Did you have a techno Christmas? It’s tough to resist all the new gadgets, most especially at this time of the year when catalogs, commercials, mailers and social media ads inundate our lives.
How does home technology come into play when you sell or buy a smart home?
Let’s start with a main hub, such as the internet modem. Modems are not typically attached to the home and neither are extenders. These items are personal property of the seller and don’t remain with the property, unless other arrangements have been made in writing. When you purchase a home and need a modem and extenders, take time to investigate your options. These items are like most other tech that advances quickly in technology.
Smart plugs that plug into a home’s existing outlets are also personal property; however, if smart outlets have been installed as outlet replacements, those are now part of the home and convey with the property. The same for smart light switches. These outlets and switches also operate using Alexa or Google devices. The Alexa and Google devices are personal property. In order for you to operate your smart outlets and switches you will need your own device.
Smart thermostats are attached to the home and remain while smart light bulbs can be both. If the smart light bulbs are in a personal property lamp, they don’t remain, but if they are in lighting fixtures attached to the home, they stay. Smart door locks, doorbells are typically attached and remain. Smart security cameras will depend on how they are set up. Typically, anything attached in a permanent way to the home stays.
If you are purchasing a home that has been advertised as a smart home, work with your Realtor to make sure the smart home items that are important to you are listed in your purchase agreement. If you are a seller that wants to sell your home as a smart home, make sure you give a detailed list of what remains and doesn’t to your Realtor at the time they take the listing.
Happy New Year!
Karen Domnitz is vice president of the Ramona Real Estate Association and a Realtor with Century 21
