Most people think Zillow’s Zestimate is the best way to value a home. The truth is, it’s not.
7 clever uses for your smart doorbell camera

Smart doorbell cameras add a ton of value to your life. Not only do they make you feel more secure in your home, but they can deter criminals, too. If you let a burglar know you’re watching them, they may be too spooked to try anything.
Plus, you can watch over your loved ones and make sure there’s nothing dangerous at home. Whether you’re looking after an elderly family member, a child or even a pet, a doorbell camera takes the guesswork out of caregiving.
Smart doorbell cameras come with many uses you might not even know about. We found seven valuable ways to make the most of this essential security tech presented by our sponsor, SimpliSafe. Read to the end for a great deal on a home security system you can install in under an hour.
1. Stop porch pirates
We’re all getting more delivered right to our homes than ever before. Sadly, that means package theft is a more compelling option for thieves. With so much to choose from, they can have a field day quickly popping by to take what’s yours.
2. See who comes and goes
Potential burglars love to cruise by houses to get an idea of your schedule. That way, they know when you’re gone, which is the perfect time for them to strike. A smart doorbell camera keeps track of suspicious characters walking near your home and peeking through the window.
Other burglars will be less obvious. They’ll stay in their car, lingering outside your home. You’ll notice familiar faces on your live feed thanks to your video doorbell.
3. Answer the door from anywhere
Video doorbells have live video and two-way audio. This means you don’t have to go to your door to answer it, which lets you keep track of anyone who swings by. Plus, it minimizes contact.
4. Keep an eye on your pets
Does your pet like to spend time on the porch? Keep an eye on Fido through your video doorbell’s connected app.
Comparison: SimpliSafe vs. ADT vs. Vivint

This is pretty cool. We wanted to do a visual comparison to show you how SimpliSafe is the better choice for home security, so we decided to look at two big-name competitors — ADT and Vivint.
You never know what’s going to happen when you compare a sponsor to its competitors, but we were thrilled with what we found.
The Zillow problem
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$600
Is the amount your home’s value will decrease if you have a white kitchen. Instead, today’s buyers want to see dark gray tones such as charcoal and graphite. But a blue bathroom will increase the purchase price by $5,440, per Zillow.
3.7 cents
Cost to mint a penny. President Trump just told the Treasury to call it quits. The government lost $85 million producing pennies over the last fiscal year at almost four times their face value (paywall link). This makes cents.
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