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Smart home technology continues to grow in popularity among luxury buyers, and millennials in particular. Its a feature that can help your property to stand out from the rest, yet many homeowners are still on the fence about installing an automation system in their home.

Truth be told, there are plenty of benefits of having smart home technology. Here are just a few of the ways it can improve your life!

Energy Efficiency
Smart thermostats are proven to reduce the energy required to heat and cool your home. This means that in addition to lowering your impact on the environment, youre also saving on utility bills each month. Some systems can even monitor water usage to ensure there isnt a leak thats going to run up your bill.

Security
Once youre able to control and monitor your home security through your smartphone, theres no going back to the old days. You can see whos ringing the doorbell via live video stream when youre at work or unlock the backdoor for the dog walker when you go away for the weekend.

Convenience
The convenience that smart home technology affords is virtually endless, whether that means preheating the oven on your way home from the grocery store or turning on the coffee maker before youre out of bed. Youll soon start to wonder how you ever got anything done before.

Entertaining
When friends come over, you can use voice commands to turn on some tunes, get the mood lighting just right, and fire up the grill, all while mixing cocktails. Dinner parties just got that much easier.

Peace of Mind
Perhaps smart home technologys greatest quality is the peace of mind that comes with having control over your house. You can check on the baby with a camera-equipped monitor or make sure you closed the garage door while youre on vacation and rest assured that everything is okay.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Here are a few of the latest smart home technologies that can keep your home clean.

Smart Faucets

A touch-free faucet that turns on and off with motion sensors or voice commands can help to reduce the spread of germs in your home.

Air Purifier

An air purifier with HEPA filtration can, in theory, remove any virus particles from the air in your home.

Steam Cleaners

Steam cleaners are touted for being able to eliminate 99.9 percent of virus particles.

Smart Security

Smart security allows you to unlock your door without touching the deadbolt or thank delivery drivers via a speaker system.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

When you’re getting into the real estate game as a new developer, it’s important to keep your potential buyers in mind at all times. You want to make certain that they have everything they need. By paying attention to these details, you can expect your property to go fast:

Accessible Amenities
It’s important to research potential properties to make sure they’ll have accessible amenities for your potential buyers. You’ll want to make certain that therell be access to electricity and water. It’s also important for your property to offer easy access to phone service, as well as high-speed internet. Be sure your potential buyers will have all of the utilities they require so that your property will be as attractive as possible, which will assist you in selling your property once its ready.

Location
The property that you develop should be in a good location. Research the school district in the area, find out if there’s a hospital nearby, and check for grocery stores and entertainment choices. By choosing land that’s located near places that people will frequently travel to, you can be sure that you’re making a smart investment.

Price
The price of the property that you’re going to be purchasing is, needless to say, a major factor. You want to look around at what other properties in the area have sold for. It’s crucial that you get your property at a low price so that you can get the most for your money. If you pick out a good location for your real estate development, your costs will be more than if you just choose a remote piece of land. Of course, a good spot that has a lot to offer will sell quickly and be worth more in the long run.

Always do your due diligence when searching for the perfect spot for your real estate development. Keep in mind that it’s important to have access to as many amenities as possible to keep your potential buyers happy. The right location can also play a big role in the marketability of your property”price is also crucial. By paying attention to all of the details, you can find the right property that’ll be easy to sell. Also, when it comes time to sell, make sure to work with a real estate agent to help ensure you get top dollar.

Source: Dixie Somers/RISMedia’s Housecall

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Homeowners and buyers alike are increasingly embracing the natural beauty of hardwood floors. Unfortunately, even with proper upkeep, wood floors can get unsightly dents and scratches over time due to normal wear and tear.

If you have hardwood floors in need of repair, the experts at HomeAdvisor offer the following tips, two of which might surprise you:

Walnuts. Take a quick peek into your kitchen cupboard. If you have walnuts, then you have a solution for light wood scratches. Simply crack open the shell and remove the meat of the nut. Then, rub the inside of the walnut over any blemishes in the floor and blend the oils from the nut into the wood using your finger. It should disguise the scratch!

Wood Filler. If youd like to try a DIY repair on a larger blemish or crack, look to wood filler. It comes in many varieties, but its basically a putty-like substance used to fill gouges in wood. There are several different colors available that can be matched to your existing flooring. Or, you can choose a filler that accepts wood stain. Note that filler doesnt have the color variation of natural wood, so the more problem areas you have, the more noticeable this fix will be.

Mayonnaise. Heres another light-scratch solution that may be hiding in your kitchen. Believe it or not, many DIYers swear by mayonnaise. To try this hack, first clean the affected area. Then, apply mayonnaise directly to the wood and let it sit for a few minutes. After a while, wipe it away with a towel. The oil from the mayonnaise should fill in the scratches to match the color of the wood.

Wood Stain Marker. For slightly deeper scratches, a wood stain marker may do the trick. These markers come in several different shades and can darken problem spots so they blend right in with the floor. Just clean the area around the damaged floor, touch up with the marker and wipe away the excess. Dont forget to spot test your marker color first to be sure its a good match. If your home has several trouble areas, consider talking to a pro about getting the floor refinished.

Professional Help. For deep scratches or significantly gouged flooring, youll probably want to hire a professional. Depending on how bad the damage is, the pro can sand and refinish or repair your hardwood floors. Some projects may require replacing a few boards. But a quick call can have your floors gleaming again in no time.

Published with permission from RISMedia.