In the age of technology, everybody wants to get their hands on the latest tech. So how are today’s homebuilders keeping up? By including smart tech in their new homes as soon as they hit the market.
In today’s rapidly advancing digital age, smart technology has revolutionized the way we live, and new homes are no exception. For prospective homebuyers, the integration of smart technology into new homes offers a multitude of benefits, from convenience and efficiency to enhanced security and energy savings. Here, we explore some of the cutting-edge smart technologies that are becoming standard in new homes today.
Today, it’s not uncommon to visit a builder and find the following tech in their model homes or sales centers:
- High performance energy-efficiency systems that work via Wi-Fi,
- Total home control through a centralized technological hub and
- Virtual reality tours of homes that haven’t even been built yet.
That’s right, new homes now give you the ability to cut energy costs and control things like your door locks, lighting, thermostats and more with the tap of a finger. Here’s what today’s builders have to say about these smart home features:
Smart Performance
For Raleigh, N.C.-area builder Homes by Dickerson, a smart home is defined not just by its technology, but by its performance as well.
“In our designs, we try to include technology that adds value to the customer,” says Brant Chesson, president at Homes by Dickerson.
Which is why they offer Wi-Fi-enabled HVAC systems that have the capability of sensing the weather outside to control airflow inside the home.
“We build homes that are very tight,” explains Chesson. “Through a Wi-Fi-enabled system, we are able to mechanically control the air that goes in and out of the homes so that on a rainy day, for instance, the thermostat communicates with real-time weather reports to decide not to let the day’s humid air inside the home.”
It’s innovations such as these that led HGTV to choose Homes by Dickerson to build their annual HGTV Smart Home.
“They believe like we do that smart technology is not just audio and visual, but it also depends on the performance of the home,” Chesson says. “We were going to be able to integrate all of these things.”
Homes by Dickerson included some of the following technologies in the HGTV Smart Home:
- A hidden mirror TV in the master bathroom
- A vertical spa system
- Remote-controlled skylights
- Automatic window shades
- Clare Controls mood system
- Smart locks and garage door
Centralized Controls
One of the most significant advantages of smart technology in new homes is the integration of centralized controls. These systems bring all of a home’s smart devices under one roof, allowing homeowners to manage them effortlessly through a single interface.
Smart hubs include devices like Amazon Echo, Google Nest Hub, and Apple HomeKit. These smart hubs serve as the brain of the home, enabling voice commands and automation.
Unified management allows everything from lighting and thermostats to security cameras and entertainment systems to be managed from a centralized control. This allows you to enjoy a seamless way to manage various aspects of the home.
Customization is one of the key components of this technology. Homeowners can create customized routines and schedules, such as setting the thermostat to lower temperatures at night or turning off all lights with a single command. Imagine being able to close the garage door, view the security cameras, or lock your front door with a click on a tablet or phone.
K. Hovnanian Homes also offers smart tech solutions in some of its Chicago-area communities.
“We decided to include home automation, because eventually it will be the new norm in home construction,” says Greg Heinrich, marketing manager with K. Hovnanian Homes.
To complement this, K. Hovnanian offers a smart technology throughout the home to automate lighting, home audio, security, and thermostats.
“The great thing about this home automation system is that our homeowners can start with a basic package and add on to it years down the road,” adds Heinrich.
Virtual Reality Tours
While homebuilder Brookfield Residential SoCal also offers smart technology in its new homes — like Apple’s HomeKit — it also offers a smart tech experience before you even step foot in a new home.
“The homebuying process typically involves heavy online searches and in-person visits,” says Rachel Peyton, marketing director for Brookfield Residential. “So we thought, what’s next?”
So, Brookfield Residential launched virtual reality tours in its Rancho Tesoro community in San Marcos, Calif., which allows homebuyers to tour new homes that haven’t yet been built through virtual reality, or VR, headsets.
“By harnessing the power of VR, we hope to build excitement about the community and allow home shoppers to save time by previewing home layouts and features in advance,” says Peyton.
Through virtual reality experiences like these, homebuilders can help prospective buyers “walk” through a home in 365 degrees, preview finish selections and view furniture layouts.
The home buying process can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to touring multiple properties. Fortunately, virtual tours have transformed the way we explore homes. Using 3D imaging and virtual reality (VR) technology, potential buyers can now take immersive tours of homes from the comfort of their current residence.
Virtual tours save time and effort by allowing buyers to narrow down their options before scheduling in-person visits.
High-resolution 3D models provide a comprehensive view of the property, including every nook and cranny, giving a realistic sense of space and layout.
24/7 Access means buyers can explore homes at any time, making it easier to fit house hunting into their busy schedules.
With technology, life in a new home will be enhanced. Welcome to the future!
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