Interest in installed home technologies among realtors and their house-hunting clients is high, according to a survey by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). Almost two-thirds of realtors report that their clients are excited to see technologies in homes, and more than half of realtors themselves share that enthusiasm.

Most realtors report having encountered homes on the market with installed technologies. In fact, in the past 24 months, nine in 10 realtors have been involved in buying, selling or showing a home with technology ranging from more established systems such as monitored security (71 percent) and home theater pre-wired/systems (64 percent) to newer technologies like home automation/management systems (12 percent) and energy management systems (16 percent). As realtors’ exposure to home technology grows, it’s not surprising that half of realtors expressed interest in learning more about installed home technologies.

Most realtors (68 percent) believe home technologies will play a more important role in the success of home sales within five years. Whether those realtors are involved in new construction or previously owned homes, this number is a strong indicator of when realtors believe the real estate market will fully rebound.

“There is a strong relationship between home technologies and the real estate market,” says Rhonda Daniel, manager of research at CEA. “While the market needs to recover before home technologies play a more important role in home sales, our industry can help prepare realtors to discuss these types of systems with their clients. The ideal goal for the consumer electronics industry is to have knowledgeable realtors who are excited and open to promoting technology as selling features of homes.”

A Realtor’s Role in Encouraging Home Systems

Most realtors recognize the attraction of a variety of home systems.

71 percent       -Handled a home with monitored security

64 percent       -Handled a home with home theater pre-wired

16 percent       -Handled a home with an energy management system

12 percent       -Handled a home with a home automation management system

Source: Consumer Electronics Association

There is a need to better educate realtors on the types and advantages of electronic home systems.

Daniel suggests, “Manufacturers and electronic systems contractors should be laying the ground work now to take advantage of the eventual upswing in the real estate market. Educating realtors on the benefits, value and functionalities of installed technologies now will demonstrate that the CE industry can be a trusted partner to equip them with the knowledge they are lacking.”