Alexa, Tell Me About Smart Home Technology

Smart technology is everywhere now: From Alexa to Nest to Google Home, we almost expect our homes to run themselves these days. In the age of technology, there is hardly any part of our lives that remains untouched by gadgets. Beyond convenience (and for second home-owners, a reliable indicator that your second home is actually still standing), smart home technology can increase resale value and increase appeal to prospective buyers. A recent CNET-Coldwell Banker poll found that 81% of respondents would be more likely to buy a home that had smart technology pre-installed, and 66% of homeowners are willing to leave their smart technology behind for buyers if it meant their house would sell faster.

Beyond what it means for stand-alone homes, buildings throughout New York City are incorporating these improvements and upping their amenities to entice renters and buyers. Take a look at some of the most interesting and black mirror-esque technologies we’ve seen offered, as well as items that you can incorporate into your own home. So, Alexa, what are some of the most interesting smart home technologies?

Smart Entry and Intercoms

Not necessarily a high-end offering anymore, keyless entry and wireless intercom systems are found in many newly renovated buildings. A popular building entry system is Latch, which connects residents to the building’s front door and their own apartment door through their cell phone and the Latch app. Keyless entry is often paired with wireless video intercom systems, also controlled through cell phone apps, increasing smartphone connectivity to home amenities.

Cameras

From security cameras to pet-cams that help ensure Fido is not destroying your new rug, monitoring your home remotely is now easier than ever. Having a home security system used to mean signing up for a costly security service like ADP, who would hardwire cameras and other bells and whistles all while charging an ongoing fee. Today, you can easily order a Nest or Ring system and set up cameras in whatever corner of the house you want. Complete with apps and cell phone alerts, you can now keep track of your home security, nanny, or pet right from the palm of your hand. These systems even have facial recognition, so you don’t have to go through the hassle of having your camera mistake you or family members as intruders.

Thermostats

An extremely popular smart improvement is automated and wireless thermostats. One of the most favored products is NEST smart thermostat, which, at only $249, is a great way to make your life more convenient, and even save some money on heating and cooling. NEST allows residents to control their apartment’s temperature though a simple mobile app. From the comfort of your bed you can lower the temperature if you like it colder when you sleep, and you can even raise the temperature before leaving work so it is warm when you arrive home. Better yet, the app will learn your habits, and will automate these temperatures on its own.

Lighting

Smart lighting falls under two categories — smart overhead lighting and automated curtains. Whether it’s overhead lighting that can be controlled through a remote, an app, or through Amazon Alexa, lighting has become much more advanced (yet much more convenient) than walking over to the light switch and manually controlling your lights. Smart light bulbs often allow for dimming regardless of whether the fixture itself has been wired dimming or not. Besides the optimization of electrical lighting, natural lighting can also be controlled by smart technology; once a luxury seen only in movies, motorized curtains are becoming more and more common, with buildings offering this as a hot-ticket amenity. Even if your building doesn’t offer automated shades, companies like the Shade Store can come and install them for you — I just had these installed in my own house last week, and have to admit there is nothing better than shutting out piercing morning light with the press of a button.

Smart Appliances

While just taking off, smart appliances have been making headlines for their development and compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Home. Samsung has been at the forefront of smart appliance development, with offerings including smart stovetops, smart washer and dryers, and even smart refrigerators that track groceries, a family calendar, and play music.

Communal Offerings

Beyond what is offered in apartment units themselves, many buildings are also making an effort to improve their communal amenities as well. Communal spaces themselves have been an up-and-coming trend, but in a real estate market where competition stiffens every day, buildings have tried to further amp up their amenities. Basic things like free wifi and printing services are being offered in most higher-end buildings, along with more advanced amenities such as the TopBrewer app, which allows residents to order beverages on an app before picking them up in the communal lounge (the smart brew tap will prepare the drink, so no need for a barista). The TopBrewer app is featured in Murray Hill’s House39, which also has a transit screen in the lobby that projects real time transportation statuses, as well as Lyft, Uber, Via, and Zipcar updates. Another hi-tech offering increasing in popularity is a smart mail system. Package Concierge is a wall unit with mailboxes that sends residents notifications when a package is delivered. When residents want to retrieve their packages, all they have to do is put their phone to the scanner and the mailbox opens so they can retrieve their package. Not only does this make tracking shipments easier for residents, it also simplifies the mail sorting process for building staff.

