Smart Home Technology and Copper Creek Homes.

Don’t Be Afraid of Smart Home Technology

The smart-home technology craze began years ago in some parts of the country, but in many other areas, it’s only just begun.

If you’re just entering this market, or have yet to do so because you think you don’t have the know-how, fear not – you don’t need to be a technology specialist.

Product developers are constantly churning out new gizmos, like the thousands that were displayed at the recent Consumer Electronics Show. But only a small number are actually embraced by the general public.

Get a feel for what you could use in your  new Copper Creek Home.

During an education session at this year’s International Builders’ Show, Greg Haupert, the executive director of Business Networking International and a home-technology integration specialist, listed several smart-home trends that have truly started to take root, including:

·        Contemporary comfort with automated thermostats, lighting and security systems that quickly learn the owner’s preferences and can be controlled and monitored from anywhere in the world.

·        High-tech appliances like refrigerators with internal cameras that allow the owner to remotely check its contents, and an automated compressor that adjusts its speed according to how much food is inside. Smart TVs – not simply those that run apps like Netflix and Hulu, but rather, TVs that are integrated to create a smart-home hub through which many, if not all of the home’s smart features can be controlled.

Team up with an expert Like Global Security located in Vancouver WA

Once you know what your needs are , but don’t feel confident enough to make the purchase and install these features contact an expert like Global Security. It’s okay to admit you don’t have all the technology answers as you begin to build your custom home with Copper Creek Homes. “Having a smart-home technology expert that you can rely on and consult with on your new Copper Creek Home will help you choose the necessary smart home and security features.

Plan ahead

Before you get past framing in your new Copper Creek Home it’s important to plan for your smart home. Custom smart-home technology is best integrated when planned for well in advance. Pre-wiring a new home can save the client thousands down the road. When you build a home with Copper Creek Homes we will meet with you once framing is completed and before we sheetrock to discuss what smart home features you want and where exactly you want everything. Partnering with Global Security Copper Creek Homes wants to discover which pieces of technology each of our clients want and how they want to use them in their home. From there, go through the floor plan room by room and ask how you might want to use the technology in each space.

Currently Copper Creek Homes offers the below features as standard and at no cost  to our clients.

3-TV RG6 and Cat 6

1 Data Phone or Internet

14" Connection Center

Cable Plates and Inserts

Keyless Door Smartlock

Permit

All Connections to service entry

1 Door Sensor

1 Motion Sensor

1 Key Pad

1 Thermostat

1 Smart Home Module

14" Concord Security Panel(ALL WIRING IN 1 PLACE)

3 Months FREE trial of Alarm.com

5 Tips for First-Time Home Buyers

My Home January 27, 2016

Buying a new home can be exciting, empowering, thrilling and even a bit scary. Doing your research on new homes and understanding your financial situation can help you buy a home that will suit the needs of you and your family. Here are five tips for first-time homebuyers.

1. Know Your Credit History

Before you begin looking for a new home, take time to review your credit history andcredit report. Make sure all of the information listed on your credit report is fully updated and accurate. If there are any errors, dispute them so they can be removed. Ultimately, your credit history and credit score play an important role in the mortgage amount and interest rate that you will qualify for.

2. Know the Mortgage Amount You Qualify For

There’s no point in falling in love with a home you can’t afford. Working with lending professionals can empower you during the home-buying process. By meeting with a lender to get prequalified or preapproved for a mortgage, you’ll know your budget for a new home and can begin shopping in the appropriate price range. If the houses in your price range don’t meet your standards, take a little more time to save a larger down payment or improve your credit.

3. Save Up for Your Down Payment

When saving to buy a home, plan to have 20% of the home’s value ready for a down payment. Having your payment ready lowers your overall mortgage costs and makes you a more attractive buyer in a situation with competing bids. If you can’t afford 20%, your mortgage loan officer can provide you with more information about other options available. Also, ask your lender to help you estimate the other fees associated with the closing process, commonly called closing costs. These fees will include legal, property tax, survey, title insurance and recording and underwriting fees. Some of these closing costs can be financed as part of your mortgage, but others will need to be paid up front.

4. Evaluate Any Outstanding Debts You May Have

If you have significant outstanding debts, such as student loans, know that this could impact the total mortgage amount that a lender offers to you. You may want to pay down significant outstanding debts and liabilities that you have listed on your credit report. Taking care of these debts beforehand can put you in a better position to qualify for a new mortgage.

5. Figure Out the Home That You Can Afford

Your lending professional has tools and calculators to determine how much home you can afford, but ultimately the answer is up to you. In addition to your mortgage payment, consider other costs associated with your new home, including monthly utility bills, landscaping costs, community association fees and property taxes. Also, take into account the sort of lifestyle you lead: Do you need to take a vacation every summer? Are you planning to start a family or go back to college? Consider your unique situation, and choose the home that is right for you.

Visit usbank.com for more information for first time home buyers.