There’s great potential for Apple’s HomeKit technology. A new survey from Coldwell Banker Real Estate and Parks Associates found that Americans are thinking differently about “move-in ready” homes; they now want it to be “smart ready” too.
According to the survey of 1,250 U.S. adults who have broadband Internet access at home, 71% of Americans want a move-in ready home. However, the poll uncovered an interesting twist. Of the respondents who opted for a move-in ready home, 44% said that smart home technology should already be installed. Another 57% would consider an older home updated if it had smart home technology.
“We have entered a realm where home buyers are demanding smart homes. This is a shift from the previous thinking about what constitutes a move-in ready home. It’s a defining moment for real estate,” says Sean Blankenship, chief marketing officer for Coldwell Banker Real Estate.
Of the 71% who want “move-in ready”:
- 44% agree that a move-in ready home has smart home technology installed.
- 45% agree that a move-in ready home is new construction.
- 74% agree that a move-in ready home has new appliances.
- 83% agree that a move-in ready home has updated kitchen and bathrooms.
- 85% agree that a move-in ready home has updated heating/cooling.
Here’s the demographic breakdown of Americans who would want a smart home:61% of Millennials; 52% of Gen Xers, 50% of Boomers; and 59% percent of parents. More details on the survey can be found here.
What’s more, according to data compiled from over 576,000 Smart Home device and application consumer reviews from January 2015-present, the Amazon Echo and Apple’s HomeKit are on top of consumers’ minds in specifically discussing ecosystems. In its analysis, the research group found that consumers are calling for an Apple-enabled Smart Home, and are frustrated that the Apple HomeKit isn’t compatible with all products.
Consumers are interested in controlling their Smart Home with Apple, but HomeKit will need to continue to play nice with other brands and expand compatibility past iOS devices to compete with Amazon’s Alexa, according to Argus Insights. Apple’s HomeKit is a framework that allows control of compatible home automation devices through iOS and Siri.
