What Smart Technology Do You Recommend??

Question

Hi,

I will be going live with my STR rental in the next few months and was hoping to get your recommendations on smart technology. Currently, I'm considering the following:

- Smart Locks: August

- Noise monitoring: Noiseaware or Party Squasher

- Doorbell: Ring

- Floodlight: Ring

I am open to suggestions. What brands do you recommend for home surveillance? My thought process is to install 2 outdoor cameras.

Thank you!

Clara Brechtel · Answer

Hi Brandon,

I recommend the Arlo surveillance camera. You can buy a software subscription ($10/month I believe) that notifies you whenever a person or car arrives at the property. This is helpful to be notified when guests first arrive at the house. Costco sells these cameras in packs at a good price.

For smart locks, I have used August locks and they work okay but don't seem as robust as my Schlage or Yale locks that I have at other properties. They also have more issues in cold climates. Now, I use schlage or yale integrated with remotelock to generate automatic codes for my guests.

Scott Yesner · Answer

@Brandon Carlson it depends. For example, I have townhomes in the city that have roof decks. I put Noiseawares on the roof decks because it's a common place for guests to hang out late and noise travels really easily. I also have homes in the mountains that have decks and outdoor hot tubs. I do not install noiseawares there because noise travels less easily and I think it would be harder to say that a noise disturbance was definitely the result of a guest.

Michael Baum · Answer

We have a Schlage Encode ZWave lock. Has been working perfectly with the Samsung Smart Things hub for 5 years now. We also have a Emerson Sensi thermostat that is WiFi. Also has been working perfectly.

The Sensi is nice because it doesn't need a C wire if you have A/C and heat.

Andrew Street · Answer

I think the answer can change a little bit based on if you are a more hands off/hands on investor. I've been using 'Vivint' as my security system and it has turned my properties into basically smart homes. I can control the temperature of the house, the locks on the doors, cameras to see what's going on outside, sensors for moisture/freezing in the basement, door sensors for doors that shouldn't be open and a lot more. The locks are also radio frequency, which means the batteries only need to be replaced every 1-2 years. Of course I'm never in person, so I really like having all of these details. It is more expensive (less than $100/month), but our properties more than cover it. Not for everyone, but I figured I'd put it out there.

Scott Yesner · Answer

@Brandon Carlson I would definitely recommend Noise Aware for noise monitoring. I use them across my 200+ STR units and they've been great. Very easy to onboard and work with.

I agree with everyone else recommending Schlage. I have had too many issues with August locks in the past.

John Underwood · Answer

Check out many past posts on this subject.

I use Honeywell wifi color touchscreen thermostats.

Rheem wifi water heater.

Digital watchdog cameras and ring cameras at another STR.

Wifi tank level monitor for a PF cabin with well and multiple reservoir tanks.

remote sensor for house gas tank.

schlage smart lock (at my house)

mesh wifi extender at large cabin.

I think that's it.

Bruce Woodruff · Answer

I feel so out of touch. I don't use anything like this, everything is manual...except maybe the Schlage lock on one place where I set the code every time to be the last 4 of the guests ph# :-)

But hey, less to break and go wrong huh?

Brandon Carlson · Answer

@Scott Yesner do you use the indoor, outdoor, or both monitoring systems for your STR's?

What Smart Technology Do You Recommend??

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