Smart Home – Joe Gonzalez at CrossCountry Mortgage, Inc.

Smart Home Upgrades That Save Energy and Money

Posted on July 13, 2023 by joeglez

In an era where environmental consciousness and cost savings are top priorities for homeowners, smart home technology has emerged as a game-changer. With the ability to automate and optimize various aspects of your home, smart home upgrades offer numerous benefits, including energy efficiency and reduced utility bills.

Smart Thermostats

One of the most effective ways to reduce energy consumption and save money is by installing a smart thermostat. Traditional thermostats often result in excessive heating or cooling, leading to wasted energy and higher utility bills. Smart thermostats, on the other hand, learn your preferences, monitor your daily routine, and adjust the temperature accordingly.

Energy Monitoring Systems

Understanding how much energy your household consumes is the first step towards reducing waste and saving money. Energy monitoring systems, such as smart plugs and smart meters, provide real-time data on your electricity usage for individual appliances or the entire home.

By identifying energy-hungry devices and monitoring their usage patterns, you can pinpoint areas of improvement and make necessary adjustments

Smart Lighting

Lighting accounts for a significant portion of a household’s energy consumption. Upgrading to smart lighting systems, such as LED bulbs and smart switches, can drastically reduce your energy usage and extend the lifespan of your bulbs.

Smart Power Strips

Many electronic devices continue to consume energy even when they are turned off or in standby mode. Smart power strips combat this “vampire power” by cutting off power to connected devices when they are not in use. Equipped with built-in timers or occupancy sensors, these power strips can detect when devices are idle or the room is vacant and shut down power accordingly.

Water-saving Devices

Reducing water usage not only conserves a precious resource but also lowers your utility bills. Smart irrigation systems can optimize your outdoor watering schedule based on weather conditions, moisture levels, and plant requirements. Leak detection sensors can alert you to potential leaks and water waste, preventing costly damage and excessive water usage. Smart shower heads and faucets can regulate water flow and provide real-time feedback on consumption, encouraging water conservation.

Embracing smart home upgrades presents an opportunity to save energy, reduce utility bills, and make your home more sustainable. By leveraging technologies such as smart thermostats, energy monitoring systems, smart lighting, smart power strips, and water-saving devices, you can contribute to a greener future as well as enjoy the added benefits of convenience and control over your living space. Homeowners should take advantage of these upgrades to make their homes smarter, greener, and more cost-effective.

Millennial Home Buyers: What You Need To Know

Posted on August 29, 2018 by joeglez

Millennial Home Buyers What You Need To Know In the past, you’ve likely read about how the Millennial generation is opting to rent rather than buy property. While this still holds true for many Millennials, the fact is that a growing number of this generation is making the leap into buying.

In fact, according to Inc., Millennials today represent the largest demographic of new home buyers, responsible for about 35 percent of all real estate purchases. (For comparison’s sake, Gen X’ers are responsible for about 25 percent of the buyer’s market.)

What’s more is the Millennial home buyers have been trending upwards for about four years now, and this trend is expected to continue beyond 2018. Noting this, it makes sense to get to know the Millennial generation and what they’re looking for in a home.

Here’s a closer look:

Straight To The ‘Forever Home’

Hampered by the Great Recession, it’s no secret that Millennials opted to rent, rather than buy, at the tail end of the 2000s. But now Millennials are ready to buy, and they’re not necessarily going for the starter home. No, they’re going right for the forever home.

This is largely because they’re now spending the money that they accrued from saving in rent or from living with their parents for all these years. Many have also moved beyond entry-level positions.

The Connected Home

It’s estimated that more than 13 million Americans currently work from home, a trend that emerged with the Millennial generation and is likely to continue. Noting this, Millennials tend to like the concept of the “smart home.” That is, they desire fast Internet service, smart thermostats and appliances, and energy-efficient features. Young professionals increasingly are working out of the home, so they want their homes to work better for them.

Low Maintenance

What else do Millennials look for in a home? Low maintenance is key. Young professionals are typically very busy starting out their careers, so much so that they don’t necessarily have time to take on a fixer upper. That said, they want a house that is close to move-in ready, has newer appliances, and updated kitchens and bathrooms.

Online Appeal

It’s estimated that up to 95 percent of Millennials rely on the Internet to view listings during the home buying process. Further data states that about 65 percent of buyers walked through a home after viewing it online, and more than 75 percent at least drove by a home after seeing the online listing.

Bottom line: If you’re selling your home these days, make sure that it shows well online. Take pictures with a quality camera and make sure you’re doing it in the right lighting for the best results.

Whether you are in the market to buy a new home or refinance your existing property, be sure to contact your trusted mortgage professional for a pre-approval and financing options.

The Case for Making a “Smart” Garage

Posted on July 12, 2018 by joeglez

The Case for Making a Smart Garage Energy-efficiency, smart electronics and automation have come home to the rest of the house, but many garages still look and feel like neglected warehouses. Why not update the lighting and add some high-tech features that will bring your garage into the 21st Century. Doing so will make your life easier and need not cost a fortune!

Rethink Room Function

Most homeowners use the garage for more than a car park. If it’s part storage room, part play space and part project area, manage the corresponding needs for specialized task lighting, additional circuits for a second refrigerator or freezer, conveniently located space for gadgets, gizmos, bikes and sports gear, and how you’ll deal with yard equipment and gardening tools and trash receptacles. A comprehensive lighting/electrical plan will be a great benefit.

Power Up

Consider your lifestyle, and plan for the uses and activities you envision in the garage. Whether you have built-in storage cabinets, a fully-equipped home workshop, a hobby center, or play space for neighborhood kids, you’ll need handy receptacles for air compressors, charging stations and a variety of portable tools and devices. Trailing extension cords from the receptacle on a door opener is not only unsafe, but inconvenient. If you have or are considering an electric or hybrid vehicle, think about a car-charging station; it will require a 220-240 volt circuit.

Become Energy Efficient

Install sleek, energy efficient recessed cans, and use LED bulbs for bright, attractive general garage lighting that offers greater flexibility than typical fluorescent tube fixtures. They are available for both new construction and remodeling. Also look at insulated garage doors with a row of windows for natural light. Add insulation to walls and ceiling if necessary. Modern garage door openers have advanced safety sensors and lighting timers; but those that are truly smart allow you to monitor operation and control opening and closing via smart phone app as well as by wireless remote.

Go Hands-Free

It’s not uncommon for exterior lighting to be motion-activated, particularly if you have a long driveway or security spotlights on your home’s perimeter. But you can also automate interior lighting, either with motion sensors, or by using door-jamb switches. You’ll love the convenience of never having to fumble in the dark for a light switch!

Tie the Garage Into Home Security

In addition to an intrusion alarm and various sensors for your home’s interior, incorporate air quality sensors and fire and water detectors, even a security camera, in your garage space. Home security is a major concern among potential buyers.

If you’re in the market for a new home, make sure to contact your trusted mortgage professional to get started on the pre-approval process as soon as possible.