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Top 10 Smart Home Features Homeowners Love

EXPECTED READ TIME: 4 MINUTES

July 16, 2021

We often take for granted the conveniences that have come along over recent decades. How did people cook before microwave ovens? How did they watch TV without remote controls? Did people really wash all of those dishes by hand before dishwashers? Those updates can't hold a candle to the potential benefits of a well-designed and integrated smart home.

Imagine an entrance sequence that is programmed to the personal preferences of each of your family members. Imagine home systems that look out for themselves and alert you if something is going wrong. Imagine home security that lets you keep watch over your pets and loved ones no matter where you are. All of this and more is possible with today's smart homes — and the possibilities are only getting more exciting.

1. Climate Control

Program your heat to ramp up to a comfortable level 30 minutes before you get home. Check your AC levels by phone when you're traveling. The ability to control your home's temperature allows you to save money on your utility bills, care for the environment, and maximize your personal comfort level.

2. Home Security

From video footage to monitored home security and home systems, smart home security offers added peace of mind for the whole family. With remote access to your interior and exterior cameras, you'll always know what's going on back home, no matter how far away you roam. Check for fire, carbon monoxide, and flooding so that you and your home are better protected.

3. Home Entertainment

From your party playlist to your favorite film, smart home entertainment makes it easy for you to find the media you love. Stream the big game or a family movie night and use smart speakers to allow everyone to listen in. With smart home entertainment systems, you'll enjoy convenient access to it all.

4. Smart Entrances

You approach your front door juggling mail and groceries, or head out for vacation carrying loads of luggage. With smart doors, you'll be able to open the door with the touch of a button on your phone or a voice command, then lock it uptight when you're through. Lend temporary smart digital keys to visitors or workers for convenience and security. Even let your pets in and out with microchip-activated smart pet doors.

5. Smart Kitchens

We're not quite living in Jetsons territory, but smart kitchens have made tremendous progress. For example, with smart cocktail and coffee makers, you'll enjoy access to automated bartending and barista services. In addition, smart home appliances, both large — like fridges and ovens — and small — like toasters and crockpots — can automate your cooking for more delicious results.

6. Smart Lighting

From smart lighting fixtures to simple and affordable smart light bulbs, you can control light levels, colors, and other features. Arriving home later than usual? Don't stumble into a dark home searching for the light switch. Instead, turn on the lights before you arrive for added safety and a more welcoming entrance.

7. Interactive Environments

With a fully integrated smart home setup, you create a residential environment where all of your home's systems and appliances can communicate seamlessly. For example, use voice commands or a mobile app to control lights, temperature, window shades, and entrances, both while you're in the home and when you're away.

8. Remote Operations

We've all left home for vacation only to experience that sinking feeling of forgetting to turn off the oven or having left the door unlocked. With remote operations from your phone, you can check and make sure that everything is just as it should be — and take care of anything that's not right. This way, you'll never again have to call the neighbors to stop by and check in.

9. System Updating

Doesn't it seem like many home features are practically designed to wear out every year or two? With smart home systems, you'll enjoy the convenience of regular, convenient software updates so that you can take advantage of the latest features as they roll out.

10. Integrated Features

Imagine arriving home after a hard day. With a simple command from your phone, the door unlocks for you, the lights come on, the air conditioner clicks on, and your favorite song is playing. Now that's the kind of welcome that you deserve! With features that can be fully integrated and streamlined, you can create an environment that is custom-made for your preferences. So, whether you're buying a new house or upgrading your current one — make your life easier with these high-tech features.

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Disclosures

^*Prime Rate is 6.750% as of December 12, 2025. The APR for this Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) is based on prime plus a margin and can change monthly. Fixed Rate Advances will be amortized over the Fixed Rate Advance Term, with the payment consisting of principal and interest. Your Annual Percentage Rate for a Fixed Rate Advance will be calculated by adding your Prime Rate, your Margin, and the Additional Fixed Rate Lock-In Margin. Your Annual Percentage Rate for a Fixed Rate Advance shall not exceed 18% and shall be equal to or greater than 6.750% for primary residences and second homes.

