5 Cost-Effective Ways to Make Your Home Smart

Home automation is an obvious choice in a world of smartphones and widespread internet connectivity. However, for new homebuyers in New Orleans, the additional costs of building a smart home may be outside their budget. These upgrades usually range between $2,000 and $6,000 — however, it's possible to make your home smart for much less, and the great thing about these add-ons, most homeowners instantly see a fast return on investment. If you've recently moved to the Big Easy and are interested in creating the smart home of your dreams, consider these five cost-effective features. 1. Video Doorbell Online shopping and food delivery have become the norm in recent years. Whether you're expecting clothes, groceries or pizza, your doorbell is bound to ring at least a few times weekly. Whatever you're waiting for, a video doorbell is an excellent way to ensure your deliveries arrive safely. A video doorbell is an innovative feature that shows you who's standing on the other side of the door. Depending on the product, video doorbells can connect with existing doorbell wiring or enable you to start from scratch. Video doorbell cameras connect to devices over Wi-Fi and turn on when someone approaches the door or pushes the button. If you're home, you'll hear it — otherwise, the doorbell will send a signal to your smartphone, tablet or computer from any location. New smart video doorbells may also come with motion detection, recording and video storage and the ability to communicate with whoever's at the door through a speaker. You can purchase most video doorbells for under $150, while advanced models typically run about $200 2. Smart Security System A smart security system pairs with other innovative home features, including alarms, door locks, garage doors, thermostats, lights and plugs. You can also connect your system to your smartphone for remote control access, meaning you'll never have to worry about your home and belongings again while on vacation.   Popular alarm companies like ADT offer smart alarm compatibility for a higher cost. Meanwhile, alarm brands like Vivint Home Security — a smart home company — charge $600 for the system and between $49 and $199 for installation. Customers typically spend $30 to $50 per month for Vivint monitoring. 3. Smart Locks Smart locks with keyless entry have numerous advantages for protecting your home. Consider installing a smart lock on the front and back doors to ensure your home is always tightly secure. With a smart lock, you can enter a passcode or unlock the door using your smartphone. Suppose a trusted friend or relative wants to drop something off at your house while you're at work. A quick press of a button in your smart home app will unlock the front door for them to enter. It’s also practical if your child comes home from school and forgets the code or you forget to lock up before you leave. Advanced technology for your garage can also allow you to monitor activity, and even program times to open and close the door based on when you leave and return from work. You can purchase smart locks for around $50 — although some could cost upward of $2,200 depending on their features and functionality. 4. Smart Thermostat New Orleans is known for Mardis Gras, delicious Creole cuisine, and hot, steamy summers. Fortunately, a smart thermostat will ensure your home's temperature is comfortable year-round without costing you more to run the air conditioner. Smart thermostats may cost between $200 to $500, depending on your current setup, your chosen brand and installation. However, savings are worth the investment. An ENERGY STAR smart thermostat can reduce your energy consumption by 8% and save you nearly $50 annually on heating and cooling, which adds up over the years. In addition to remote indoor temperature management with your smartphone, smart thermostats allow you to program your HVAC for when you're home or based on each room's occupancy. Many also come with built-in learning functions to learn your preferences over time. 5. Smart Bulbs Smart bulbs are lights you can control remotely over Wi-Fi. Upgrading to automated light bulbs is one of the most cost-effective ways to make your home smart without going over budget. You can fill your entire home with new lighting at a reasonable price, from lamps to wall outlets to outdoor spotlights. It could also improve your home's safety while you're away. For example, if you go away for a long weekend or stay out past dark, you can turn on the lights from your smart home app to make it look like someone's home. Some even come with color-changing functions. Most brands charge only $15 per bulb, while a smart light switch could cost about $30 — an excellent way to save money for home automation. Make Your Home Smart on a Budget You can enjoy the convenience and savings of home automation without spending thousands of dollars on innovative home features. For homebuyers and homeowners in New Orleans, cost-effective smart technology can enhance their home's comfort and safety. *Written by Rose Morrisdo of renovated.com

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Buying A Fixer-Upper? Here’s Where To Start!

