Buyers are showing more interest in technological home features, with 46 percent of new and prospective homeowners saying, for example, that they want a security camera on the premises, according to the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) latest annual survey, What Home Buyers Really Want.
Three of the top four most-wanted tech features relate to security, with surveillance cameras leading the pack, the survey found. Buyers also reported high interest in video doorbells and wireless home security systems.
For many buyers, a smart home is an upgrade. The survey found that about 21 percent are leaving a home with smart features they don’t want to give up, but about 40 percent of buyers want their next home to be smart, “indicating that there is a market growth potential for these items,” the NAHB notes on its blog, Eye on Housing.
Most-desired home technology features
- Security cameras: 21% currently have one; 46% want them in a new home
- Video doorbell: 12% currently have one; 45% want one in a new home
- Programmable thermostat: 41% currently have one; 44% want one in a new home
- Wireless home security system: 18% currently have one; 40% want one in a new home
- Multi-zone HAVC system: 11% currently have one; 39% want one in a new home
- Lighting control system: 14% currently have one; 36% want one in a new home
- Wireless home audio system: 12% currently have one; 33% want one in a new home
- Central vacuum system: 10% currently have one; 33% want one in a new home
- Energy management system: 6% currently have one; 31% want one in a new home
- Smart washer/dryer (controlled remotely): 8% currently have one; 31% want one in a new home
Source: “Top Home Technology Features,” National Association of Home Builders’ Eye on Housing blog (May 2, 2019)