Recent reports forecast that smart home automation will turn into a $19 trillion industry in the ensuing years, led by Google’s recent $3.2 billion investment of Nest Labs, creators of smart thermostats and smoke detectors (Los Angeles Times).
This is an important fact for real estate professionals to know, because it won’t be long before it becomes commonplace that house hunters are inquiring as to whether or not smart home technology is installed.
A smart broker will learn the lingo now and understand how everything works, because a tech-savvy client may choose another direction if they feel their real estate agency isn’t keeping up with these technological advancements.
Many people are still confused about smart automated systems. Sure, they’ve seen them on TV and perhaps heard some people talking about them on social media sites. Some may even have family members or friends that have already implemented some of these into their home. It’s up to the real estate professional to alleviate their clients’ fears of the systems and become their all-knowing home technology advisor. Homes.com wants to help identify these trends with their smart home technology survey. Enter here to complete the brief, 10-question survey for your chance to win $250!
Growth of Smart Technology
A quick search through Google will show you thousands upon thousands of smart home automation tools and options on the market that range from the very simple to very complex. Something like a programmable thermostat is considered smart technology, with options to activate it from your mobile or tablet device.
In fact, the ability to connect to a central system is the key to a successful smart home. This means that you would be able to control all the home’s systems and appliances through a click of a button.
Today’s automated systems can control all sorts of things in the home—HVACs, appliances, lights, locks, electronics and the security system—and it can all be done through apps on a phone or tablet.
Even if you are away from the home, you can call in and lock the doors, shut the blinds, turn on the dishwasher, dim the lights at night, record your favorite TV show, turn on your sprinkler system or control the temperature of the heating and air conditioning. Inside the home, control panels or your computer can allow you to do these same things and impress your guests.
More advanced smart homes may have security systems complete with cameras, motion sensors and a link to the local police station or a security company. New security automated systems are also now offering key cards and/or fingerprint identification in place of conventional locks, making it harder for someone to break in.
