Catch the new trend that hitting 2014

The Smart Home

The fast pace and ever growing possibilities of today's and tomorrow's technology are exciting. I mean we've all heard of Smartphones, SmartTVs, SmartCars, but now new products are available almost daily to fill our homes full of hi-tech solutions! 

They will make our lives more automated, convenient and energy efficient. It offers everything for the do-it-yourselfer, putting remote control of your home in the palm of your hand.

Control lighting and appliances throughout your home remotely from a smartphone. You can dim lights while watching a movie or having dinner, or schedule lights to turn on and off while you are on vacation. It will help stay green and save energy by checking to see if any lights were left on, or turn off anything that is plugged in.

You could even consider using a programmable thermostat to increase energy management and reduce your utility bill by regulating thermostat use and temperatures based on your family's schedule.

Home automation also includes the safety of your family. Researching various websites that now specialise in this new technological age, I came across a lot of companies that can keep tabs on who comes in and out of your house via bio-metric scanners. Also Cameras that can be remotely accessed on your smartphone apps, even doors that swing open by voice recognition. Finally you'll be able to keep tabs on those pesky teenagers sneaking off into the night! 

I have no doubt that SmartHomes will take off like a rocket (maybe even literally!) and become more accessible to the public and increase vastly in popularity the next few years.

Most research done on http://www.smarthome.com/_/index.aspx

Getting rid of the kids

Research by the housing charity Shelter suggests that almost 1 in 4 18 to 34 year olds are still living with parents at home. Often because they think a home of their own will be unaffordable.

However, it may be worth checking what new developments are around in your area as a recent development in Selby proved.

Redrow Homes were offering their starter homes/apartments with an all inclusive monthly service charge that included utility bills like gas, electricity and water right down to window cleaning.

On top of that, their easi:buy scheme meant 25% of the purchase price could be deferred - the deferred payment terms being extended from 10 to 25 years.

New properties like this usually come with fitted kitchens and modern bathroom suites so once you're in, apart from a spot of personal decorating, everything else is taken care of.

Of course getting rid of the kids will leave you with plenty of time to do all those home improvements you've been promising yourself, and Home Improvement Quotes family of online quoting websites are ready 24/7 to help you by giving you an instant online price for everything from double glazing & conservatories to dream kitchens and bathrooms.

photo credit: evelynishere