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4 Tech Upgrades Your Property Needs Now

· Palo Alto California,housingforgoogle,Scott Safadi,Atari-themed,sunnyvale
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Twenty years ago, smart houses were the stuff of science fiction. Now, though, smart technology has weaved its way into virtually every aspect of our modern lives. With our smartphones practically glued to our hands, it's no wonder that we expect our surroundings to be just as efficient as our mobile devices. While there are still many technological leaps to be made before our homes are truly "smart," there are a number of tech upgrades that have become mainstream. If you're looking to appeal to techies and young people especially, Scott Safadi of Cal Bay Property Management recommends these four upgrades:

Smart Thermostat

There are few things as luxurious as being able to adjust the temperature of your home from your bed. Thanks to new smart thermostats, this is a realistic option for your tenants. When paired with a smartphone app, these thermostats can be adjusted from just about anywhere. Because they are programmed to monitor and collect data on your home energy usage, smart thermostats are a great way to save money, too.

Smart Locks

Imagine a world in which keys aren't necessary. While we're probably nowhere near that world right now, we're getting closer. The invention of smart locks is as beneficial to you as it has been for tenants. They no longer need to carry keys with them (and can pass along codes to pet sitters when they're out of town) and you no longer need to rekey every unit when someone moves out. It's truly a win win.

Motion Sensing Lights

This technology has been around for ages, but has become more affordable in recent years. If you've got concerns about the safety of your parking lots or corridors, motion sensing lights are a great option. Not only do they highlight movement and turn on when your tenants need them most, they preserve energy by being used only when necessary.

Smart Light Bulbs

While more energy efficient bulbs have been an option for a few years, truly smart light bulbs are just now becoming mainstream. In addition to being energy efficient, they can shine in over 16 million colors and be set up to mimic the sunrise, sunset and even the aurora borealis. Since lighting is responsible for about 10 percent of all energy uses in homes, this upgrade is a no brainer.

No matter how you choose to design, decorate or upgrade your space, tenants will appreciate you bringing their home into the 21st century.

- Scott Safadi, Cal Bay Property Management