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Why it’s no longer luxury if it’s not ‘smart’


Why it’s no longer luxury if it’s not ‘smart’

How high-tech features are now expected in today’s top-end US homes

Alexander Kirch/Shutterstock_
Alexander Kirch/Shutterstock

A recent study has shown that home technology is increasingly important to buyers.

The Smart Home Marketplace Survey from Coldwell Banker, cites 2020 as the benchmark for when smart homes will be firmly in the mainstream, however, their research showed that 71 percent of US adults are already seeking a “move-in ready” home. 44 percent of this group believe a move-in ready home should come with smart home technology installed.

Most Americans view a home as “smart” if it includes smart security, temperature, lighting and safety.
More than three quarters of those questioned felt that having just one category of smart technology in your home isn’t enough for it to be considered smart, with at least three elements of technology needed to fit this criterion.

More: 3 practical apps for the smart homeowner

Luxury buyers have a more marked predilection towards smart home properties than general house hunters. As Miami-beach based Danny Hertzberg told Mansion Global, it’s a red flag for his clients if smart home tech is not included.

“In the luxury segment it’s not like an added feature” he said, “It’s an expected feature—especially with turn key homes.

“When somebody is going to look at a property, and it’s a brand new home and it’s at a multi-million dollar price point, if it doesn’t have smart home technology, they’re going to wonder ‘Why did they cut that corner?’”

The study showed that 54 percent would opt for a property with smart technology over one without, even if all other aspects were equal.

With this technology on the rise, we can only expect these numbers to increase.

Read next: Why more young Singaporeans are choosing to live in smart homes

Source: Property Report