Have you ever counted the number of internet-connected devices in your home? Just two years ago the average household had eight, and now we’re at 10 and counting. Smart homes aren’t the future—they’re right now. Sure, smart tech adds efficiency and convenience to your home… but does it add value?

Turns out, yes. A lot. Buyers like smart homes. When compared to homes without tech, smart ones sell faster and for more money. Millennials will pay 20% more for a smart house—but so will 65% of Boomers. The key is having the products already installed and functioning before you list your home for sale.

There are thousands of smart home gadgets out there, including some that frankly should have stayed dumb (looking at you, smart toaster). You could spend a ton on home tech, but you don’t need to. The data is in, and we know which four products are most appealing to buyers. Keep it simple, right?

Nº 1 Thermostat

A smart thermostat can be controlled with a phone, tablet, smart speaker or other internet-connected device. You can schedule your desired temperature settings, and can also incorporate your thermostat into a full-fledged home automation system if you’d like. In addition to looking cool and sophisticated, they provide efficiency, convenience and best of all, savings.

Not every thermostat has every feature. Obviously the ones that cost the least do the least, and the ones that cost the most do the most. But here’s a good overview of the possibilities:

• Learn your heating and cooling preferences and automatically adjust

• Diagnose when there’s a problem with your ductwork or HVAC

• Remind you when it’s time to change your air filter

• Give you details regarding your energy consumption

• Come with Alexa built in so there’s no need for a separate smart speaker

• Measure the temperature in a specific room or area and heat or cool it as needed

• Recognize when you’re there and reduce heating and cooling when you’re not

Nº 2 Smoke & CO2 Detector

Considering the demand for them, there are not a ton of smart smoke detectors to choose from. Some of the benefits aren’t exactly life-saving, like the fact that you can temporarily silence it from your phone when you’re cooking (no more jabbing at the alarm with a broomstick). Here’s what you can expect from the best models:

• Detect both smoke and carbon monoxide

• Come with 10-year battery

• Perform a self-check once a month

• Send an alert to your phone so you can call a neighbor or the fire department to check it out if you’re not home

• Tell you exactly where the fire in your home is located

• If you have more than one detector, and one goes off, the other ones will too

• Automatically turn on your smart lighting so you can find your way out

Nº 3 Security System

All home security systems work on the same basic principle of securing entry points, like doors and windows, and sometimes rooms or areas, like those containing valuables. Regardless of the size of your home, or the number of doors and windows or areas you decide to protect, the only real difference is in the number of monitored checkpoints throughout your house.

Smart cameras can be accessed remotely on computers, phones and tablets, which is handy if you’re out of town or have teenagers lol. They can also record security breaches and provide footage of a home invasion, including the ugly mug of the intruder and maybe even some shots of the getaway car. In case of a false alarm, you can manage the situation by arming or disarming the system from anywhere in the world.

Most home insurance companies provide great discounts—up to 20%—if you have a security system. They say that homes without security are three times more likely to be burglarized, so…

A typical home security system includes:

• Control panel

• Door and window sensors

• Interior and exterior motion sensors

• Security cameras

• High-decibel alarm

• Yard sign and window stickers (hate these but what can you do)

Nº 4 Keyless Entry & Locks

The gold standard is a keyless entry system that includes a smart lock AND a good ol’ fashioned deadbolt. You can use voice commands to lock and unlock the door remotely from your phone, computer or tablet, as well as use the tried ‘n’ true “touch and turn” method of engaging a deadbolt.

Never worry about keys again, unlock your door from anywhere, give codes to people like dog walkers and babysitters, and still get the benefit of the most effective kind of door security anywhere, the dreaded deadbolt.

Christy Rosen Clement is a Pricing Strategy Advisor®, Seller Representative Specialist®, Military Relocation Professional® and REALTOR® at Palermo Real Estate Professionals in South Tampa