You no longer need a ton of connections to make things happen. Any homeowner, regardless of age or experience, can handle complex tasks with nothing more than a smartphone. The key is to know which solutions you have available.
5 Tasks Homeowners Can Handle With a Swipe and a Tap
You have more choices than ever before. As the old Apple commercials used to say, “There’s an app for that!” The question is, which tasks are useful to you as a homeowner, and how can you leverage them most effectively?
Let’s take a look at some of the more powerful use cases:
1. Refinancing
With rates as low as they’ve been over the last few years, many homeowners have taken advantage of the opportunity to refinance their mortgages. Some do so as a way of pulling out equity to use on home improvements and purchases, while others are simply seeking lower payments and/or faster repayment periods. But there’s another reason more homeowners are refinancing than ever before – it’s convenient!
With online mortgage refinancing, the bulk of the process can be done with a few simple clicks. Everything else can be handled with brief phone calls and electronic signatures. This makes it easy to streamline the refinancing process without interrupting your schedule.
2. Selling FSBO
While most people prefer the expertise, protection, and simplicity that come with using a realtor, there’s still a large contingency of homeowners interested in the cost-savings of doing a For-Sale-By-Owner (FSBO) transaction. And with a smartphone in your pocket, it’s easier than ever before. Apps like Redfin, Zillow, and Homesnap give you the ability to competitively list, market, and manage your own listing with less stress and hassle. It’s so easy even you can do it!
3. Capture Colors for Custom Paint
Renovating your house, but not sure you know which colors to go with? There are a number of color capture apps on the market that allow you to snap a picture and perfectly match the color in the image. Color Capture by Benjamin Moore is one of the best. The app will match the color to one of the Benjamin Moore paint shades. Ask Val is another useful, feature-packed option.
“The app allows you to explore Valspar paint colors available at Lowe’s, ACE, or independent retailers,” This Old House explains. “The paint calculator helps you estimate how much paint you’ll need for your project. Users can upload photos and get advice from a color consultant via live video, audio, or e-mail. The app also provides how-to videos to help get your project off the ground.”
4. Virtual Staging and Design
Have you ever wondered what your house would look like with different furniture, finishes, or layouts? Well, you don’t have to imagine. With virtual design tools, you can snap a few pictures of your home and use interactive software to swap out things like paint colors, backsplashes, and furniture.
If you’re selling your home, you’ll find an array of virtual staging apps and solutions that let you stage your home with high-end furniture and design. This sales tactic may even allow you to increase the sale price of your property.
5. Smart Home Related Tasks
Your smartphone is a tool of convenience. But it can also increase the security and efficiency of your house. Imagine being able to tap a button and have your security system engage, doors lock, thermostats adjust, lights turn on/off, and motion sensor cameras activate. Well, it’s all possible with just a few connected devices and the right smartphone apps.
Many of today’s leading home security providers have connected apps that come included with your monthly fee. All you have to do is download these apps and you can control your home from anywhere. Whether you’re away on vacation or resting in bed, convenience is just a swipe away.
Be a Proactive Homeowner
There’s a fine line between being too reliant on technology and not using it enough. As a homeowner, the key is to leverage mobile apps and online resources as tools for being more proactive. If it saves you time and/or money, it’s worth considering. If it simply leaves you feeling more stressed out, you’re not doing yourself any favors. Use your smartphone wisely and work smarter – not harder!
