Is it Safe to Buy a Smart Home? Home Buyers Should Consider These Tips

The integration of smart home technology has been influencing the real estate market in a big way. 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 the ways in which existing tech can complicate the move-in experience, especially as it relates to 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. Below are a few problems that can arise when a new homeowner moves into an existing smart home, and how they may be mitigated by proper installation and guidance from smart home professionals."

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. "Outdated devices are prone to security threats and vulnerabilities and are often targeted by attackers. Smart home professionals will ensure that all electronic devices in the home – both existing networked devices, and ones that homeowners bring into their new homes – are up to date, as well as setting up auto-security updates or ensuring that the homeowner knows how to update each of their devices."

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."

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."

Related: Amazon's AEA Service Will Change How You Use Smart Devices During Home Emergencies

4 Things to Ask When You're Buying a Home

1. Inquire About Existing Smart Home 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 smart home 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.

Related: 3 Ways to Improve Home Security for Your Outdoor Living Spaces