The list of smart home devices is growing by the day.

From thermostats to refrigerators to light bulbs, there is an endless number of systems and gadgets that make a home more efficient.

If your home is equipped with smart devices and you’re preparing to sell it, there are a few things you should do prior to moving.

These tips will ensure that a potential buyer not only sees the value, but also will keep them secure.

Smart Home Device Tips for Home Sellers

List all of the smart devices, even the ones that may seem obvious.

To ensure your home is positioning in the best possible light, make sure you list each and every smart gadget that lives in your home. This includes security systems and lightbulbs. The buyer may not know how to effectively use these systems so make sure you leave the owner’s manual behind.

Reset all of the smart devices in your home.

On most smart home devices there is personal information you don’t want to leave behind. To ensure your privacy is protected when you move out of your home, you’ll want to remove or change all of the login credentials and account settings. You can typically do this by simply restoring the factory settings. This not only protects your information, but allows the buyer to quickly create their own accounts, access codes and preferences.

On the flip side, if you are looking to buy a home that is equipped with smart home devices, take some time to do the following:

Smart Home Device Tips for Home Buyers

Reset systems and devices prior to using them.

Again, this can easily be done by restoring the default or factory settings. Make sure you understand the various privacy settings and select them accordingly. As tempting as it may be, do not just keep clicking the ‘Next’ button to quickly setup the device.

Review warranty information for smart devices.

Most smart home system policies will allow the purchaser to transfer the warranty to another owner, but double check to make sure this is the case with all devices. Also, double check to see if there are any software updates for the devices. This ensures that they will stay secure and protected.

Create a custom password.

Using the default password is not smart, as it’s an open invitation for hackers to get into smart devices. Take a few minutes to create a secure password. Here are some general guidelines for creating a solid password.

  • Includes at least ten characters with at least one number, one symbol and a mix of lowercase and uppercase letters.
  • Don’t use common words like your name, city or home address.
  • Don’t use the same passwords for all of your accounts.
  • Do not send passwords via text or email.

We hope these best practices are helpful if you’re preparing to buy or sell a smart home. We’re here to help, so please contact us if you have any questions or escrow needs.