If you are planning to custom-build a home, you will already know that there are so many technical elements of design and construction to include in this process. All homes, no matter the size or location, have the basics: lighting, heating and doors that lock; in today’s world, however, a custom built home needs to have more than your average number of technological elements to it.
In today’s real estate market, smart homes are considered some of the highest value homes in the business. Homes that allow tenants and owners to make sustainable, easy and well-thought-out choices about how their home runs are able to be priced highly and sold quickly.
In today’s post, you will learn 10 technical additions you could add to your custom-built property, to increase its resale value and to equip it to run efficiently in today’s society!
1) Underfloor heating.
Underfloor heating is quickly becoming a staple of modern homes. Rather than pocketing your heat sources into radiators that take up wall space and make the room difficult to organize, you can spread the heat out underneath your wood or tiled floor. The heat will rise, warming the home, and will allow you to pad about barefoot even in the dead of winter.
Adding underfloor heating in your custom-built home can mean investing more money in the beginning, but it can save you up to 15% on your heating bills going forward! This space and energy-efficient choice will give you a greater quality of life overall, making it the obvious first choice for many homeowners.
2) Solar panels.
Solar panels are often underestimated as an addition to a brand new home. Even if you live in an area such as Northern America, the UK or Europe, where there isn’t baking sunlight all year round, solar panels are still a worthy investment.
Aside from the obvious fact that they bring down your electricity bills significantly, solar panels are also highly attractive to a lot of modern homeowners. If you advertise a home with pre-built solar panels that come as part of the deal, you are likely to encourage more prospective buyers to view the property. Everyone wants to make sustainable choices, and buying a home with solar panels is one of the easiest ways to achieve that.
3) Auto-locking doors.
We live in a world where, unfortunately, conflict over resources and wealth inequality seems to be getting worse. If you own your home, you need to protect it well – particularly if you live in a hotspot for home invasions.
Auto-locking doors that are lockable at the touch of your smartphone can be installed in any custom built property. These are highly reliable technological security additions that not only increase your home’s value, but can also make you or any future owner of the home feel safe and secure.
4) CCTV in the outdoor areas.
While we’re on the topic of security, for larger homes or homes with expansive grounds, it is important to have CCTV installed in outdoor areas and porches. You never know when you may need to check the CCTV if you have a home invasion – but CCTV has many purposes beyond that.
Firstly, you could use it to check who is at your door if you have an unexpected visitor, particularly at night. You can also use it to detect the movements of wildlife on your land! CCTV is always a worthwhile addition, especially in a rural or expansive home.
5) Air conditioning.
Even in countries in which temperatures don’t soar into the hundreds, air conditioning units throughout your custom built home are always a worthy investment. Our Earth is becoming warmer, and we need to prepare for summers to become more intense as the years go by. By equipping this brand new home with air conditioning, you are setting it up for the future of our planet, and thereby creating more viable options for individuals or families who live on the property.
Air conditioning units are also now available in subtle, beautiful colors and designs, so you can avoid unsightly HVAC units in your custom built home.
6) Surround-sound speakers.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us regretted not having better sound systems in our homes. Whether you were watching the latest movie release on Netflix or trying to recreate the party vibe alone with dance music, a surround sound speaker system would have been pretty damn useful.
By installing surround-sound speakers in living room areas in your custom home, you are benefitting just about any future tenant in that home. No matter if they’re a seasoned gamer, a musician or a film lover – or just a regular person who watches TV and listens to music everyday – surround-sound speakers never miss.
7) High-tech alarm system.
For further security measures, a high-tech alarm system is absolutely crucial. Having a password-protected alarm in your home means that you can go off on travels or adventures, knowing that your home is going to be protected from harm. You can even install alarms that are linked directly to the authorities, so you know the right people will be informed in the event of a break-in.
Most modern alarms use motion-sensors to detect movement, or measure infra-red. Either way, these alarms are fit for purpose: they keep your home safe and deter potential threats.
8) A digital thermostat.
Although it doesn’t seem particularly high-tech these days, a digital thermostat is a must-have in a custom built property. These days, we are all pretty precise about the kind of heat we enjoy in our homes; without the level of precision that digital thermostats provide, you could have quite a few family feuds on the horizon!
9) Smartphone-controlled lighting.
Lighting is, of course, a vital part of making your custom home complete. Smartphone-controlled lighting allows you to switch off lights even when you’re out of the house, meaning that forgotten lights left on while you’re at work can be flicked off at the touch of a button!
Furthermore, smartphone-controlled lighting allows you to set the mood or change the lights without even getting up from the couch. As well as being attractive to potential buyers, this luxury will be something you get used to pretty quickly! You won’t want to live without this easy to use lighting function once you have it.
10) Electric blinds.
Last but not least, let’s talk about electric blinds. Electric blinds are a chic, classic yet contemporary addition to any home, and can be controlled at the touch of your smartphone or by using a remote control.
Not only will electric blinds protect your privacy while you are at home, but they are super convenient for day to day use. You can adjust your blinds without getting up, and know you won’t have the hassle of getting the chord tangled when you do!
Final thoughts…
If you are currently in the process of designing a custom home, or perhaps you’re in the research stage of this project, it can all be very overwhelming. There’s so much to decide on, so let tech help you!
By choosing technologically progressive fixtures in your custom home, you are preparing your home for the changing world. In addition, you are allowing yourself and any future owners of this brand new home to have the most luxurious home possible; to make sustainable choices; and to ultimately stay safe from harm.
If you are considering building a custom home in your area, ensure you consult a town planning expert who can take you through the details and help you apply for planning permission!
