TV mounting, smart home and Wi-Fi in Jersey Shore, NJ

Homes along the Jersey Shore lead a different life than houses inland. Between Long Branch, Asbury Park, Belmar, Manasquan and Point Pleasant, you find year-round homes, condos near the boardwalk, beach cottages that fill up every summer and second homes that sit empty for months. The technology that works best here is tough enough for the salt air and simple enough that a houseful of guests can use it without a manual.

Salt, sand and wind wear down ordinary outdoor equipment quickly. Cameras, speakers and outdoor access points on porches, decks and roof decks should be rated for coastal exposure, with sealed connections and stainless or coated hardware. Many shore homes have been elevated or sit in flood zones, so keep the modem, router and any camera recorder on an upper floor, and add a battery backup so the system rides out short power blips. Outdoor TVs on covered decks should be built for outdoor use, since humid, salty air can ruin an indoor set in a single season. Rinsing outdoor camera lenses now and then also keeps salt film from clouding the picture.

If you rent your place, a few upgrades save a lot of headaches. A separate guest Wi-Fi network keeps renters off the network your cameras and smart devices use. A keypad smart lock lets you set a new code for each booking without handing off keys. Smart TVs set up with simple inputs and a single remote cut down on calls about how to watch something. A small printed card by the TV with the guest network name and basic instructions helps too. If you manage the property from a distance, a camera on the driveway can confirm check-ins and check-outs without recording inside the rental.

For the off-season, remote monitoring is the main concern. Cameras covering doors and driveways, leak sensors near water heaters and washers, and a smart thermostat that warns you about a cold house let you keep an eye on things from home. Whether your shore place is a full-time residence or a summer escape, we set up the system so you can check on it from anywhere.