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Smart home upgrades can be worth the money. Several upgrades, including smart thermostats and ceiling fans, can help reduce your energy bills. Others make life more convenient, freeing up your time to do what you love (or get more work done). And some smart home upgrades, such as entertainment systems, simply make life more enjoyable. All are worthy causes.

A blower door test shouldn’t take more than an hour, and most can be completed in less than 30 minutes. Expect the test to take longer once you start searching for leaks with thermal imaging or want to include sealing such leaks in the time estimate. The test doesn’t take much time and can’t be rushed, but it will take longer in large homes or those with many air leaks.

There are several strategic ways to lower your home insurance premium. The primary one is to shop around and get quotes every few years to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Also, sometimes bundling your auto and homeowner’s insurance will get you a discount on both. Finally, try to keep your credit score up; many homeowner insurance companies use credit scores to generate quotes.

While some aspects of an appraisal, such as comparable properties nearby, are out of your control, there are several steps you can take to potentially increase your home's value. Make any necessary repairs and upgrades before the appraiser's visit, as they can only value what is currently part of the home, not its potential. Examples include renovating older areas, updating landscaping to boost curb appeal, and staging your home. You can also provide the appraiser with the cost of recent upgrades, which may increase your home's value by about 50% or more of what you paid for those improvements.