With the current real estate bubble bursting homeowners are eager to find a way to move their home faster. Home automation is a proven way to stimulate the interest of potential buyers, in many cases reducing the number of days or weeks a home remains on the market. I was surprised to find out that less than 1% of homeowners in this country have the technology in their home to make selling easier.
Surprisingly this technology remains a niche usually reserved for high-end new homes. I think that the reason behind this statistic is the large investment required in a complete home automation package. The cost can be prohibitive, that is why I came up with new, more modular solutions. I can offer two automation solutions based common internet technologies (TCPIP) using the home’s data network for communications.
Utilizing these systems I have developed a way that homeowners and builders alike can invest a small amount into their home to promote a big return. I would suggest that homeowners and builders need to start with a solid technological foundation of wiring.
For many years high-end homes have had structured wiring installed. Structured wiring is a planned wiring method by which all services (phone, data, television, music, and security) originate from a central location or hub. Structured wiring is still an extremely desirable feature; however, one facet of the structured wiring methodology is beginning to overshadow the others in its overall importance. As the technologic world moves toward online programming and distribution of media (streaming media), so does the automation market. The data network is becoming the most critical and resalable components of the home. Investing the time to design a solid wiring backbone for a home can increase the attractiveness of your home to a prospective buyer. This strategy helps both the homeowner and the builder make their homes stand out from the crowd.
If you start with a foundation of structured wiring and a solid data network backbone this makes your home easily upgradeable. I feel that home automation is obviously the wave of the future and this plan enables the homeowner of today to start small and upgrade in affordable pieces. After the foundation is laid you can then decide at a later date what type of systems you desire, such as home security. All you need to decide is how big of a system you need. All systems run through you new upgradeable home, therefore, you can keep it simple or the sky is the limit.
You build the system to fit your needs and to make your life easier, the technology itself makes your home more profitable and easier to sell