 7911 S. Claiborne Avenue, Listed By Kelleye Rhein  Buying a fixer-upper home is a high-reward investment. These 10 tasks should be the first items on your to-do list when renovating your fixer-upper house. 1. Safety Inspection First and foremost, you need to determine the extent of the house’s damage. Bring in a contractor to help you identify the structural and cosmetic issues that need repairs. Determine which problems you can fix yourself and which ones require professional assistance. Look for signs of storm damage, such as broken gutters and roof leaks. New Orleans sits in the heart of the United States’ high-risk hurricane zone and gets a handful of tropical storms yearly. However, most NOLA residents compensate by having special architectural shingles, weathertight window seals and other small precautionary features. Homes with these details will be more valuable and easier to renovate. 2. ARV Estimation After assessing the house’s condition, estimate its after-renovation value (ARV). Assuming the damage isn’t too significant, a fixer-upper home’s ARV is usually in the same ballpark as comparable homes in the area. Look at other New Orleans houses with the same number of bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage and other features that impact its resale value. Comparable homes must meet a few essential criteria. They must be in the same geographic area, which can vary widely in New Orleans. Waterfront properties are valued much differently than properties farther inland. Comparable homes also have to be recent sales. You will get a more accurate ARV estimate if they sold in the last 12 months. 3. Financing Renovating a fixer-upper is expensive work, whether you take the DIY or professional approach. Get your financing in order with a home improvement loan so you can afford all the projects. These loans have fixed APR rates and long timelines of up to five years, so you’ll have plenty of time to complete the renovations. 4. Curb Appeal The first remodeling project you should tackle is the exterior facade and landscaping. You need to revive the house’s curb appeal. The home’s outward appearance plays a huge role in increasing its resale value. According to surveys, 83% of buyers’ real estate agents say staging the home helps the buyers visualize living there. Start by freshening up the main entrance. Power wash the siding and repaint the front door. Spruce it up with a new door knob, floor mat, mailbox and address numbers. These little details add up to significant visual improvements. Then, move to the yard. Mow the lawn and replant it with warm-season grass seed that will thrive in New Orleans’ humid climate. Pull the weeds from the garden, cover it with landscaping fabric and apply a fresh layer of mulch. Trim the bushes and add flowers to give the area new life and color.   7911 S. Claiborne Avenue, Listed By Kelleye Rhein  5. HVAC Upgrades Moving inside, the first item you should fix is the home’s HVAC system. Functional year-round air conditioning is crucial throughout the southern United States. Upgrade the HVAC units and fit them with quality air filters. You should also consider installing ceiling fans to lighten the HVAC system’s load and make the home more comfortable. 6. New Flooring Replacing the floors before moving your furniture and personal belongings in will make your life much easier. Vinyl flooring and porcelain tiles are the best options for tropical climates because of their strong water resistance. You can also make vinyl flooring look like natural hardwood, so it’s incredibly versatile for design purposes. 7. Kitchen Remodel A kitchen remodel is an expensive but necessary project. It’s the most important room aside from the main bedroom, so a successful renovation will work wonders for the house’s resale value. Replace the oven and microwave. Refurbish the cabinets and install new marble or granite countertops. Add a water filtration system to the sink to get pure tap water. 8. Fresh Interior Paint Switching to a fresh interior paint color is an effective, low-cost way to rejuvenate the house’s appearance. Give the walls, doors and cabinets a clean slate. Homes in metropolitan New Orleans often have bold color schemes that reflect the city’s culture and character, so don’t be afraid to get creative. 9. Window Replacements Old windows often have drafts and leaks, leading to high utility costs. Replace any problematic windows with vinyl, fiberglass or composite windows. These materials are built to withstand extreme weather conditions — including hurricane-level wind and rain — and keep the house comfortable. 10. New Light Fixtures The home’s light fixtures need to be bright and stylish. New Orleans is an old city with diverse architecture, so feel free to get creative. Incorporate hanging pendants, standing lamps, recessed lights and mid-century modern styles that contribute to the house’s design and functionality. 7911 S. Claiborne Avenue, Listed By Kelleye Rhein  You Have to Start Somewhere Fixer-upper homes have a long list of repairs and renovations. Start with these 10 steps to build momentum for the rest of the renovation, and your fixer-upper will be ready to resale in no time.

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How To Refresh Your Home This Winter Season

14 Marilyn Avenue, Listed By Ninh Tran  Oftentimes, winter decor is viewed synonymous with the holidays, however, such a special season deserves its own attention. Although winter is a festive season, it’s also a time to wine down, plan for the months ahead, and get cozy. Since you’re more likely to stay in during the winter, you should curate your home to be as inviting as possible, which gives you the perfect opportunity to give your home a refresh. Here are 5 winter decor tips for sprucing up your home this winter season.  Redesign Your Living Space Focal Point  Every home has a main room that is the heart of your entire place. Redesign your home’s focal point by adding elements that tell a visual story such as a striking work of art or a dramatic piece of furniture. Remember to add aspects that speak to the ambiance of your home. Add Earthy Tones To Your Home Earth tones or elements help any space to feel warm and inviting which is ideal for the cold weather months. Adding color palettes of brown, blue, or green to your home help your spaces to feel cozy, calm, and comfortable. Earthy color palettes and materials are perfect for creating a neutral home that's not devoid of vibrancy.  5611 Annunciation Street, Joey Walker Update Your Home Office  If you work from home, creating an office space within your place is essential to your success. Investing in your home workspace can tremendously impact your productivity. Improve your home office by adding elements that encourage you to stay focused and inspire you to aim for the stars. Add Comforting Scents  Scents are an underrated interior design element that have a significant impact on your home. Amplify your home this winter by choosing scents that add tranquility and balance to your space, such as lavender, sandalwood, or vanilla.  Bring The Outdoors Into Your Home  Studies have shown that adding outdoor elements like wickers, plants, and timber to your interior decor help to boost your mood. With winter being a drearier season, it’s important to curate spaces that help keep your emotions elevated. Adding aspects you would find in your garden indoors allow you to enjoy the feel of the outdoors without stepping outside of your home. 1004 Eleonore Street, Listed By Joey Walker Happy Decorating Everyone!  For more decor tips, stay tuned to reverealtors.com 

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