.

Here are some great tips for improving home safety, regardless of how small or large your home may be.

1.  Groundwork and Infrastructure

If you have just moved into a new house, or you have been living in it for decades, it's a good idea to have the property evaluated. You could check these things on your own or have a specialist evaluation team come in. The purpose of the evaluation is to check how safe and sound the structure is from the ground up. This will cover everything from the actual condition of the building to the condition of various amenities such as pools, basements, and attics.

If there are any weak spots in the groundwork and infrastructure, this could be a serious safety hazard and should be something you treat right away. While problems are more common in older homes, this is also important for new construction, just to ensure that everything was done right, and it's a reliable structure.

2.  Community Care

When you take the steps to make your home safe, you are also benefiting the community and the people who live in the vicinity. Things such as a leaking underground water line can have a serious impact on the surrounding area as the water seeps through the ground and affects other buildings. Your neighbors might have a local Denver premises liability attorney take up the matter with you if poor management of your home is affecting their wellbeing. Things such as rubbish removal, tree removal, and other activities that happen outside of your home can have a serious impact on the property of your neighbors.

Even things as simple as parking your car in the wrong area can be a criminal offense in some states, and people might be very offended by it. It's important to keep the community in mind and make sure that your activities don't cause a negative impact on someone else.

3.  Surveillance

While it’s great to have a solid gate and an electric fence around the perimeter of your home, there are countless cases of burglaries where criminals have bypassed these systems. One of the best things you can do to improve the safety of your home is to install a good quality surveillance system to record everything that goes on. This helps protect against external threats, and it also helps keep an eye on loved ones at home. While you are out at work or anywhere else, you can conveniently monitor what's happening at home through your live surveillance feed. In the case that something does go wrong, you won't be left guessing about what happened, who did it, and how it came to be. You will have solid evidence of the culprits, and it will be much easier to decipher the problem down the line.

Improving the safety of your home and taking steps to ensure the wellbeing of the people you love doesn't have to be expensive. Today, safety services are a lot more affordable and when you take proactive steps to manage small problems, you save yourself from spending a lot more in the future when the small problem becomes a much bigger one. If you want to look out for your family and your community, take steps today to ensure a safer tomorrow.

How To Make Use Of Your Garage Space Without Creating A Mess

Garages are the perfect space for projects and large items, but they can easily become a cluttered mess. Follow these tips to make use of your garage without creating a mess: turn it into an office or workspace, use it as storage for things you don't want in the house, organize everything so that you know what's there with labels and bins, get rid of junk by giving away what you no longer need on sites like Craigslist or Freecycle. With just a little time and effort, your garage will be transformed from cluttered chaos to an organized refuge.

Why your garage is a great place to store a lot of items

Firstly, garages have a lot of storage and space that can be used in many different ways. They are usually the largest space in the home, making them perfect for storing things such as gardening supplies, tools, and old furniture. Secondly, garages are often neglected spaces so they may not require much work on your part to make them usable. Lastly, because your garage is likely to stay dry most of the time, it's a great place to store not only items that need protection from water but also those that need protection from mold or insects (such as firewood).

Change your garage into a studio for your favorite hobby

Do you do backyard gardening or crafts? Do you like to learn new skills and challenge yourself in the process? Then dedicate an area of your garage to it - it'll give you plenty of storage space, which will make tackling such projects easier. You may even end up enjoying these hobbies more because they take place in a fun, safe, and familiar environment.

To make use of the space, you can create a workbench that will provide useful and convenient storage for all your materials and tools. You could also move some of those unused cabinets from your kitchen to this area. They'll be perfect for storing smaller items that are needed more often when working on these projects.

Supply storage for things such as school/ office supplies, extra paper, magazines...

Garages are usually large enough to hold bags of supplies used at school/ work. It's very convenient to store them in the garage and simply grab them when you leave or need them. You can also keep extra bags from school/ work supplies on hand if those supplied by the school/ workplace are running low. This makes it easy to grab a few extras (especially during winter break!) without leaving the house, instead of having to go out and buy a new supply bag every time your current one runs out.

Setting up a work area for when you need to get stuff done outside of the house

Garages are also great if you like working on things outside the house but with no dedicated space at hand. For example, during the summer months most people like doing some yard work regardless of whether their yards have any actual gardens in them. In these cases, a garage is a perfect place to get your work done without having to worry about getting stuff dirty or breaking it. It's also a great way not to lose any supplies that you might need for other tasks!

Keeping in touch with friends and family

A garage can also be used as a roomier living or dining area by extending the house with an attached deck if needed, or just by opening up the back wall of the garage. This creates flexibility if you have guests which turn into impromptu dinner parties. The same goes for doing arts & crafts together - mix paints and glues inside while working on your latest project out on the deck or porch. If this becomes something you do often when it's warm outside, a garage can also be used to host your guests (not too often, of course - this is still the garage we're talking about!).

Connect with your creative side by setting up an office in your garage

Sometimes you may need to escape the hustle and bustle of home life - especially if you're trying to do something important or focused. If you want some peace and quiet without going very far away, then set up a mini office in your garage (and don't forget to decorate it!). Having an office available at home is very convenient if you really need to get things done - it'll save you the trip of going specifically to a coffee shop or library just because you felt like getting out of the house.

Garages are a great place to store a lot of items and supply storage. They're also good for setting up work areas outside the house or using them as an office space if you need them. Garage makeovers have been popular in recent years, so why not give your garage some love today?