A woman using the latest technology upgrades in her home uses an AR headset.

If you compare a home from 2010 to one from 2020, you will notice quite a few significant contrasts. The American home is ever-changing, the most recent shifts being more technological home upgrades. Keep reading to find out what home features have become increasingly popular in today’s home design.

1. Smart Home Upgrades

As more and more technology is created, homeowners are looking for ways to modernize their homes with the smart home experience. This can include home speakers that can accept commands such as “I’m leaving” and then turn off the lights, enable a security system, and more. Anyone looking to upgrade their home, installing smart thermostats, light systems, or smart home features is a great plan to keep your home modern.

2. Whole-Home Water Filtration

The majority of homeowners are concerned about the quality of their tap water. Whole-home water filtration uses innovative filters to eliminate contaminants from the water, producing great-tasting fresh tap water.

Rather than a single faucet, under-sink, or fridge filters, these systems filter all the drinkable water in the home. The benefits of this system are the clean water that homeowners can shower in and drink. Plus, because the systems soften the water, long term damage to the home’s pipes is unlikely.

Whole-home water filtration is a home upgrade with long-term savings and benefits for the environment and the homeowner.

3. Energy-Saving Home Upgrades

If you’re interested in saving money in the long run by making home improvements, you’ll want to look at your heating and cooling costs. Most U.S. homeowners spend thousands on their heating and cooling systems each year, so even minor efficient improvements can have a major impact on your payments. Here are a few ideas to help improve your heating and cooling systems:

  • Installing a smart thermostat: We mentioned these before, and they really can save you money. By automating temperature shifts, smart thermostats can reduce heating and cooling expenses by up to 10%. Make sure to check with your local utility service-many offer energy conservation programs that can save you even more.
  • Adding attic insulation: Your poorly insulated attic can be expensive. When your air conditioner and furnace cool and heat your home, the air gets lost in the ducts, into the attic, and out the roof. Adding insulation can help keep the air inside your home and save you on energy costs.
  • Tankless Water Heaters: If your water heater needs replacing, consider installing a tankless water heater. Also called demand-type water heaters, these systems are growing in popularity. Tankless systems are more efficient, provide endless hot water, and typically have a longer life.

4. Flexible Areas

Do you have a guest room or office in your home? How often does that room get used for its intended purpose? In more and more homes, rooms are being turned into flexible spaces for homeowners.

To create this flexible space, homeowners install fold-away beds to stow away quickly, opening up floor space. Traditional offices are being turned into gyms or sitting rooms, even yoga studios.

This year, many homeowners will opt for this flexibility as it creates so many more options.

What Will Homes Look Like in the Decade Ahead?

Many homeowners are looking for new ways to cut expenses and waste while also improving their homes to fit their need for flexibility. Upgrading your home will continue to look different over the years as this new decade brings modern changes. If you are cash-strapped for home improvements, a refinance might be the perfect solution to lower your monthly mortgage payment and get extra cash in your bank account to implement some of these home technological upgrades and increase the value of your home. The JVM Team is available 7 days a week and are able to answer any questions about home value, refinances, and the mortgage process.

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