Pelican Parts Forums - New home! Now about that home automation...

Alright, so I thought I was pretty good with home automation. At least I thought, since I had 5 Anker light bulbs connected at my old place. I couldn't have been been more wrong.

The previous homeowner was clearly a step a head and left behind a lot of stuff. Now this was a project that I had been dreaming of achieving over the next year, but I want to try and get it done while I am home. I am not home often (rig life) and want to make sure it is seamless for my s.o.

I honestly do not know where to start. So I'll go through what I own first. For example - I am deeply situated in the Anker and Alexa environment. My previous house was already on a schedule. Wake up at 530 am... Lights came on... News started being played... Ten minute reminder on time.. yada yada.

New house: Trane digital thermostats (3 zones) which run on nexia, 5 lorex cameras with 1tb (server?) that records?, 3 schlage deadbolts, about 15 Phillips hue lightbulbs that are spread throughout the house, and a nest ring

I own a Amazon show that is my main 'hub' but as I am delving more into the new house it seems that this isn't good enough. I'd hate to buy a new hub or bridge but it seems I need something that is a go between. Since at this point I am already ahead of the game financially I do not mind spending a little bit of money to make it work. I just do not want to buy frivolous things when one item can do it all.

***Previous owner is cool*** I understand the security concerns, and he has completely removed himself from the network. Nothing can be accessed from the outside.

So what the hell would you purchase? I want a hub that can control EVERYTHING, or at least 90%. The Anker stuff is good, but when I found out he left that many hue bulbs, I knew I had to step up my game. I would love one or two apps that can do all, but really if I can do everything with less than 5 I'm good.