Annual Fee: Notwithstanding the foregoing, an annual fee of $99 will be assessed on each account anniversary.
Home equity lines of credit (HELOC) are variable rate loans and the interest rate is subject to increase after consummation of the loan on monthly basis. Closing costs range between $500 and $8,500 for credit lines of $500,000. Contact a representative for additional details.

Appraisals: PenFed will attempt to establish value via an independent method. If that method is unsuccessful, or the value is not sufficient for the amount requested, an appraisal will be required regardless of CLTV. An appraisal is always required in the following circumstances:

For all loans with a loan amount greater than $400,000.

If an appraisal is required, it must be ordered by PenFed. You will be contacted for authorization and payment prior to ordering. Appraisal fees average $550 to $850 (some run higher).

Closing Cost Credit: PenFed will pay most closing costs associated with a home equity line of credit (HELOC), which includes credit report, flood certification, settlement/closing, property ownership and encumbrances search, recording, property search, and quick close. Member is responsible for any city, county, and/or state taxes if the subject property is located in FL, LA, MD, MN, NY, TN, or VA. If an appraisal is required, the member, who is responsible for the fee whether or not the loan closes, will pay the cost.

Interest may be tax deductible, consult a tax advisor for further information regarding the tax deductibility of interest and charges.

Fixed Rate Advance Lock-In You may lock in an Annual Percentage Rate for Advances during the Draw Period. During your Draw Period, you may choose to have three separate Fixed Rate Advances locked in at any one time, with a maximum of two new Fixed Rate Advances per calendar year. Each Fixed Rate Advance must equal or exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) and you may not request a Fixed Rate Advance that would cause the amount you owe to exceed your Credit Limit. The only term option for your Fixed Rate Advance is 240 months (“Fixed Rate Advance Term”). However, the term of your Fixed Rate Advance cannot exceed your Repayment Period.

Fixed Rate Advances will be amortized over the Fixed Rate Advance Term with the payment consisting of principal and interest. Your Annual Percentage Rate for a Fixed Rate Advance will be calculated by adding your Prime Rate, your Margin and the Additional Fixed Rate Lock-In Margin. Your Annual Percentage Rate for a Fixed Rate Advance shall not exceed 18% and shall be equal to or greater than 6.750% for primary residences and second homes.

Property Insurance: Property insurance is required.

Multiple PenFed Loans: Multiple PenFed Equity loans and HELOCs are available as long as the member and collateral qualify (except Texas). For Equity loans and HELOCs the total indebtedness cannot exceed $500,000 for all PenFed Equity and HELOCs combined.

PenFed does not lend on:

Mobile homes
Co-ops or time-shares
Properties that are currently listed on the market for sale
Commercial property or property used for commercial purposes, even if a residence is part of the property
Undeveloped property (land only)
Properties with more than 4 units

Properties that are currently under major construction/renovations: Property must be fully livable, with no safety issues. (Examples: no missing rails from stairs/decks, no open walls with wires showing, missing kitchen appliances/counters, missing bath fixtures or unfinished pool).

Additional limitations may apply

Home Equity Line of Credit:

This Account has a Draw Period of 10 years, followed by a repayment period of 20 years.
If only minimum payments are made during the draw period, the loan balance will not decrease.
In Texas, the maximum CLTV available is 80% on owner occupied properties. Additional restrictions apply in Texas, so please ask a representative for details.
In all other states, the maximum CLTV is 85% on owner occupied properties and second homes. Additional restrictions or requirements may apply based on application characteristics.
Property type of Condo has a maximum CLTV of 80%.
The maximum CLTV available is dependent on credit qualification.
Rates vary depending on owner occupancy and CLTV and other loan criteria.

Minimum Loan Amount Requirements in all States:

For an owner occupied property or second home the minimum loan amount is $25,000 and the maximum amount is $500,000 with a CLTV of 85% or less of the fair market value.

Other terms and conditions apply; call 844-918-4307 to speak with a representative for details. All rates and offers are subject to change without notice. To receive advertised product, you must become a member of PenFed.