Getting the keys is just the beginning. Once the boxes are unpacked, the question we hear most from our clients is some version of: "What should we add to make this place feel like ours?"
So we made a list. Our new Smart Home Shopping Guide rounds up nine easy upgrades that make a home safer, smarter and a little cozier. None of them need a contractor, most install in an afternoon, and a few are things we use in our own house every single day.
Whether you just closed, you're counting down to closing day, or you've been in your home for years, here's what made the list and why.
Peace of mind from day one
If you only do three things after closing, start here. These are the upgrades we recommend most to new homeowners.
Kwikset Halo Wi-Fi Smart Lock. You never really know how many keys to your new home are floating around. A smart lock lets you set fresh codes on move-in day, with no locksmith needed. It also unlocks automatically as you pull up, which is a lifesaver when your arms are full of groceries.
Ring Battery Doorbell 4K Pro. See who's at the door from anywhere, in crisp 4K with night vision and up to 10x zoom. It runs on a quick-release battery, so there's no wiring to worry about. It's great for package deliveries, too.
GoveeLife Smart Water Leak Detector. This is the least glamorous item on the list and maybe the most valuable. Tuck one under the kitchen sink, behind the toilet or next to the water heater. If it senses water, it sounds a loud alarm and sends an alert to your phone, so a small drip doesn't turn into a big repair.
Comfort, sleep and cleaner air
ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential. Treasure Valley weather swings from hot summers to cold winters, and a smart thermostat helps you stay comfortable without heating or cooling an empty house. The ecobee is ENERGY STAR certified, and you can adjust it from your phone wherever you are.
Hatch Sunrise Alarm. This one is a Powell household favorite. Instead of a jarring alarm, it slowly brightens like a sunrise, and the soft flute music makes waking up genuinely soothing. At night it doubles as a wind-down light and sound machine.
Alen 45i HEPA Air Purifier. We have this one at home and love it. It has a true HEPA filter (we chose the Ultimate filter), and it's quiet enough for a bedroom. It's a great pick during wildfire season or if anyone in your home has allergies.
Our game changer, plus a few fun extras
Kasa Smart Switches. If we had to pick one upgrade, this is it. We use Kasa switches throughout our home and they've been a total game changer. You can turn lights on and off from your phone or with your voice, set schedules, and never come home to a dark house again.
Smart LED Bluetooth Speaker. A portable wireless speaker with HD sound and touch-play LED lights. Take it from the kitchen to the patio to a backyard barbecue.
Waterless Essential Oil Diffuser. It's a sleek black diffuser you control from an app, and it's an easy way to make a new house smell like home. It also makes a great housewarming gift.
Before you buy
Check your wiring. Smart switches and thermostats often need a neutral wire or a C-wire. Take a quick look behind the switch plate, or ask an electrician, before you order.
Pick one app and one voice assistant. Most of these work with Alexa or Google Home. Sticking with one keeps everything in a single place.
Start small. Add a lock, a leak detector and a couple of switches first. You can always build from there.
Get the guide
Get your Guide Here.
Every product in it has a clickable link, so it's easy to save, share or shop later. With the holidays around the corner, it's a handy gift list, too.
Have a question about your home, a project you're planning, or a friend who's thinking about buying or selling? We'd love to hear from you. Call us at 208.757.7667 or email sold@PowellGroupIdaho.com.
Kirsten & Rick Powell, The Powell Group | Real Broker, your Boise, Idaho connection
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