American Home Shield noted that 42% of homeowners claim that the majority of their home devices are "smart," it's easy to see that smart home technologies are well-established in our lives.

The National Association of Realtors cites not only that homes with IoT devices can increase property value, but that a shocking number of consumers are willing to pay more for smart integrations.

Real estate agents and brokers have been working to help both home buyers and sellers make the most of evolving technologies, but many buyers overlook how existing tech can complicate the move-in experience, especially in a time when 57% have data privacy concerns.

"Properly installed smart home automation can differentiate a property and add tremendous value, notes Daryl Friedman, CEDIA Global President and CEO. "A professionally installed smart home is safe, seamless, and easy to use. However, poorly installed smart home gear can present risks for both the buyer and seller."

To help us better understand the state of affairs, he outlined a few problems that can arise when a new homeowner moves into an existing smart home:

1. Beware of Off-the-Shelf Devices

"An 'off-the-shelf' smart home device is defined as a device that was purchased, installed, and left as-is without being checked for security patches and software updates," notes Friedman.

He underscores that "Outdated devices are prone to security threats and vulnerabilities and are often targeted by attackers."

Due diligence pays off and prevents privacy risks. "Smart home professionals [can help make sure] that all electronic devices in the home—both existing networked devices, and ones that homeowners bring into their new homes—are up to date."

If you have any concerns about the status of auto-security updates or aren't sure how to update your devices, ask the manufacturer or a professional.

2. Change Default Passwords

"When a seller is preparing their home for a sale, they will often opt to simply factory reset their smart devices, setting the password to a default one," shares Friedman. "This ensures that the seller can no longer access the device—but many homeowners don’t realize that default passwords can often be found in product documentation and lists available on the internet, so it’s important to create unique, strong passwords for every smart device in your home."

If you bought a home, remember to change passwords for apps related to smart lighting and smart home security devices.

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3. Re-establish a Secure Network (and Guest Network)

Although not unique to smart home devices, it’s important to keep all internet-connected devices safe, and always attached to a secured, password-protected Wi-Fi network. "Smart home professionals often recommend 'network segmentation,' the practice of connecting smart devices to separate networks to create more barriers of protection," notes Friedman. "A smart home professional from a reputable company will ensure that your networks are both secured and segmented for maximum safety."

He adds, "As an additional tip to make the moving process smoother, we recommend that potential buyers ask the original homeowner to share information about their smart home installer and/or unlink their accounts from any interconnected devices before they move out. In many cases, manufacturers’ customer service teams are able to help without the new homeowner needing to uninstall or reinstall individual devices to gain access – and without sacrificing the prior owners’ personally identifiable information – to protect both users before transferring control of the device."

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4 Questions to Ask When You're Buying a Home

1. Inquire About Existing Products: Before making an offer, ask the current homeowners about any smart products installed. Think: smart locks, smart irrigation systems, smart security cameras, video doorbells, smart thermostats, even smart appliances. Clarify what they intend to leave behind or take with them (and make sure they leave the remote controls).
2. Documentation and Warranties: For any smart technology that will stay, ensure you obtain all related documentation, including manuals and warranties. This will help with future maintenance and troubleshooting.
3. Research Energy-Saving Features: Investigate the energy-saving capabilities of the existing systems. Look into potential upgrades to enhance efficiency and reduce utility costs.
4. Professional Installation and Security: Consider hiring professional smart home installers or integrators to verify that all systems are functioning correctly. They can also address any potential security or privacy issues, ensuring your home is safe and efficient.

FAQ About Smart Home Systems

Do smart homes lower monthly costs?

Some devices save money, like smart thermostats or lighting that cuts energy use. Others, like security subscriptions, can add ongoing costs.

Will all smart devices work together?

Many times yes (thanks to the evolution of IoT and Matter), but not always. If you're bringing smart products from your old home to a new one, remember that they might not vibe. Different brands may use different apps or systems. Check compatibility before adding new devices.

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I just moved into my new home and my smart home devices aren't working. Why?

This could be an easy one. Is the internet re-established in your new account? Most smart devices need an internet connection. Some still work in limited ways, like smart plugs, but many features, like smart alerts, pause until the network is restored. Wait to re-map your robot vacuum until the internet is restored. 🙂