Should you buy a property with a home automation system?

After spending months looking for your dream home, you realise it already using smart tech to control the basic functions. Should you buy a property with a home automation system installed or try to find one that’s a blank canvas?

 

If you feel hesitant, we completely understand. For some home buyers, it’s a dream situation, whereas others will have a slightly different opinion. A few will even swear it’s a dangerous situation. To them, there are too many unknowns.

 

Before you run for the hills or plonk down your chequebook, you should explore the topic. Here are the pros and cons of buying a property with a home automation system already installed.

 

 

An overview of buying a home with an existing automation system installed

Here are some things to consider when buying a home that already has a smart home system installed.

 

Pros:

1. You bypass the headache of installing a system
2. The property is easier to control
3. There are energy savings benefits
4. Increased home value.

 

Cons:

1. Home automation systems can be expensive to maintain
2. They can be complex to use and programme
3. You could experience compatibility issues.

 

Ultimately, you’ll need to decide if the benefits of a home automation system outweigh the potential drawbacks. Let’s explore the pros and cons in more depth, allowing you to make an informed decision.

 

 

 

 

Positives of buying a home with smart tech already installed

Bypass the headache of installing a system

Designing, installing, and programming a DIY home automation system isn’t for the faint-hearted. It can take hours to install a single device and even longer to find and sort any faults. Of course, if you have the budget, working with an installer can remove most of these issues.

 

By buying a property with a home automation system already installed, you bypass the difficult parts. You can simply walk into a home where the technology works.

 

The property is easier to control

As someone else has designed, installed, and programmed the system, you can walk in and use it straight away. You can control various aspects of your home, such as lighting, temperature, and security, from your smartphone or tablet.

 

There are energy savings benefits

In the age of ballooning energy bills, we all could do with a little help. A well-designed home automation system can help you save on energy bills by automatically adjusting the temperature, turning off lights when not in use, and more.

 

Increased home value

While this might seem a little weird as a positive, let us explain. It’s true having a smart home system installed will increase the property’s sale price. Not ideal when buying. However, these features will protect your home’s worth over the long term.

 

As long as you maintain the system, your home’s value increase. Plus, in a crowded market, you need unique features to make your property stand out. A smart home system is such a highly desirable feature!

 

 

What about the negatives?

Home automation systems can be expensive to maintain

While you might not have the upfront cost of installing the system, you will have to invest something in maintaining it. Some systems will be cheaper than others. 

 

For example, Fibaro requires regular updates that the user can apply and installing devices is easy to DIY. On the other hand, updating a Control4 system involves hiring a dealer, as does installing more of their devices.

 

They can be complex to use and programme

As you didn’t design the system, it might not work as you imagine. You might need to reprogramme it to function better with how you want to live, which can be a costly experiment.

 

Some home automation systems can be complicated to set up and use, which you might find frustrating.

 

You could experience compatibility issues.

Not all home automation systems are compatible with each other. So, it’s important to ensure that the system in the property you’re considering is compatible with the devices you already own or plan to purchase.

 

Otherwise, you might end up with a massive headache and devices that don’t play nicely with the others.

 

 

 

 

It is worth trying before you buy?

If you’re serious about buying the property, you might be able to spend some time there and test the system. You’ll probably need some instructions from the current homeowner, but having the time and space to play with the system will be invaluable.

 

Don’t be afraid to ask the estate agent. Remember, they get paid after the property sells. So you’ll find that they are willing to ask the vendor! The agent might be able to persuade them!

 

 

So, should you buy a property with a home automation system?

Ultimately, you’ll need to weigh the benefits of buying a property with an existing home automation system with the potential drawbacks. It’s a decision only you can make.

 

If the idea of designing, installing, and programming a home automation system drive makes you break out in a cold sweat, buying a property with one already installed could be ideal. You’ll also find that buying an existing smart home is more energy efficient and flexible.

 

However, if you’re not interested in these features or find the cost and complexity prohibitive, you’ll want to look for a property without a home automation system. Starting with a blank slate can be freeing!

 

Hopefully, this helps answer if you should buy a property with a home automation system already installed.