Are you really into smart home’s and are having a hard time convincing your S/O to hop on board? We’ve created this list to aid your cause. So, what are the advantages of having a smart home? Security Cameras, smart locks, motion detectors are a few of the ways you can dramatically increase security in your home. Do your homework and make sure cameras are encrypted and smart locks have deadbolts. Keep those bad guys away. Safety Some people would argue smart homes are not a necessity, but in regards to safety, they ARE. You can keep your family and your home safe with products that detect carbon monoxide/smoke and send you an alert right to your phone. Have you ever left your house and had a panic attack that you left the stove or oven on? You can purchase products like smart stoves and ovens that you can control right from your smart phone! (Bonus: some even have cameras built into the oven so you can watch your food cook. No more burnt toast!) Save $$$ If you do it right, all of those expensive smart home products you bought will end up paying themselves off. You can get a thermostat that tells you if you forgot to turn the heater or A/C off, motion sensors that turn your lights on/off, LED light bulbs that are energy efficient, and more! Convenience Bottom line, smart homes are just convenient. So many little annoyances that we have grown accustomed to can just go away. For example, you can use Alexa for everything. Ask her to order more dog food when you're running low, turn on alarms and timers, ask what the weather is, turn music on and so much more. Sure, you can do those things with your phone or computer, but it’s just so much FASTER! Also, you can get some time saving products to vacuum your floors or mow your lawn on their own. Here are some suggested brands: Brilliant (smart light switch/unifies your devices and Alexa is built in!) Nest (smoke & CO alarm, thermostat, Sonos (sound system) Ring (video doorbell) August (locks) Samsung (kitchen appliances) Roomba (vacuum) Landroid (lawn mower) Photo Credit: Aubrie Pick (Please contact Aubrie for information on other products) https://www.houzz.com/user/aubrie-pick