6 Smart Home Tech Gadgets Perfect for Luxury Real Estate

by Chuck Roper 30. October 2019 06:36

The global smart home tech market is on track to reach $103 billion in annual revenue by the end of this year. At an estimated compound annual growth rate of 11% — that number is projected to skyrocket to $157 billion in annual revenue by 2023. So, how does this tie into luxury real estate? The answer is simple: property value. 


Smart home tech is on the rise and in huge demand with luxury buyers — especially the socially conscious and eco-friendly millennial generation. Adding just a few smart features to a home can pay off when making the sale. In fact, according to Chad Curry, MD of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), a home with integrated smart features can receive a premium over standard alternatives in the same neighborhood. 


Though, there are certain gadgets affluent buyers are more interested in when searching for smart-enabled houses, such as smart security, eco-friendly options, and enhanced entertainment. These tech gadgets go beyond Amazon Alexa or Google Home. 

 

With this in mind, we rounded up six options that are perfect for luxury real estate.


6 Smart Home Tech Gadgets Perfect for Luxury Real Estate

1. Arlo Ultra 

[Image Credit: @arlosmarthome via Instagram]


The Arlo Ultra is a wire-free and WiFi-enabled security camera touting some impressive capabilities. For example, 4K high-dynamic-range (HDR) image quality, enhanced night vision, auto-zoom and tracking, and more. Its weather-resistant build means that it works rain or shine, snow or sleet, to protect the home. It also has a smart subscription service that incorporates things such as advanced object detection (like notifying the owner of a package delivery) and 911 emergency services connections. 

2. Lutron Dimmers 

[Image Credit: Lutron Electronics via Facebook]


Lutron offers a full line of “eco-home dimmers, sensors, and timers,” that can be placed throughout the home to reduce electricity usage and extend the life of the light bulb. Utilizing their advanced technology, the homeowner can control the latest energy-efficient light sources, such as LEDs — making it easier than ever to go green. 

3. Rachio 3

[Image Credit: Rachio via Facebook]


Rachio 3 is a smart sprinkler controller that optimizes a home’s in-ground irrigation system through an automated watering schedule. It’s available in eight or 16 zones, and uses weather intelligence to predict changes in lawn watering needs. It also adjusts its schedule to ensure no water is being wasted. Rachio 3 works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Nest, and more. 

4. Ecobee SmartThermostat With Voice Control

[Image Credit: @ecobeeinc via Instagram]


Ecobee’s SmartThermostat with voice control is the crème de la crème of smart thermostats. Change the temperature, control the home, call friends and family, and more, all with voice command. The SmartThermostat also introduces a SmartSensor, which detects both temperature and occupancy to heat or cool the rooms that need it most.

5. Kaleidescape Strato Movie Player

[Image Credit: @kaleidescapeinc via Instagram]


Kaleidescape Strato is an award-winning movie player that’s capable of playing 4K ultra-high-def movies with high-dynamic-range at 60 frames per second, with immersive audio. It can be integrated with modern AV systems to automatically control light dimming or screen masking to adjust to a proper ratio. Think state-of-the-art home movie theater. 

6. Brilliant Control

[Image Credit: @brilliant_tech via Instagram]


Think of Brilliant Control as an all-in-one smart home hub, where the homeowner can manage all smart home systems from one seamless control panel on the wall, or through a mobile app. It features a 5-inch color touch screen that can change the temperature or lighting, play music, show who’s at the front door, and more. 


What smart home features have you noticed luxury buyers looking for in the market? Comment below!


Janet McAfee is a recognized luxury real estate agency in the St. Louis area. For more details about careers at our boutique firm or the luxury market, visit our website!

Luxury Home Market: 6 Features that Make the Sale

by Chuck Roper 24. July 2019 09:22

The 2019 St. Louis luxury home market is on pace to become the decades best year. In fact, the most recent Luxury Real Estate Report by Luxury Portfolio International (LPI) on what matters most to luxury buyers reveals that residential buying interest among North America’s elite remains high—with 30 percent of affluent buyers considering a purchase in the next three years. When it comes to price, 44 percent say they plan on spending up to $1.49 million.


What is it that takes affluent buyers from consideration to an actual luxury home purchase? We combined our expert knowledge of the luxury real estate market and findings from the LPI report to narrow down the top six features that make the sale. 

1. The Physical Space

When it comes to the most important thing affluent buyers look at when making an investment, it all boils down to the physical space. More specifically, the location (ranked at 53 percent), the community (ranked at 51 percent) and the layout (ranked at 50 percent) of the home. 


[Ellen Kurtz Interiors]


[Janet McAfee Luxury Listing]

2. Traditional and Contemporary Architecture and Style

Traditional and contemporary homes were ranked as the top two styles. Timeless, European-inspired structures bring a classic elegance that buyers can’t resist. Yet soft, neutral elements mesh the new with the old in a contemporary style that also attracts affluent buyers. 


Traditional

[Janet McAfee Luxury Listing]


[Janet McAfee Luxury Listing]


Contemporary

[Janet McAfee Luxury Listing]


         

[Marcia Moore Design, Suzy Gorman Photography]                [Marcia Moore Design]

3. Health and Wellness Rooms  

Luxury buyers are increasingly looking for amenities that allow them to incorporate their health and wellness lifestyles into the home—be it in-home gyms for a quick workout, saunas to sweat out the day’s toxins or biophilic designs for tranquility. The Miami-based Global Wellness Institute found that the number of wellness-oriented properties has grown by 6.4 percent annually since 2015; it’s projected to be a $180 billion industry by 2022. 


[Janet McAfee Luxury Listing]


[S&K Interiors]


[Janet McAfee Luxury Listing]

4. Privacy and Security 

The higher the price, the more privacy the buyers expect. They want to feel safe, comfortable, and secure in their homes without distractions from neighbors. Tree-lined yards, aesthetically pleasing gates and integrated smart security systems are all of value. 


[Luxury Portfolio International Listing by Hilton & Hyland]


[Janet McAfee Luxury Listing]


5. Eco-Friendly Installations 

Green is the new black! Recent innovations have shown that homes can not only be eco-friendly, but also opulent, sleek and desirable. Solar panels to increase passive energy, LED lighting for improved efficiency and sustainably sourced materials to reduce the carbon footprint are all top installations affluent buyers desire. 


[Luxury Portfolio International Listing by Bahamas Realty Limited]


[S&K Interiors]


6. Smart Home Tech 

Smart home tech has seen a tremendous rise over the last few years. According to Business Insider, Millennial buyers especially love being able to control home features like thermostats, lighting and appliances at the touch of their mobile devices. 





Keeping a pulse on market trends and elite buyers’ must-haves allows you to make informed recommendations to the seller on features that will deliver a quick sale. 


What luxury features do your affluent buyers always look for? Comment below!

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