While not every building is jumping on the smart home technology bandwagon, there is definitely a growing trend, especially among new developments, to offer increasingly "tech-friendly" amenities. Even if your building doesn't offer any high-tech communal amenities (yet), there are still plenty of items you can purchase and install yourself to incorporate "smart" aspects into your own home.

#BlogPosts

What Do You Need to Know About Airbnb?

To Airbnb, or not to Airbnb, that is the question. Before you put your home on Airbnb or buy a property with the intention of listing it for short-term rental, be sure to do your homework and consider speaking to an attorney. As a starting point, here’s a brief overview of some of the regulations and rules that come into play.

Do you rent?

If you are a renter, chances are your lease prohibits subletting or renting without permission from the landlord. Some landlords go even further and will explicitly prohibit tenants from doing short-term rentals and will monitor the Airbnb site to see if tenants are advertising on it. For those in rent-stabilized or rent-controlled apartments, the New York City Rent Stabilization Code prohibits tenants from making a profit by subletting their below-market-rate apartments, and illegal hosts can face hefty fines and eviction.

Do you own a coop or condo?

Even if the building does not explicitly prohibit Airbnb, it may be covered under the building’s bylaws, proprietary lease, or house rules (e.g. many buildings include a house rule against guests entering or staying in an apartment in the absence of the owner or tenant shareholder). Violating these rules could mean fines or even eviction.

Are you subject to New York’s Multiple Dwelling Law?

New York’s Multiple Dwelling Law applies to any building that houses 3 or more families, even if the host owns the entire building. This law makes it illegal to rent any private apartment for fewer than 30 days unless the host is present for the entire duration of the rental. Crackdowns on violations have increased, and merely advertising an illegal rental can lead to fines of $1,000 or more per listing.

Is your house up to snuff?

Would-be hosts must ensure that their homes comply with certain building codes, such as occupancy levels. Meeting these standards could be pricey.

Are you subject to the hotel occupancy tax?

In addition to standard income taxes, etc., you may be subject to New York’s Hotel Room Occupancy Tax. The computation and applicability of this is complex, and as with all tax-related matters, you should consult your accountant or tax professional.

Airbnb can provide visitors with inexpensive short-term lodging and hosts with a healthy income stream; but on the flip side, a revolving door of strangers can be a nightmare for neighbors. With this push and pull, the future of Airbnb in New York is a bit up in the air as the city council is currently considering a bill, largely advanced by the hotel industry, that would further crack down on short-term rentals in the city.

One of the real estate attorneys we work with frequently also wrote an article on this topic, and includes even more details. Check it out here.

#BlogPosts

What is local law 11?

When working with buyers, especially those looking at pre-war homes, one of the first questions I ask is when the last Local Law 11 cycle was completed. Local law 11 work, which addresses maintenance to the facade and exterior of a building, is expensive and often cause for a building to levy an assessment (a short term increase in monthly charges paid by owners.) While most buyers are far more concerned with kitchen renovations and closet space during their home search, in NYC, general building condition and any impending façade work can be an another important factor to remember.

Falling debris in the 1970s led Mayor Ed Koch to pass Local Law 10 to make sure building exteriors in the city were safe. All buildings that are 6 stories and higher must be inspected. The law evolved when Local Law 11 was passed in 1998, which created additions regulations.

Additions to the law include the following:

-The entire building must be inspected, not just the sides that face the street

-All inspections must include scaffolding, instead of visual inspection from a distance

-Buildings must complete a report on any deterioration and then classified as "Safe," "Unsafe," or "Safe with a Repair and Maintenance Program"

Buildings are on a staggered 5 year cycle to inspect and complete any necessary repairs. You can learn more about Local Law 11 here.

#FAQ #FAQNYLiving