In a piece recently featured in Modern Home Builder Magazine, iDevices President Chris Allen elaborated on smart home products as cost-effective options for homeowners looking to increase their home's value, and highlighted how smart home products offer residential builders an easy way to stand out in a competitive market. 

"The popularity and normalcy of connected technology in the home has vastly increased in recent years," Allen wrote. "With advancements in technology, smart home products are now sought after in the residential home space, including single-family homeowners, renters, multi-family landlord and management companies."

Allen cited research from the National Association of Home Builders, which shows new construction is expected to rise sharply in 2018 and 2019. The association found that installing smart home technology can help homeowners boost the closing price of their home by 3 to 5 percent. Homebuilders vying to compete in a growing market must embrace smart home technology as a cost-effective way to increase value, Allen noted. 

"If a buyer is considering two homes - one with the latest in connected technology already integrated and one without, the choice is easy," he wrote. 

There are plenty of smart home options on the market, meaning there is much to be considered by homebuilders, developers, integrators and installers if they want to grow in a competitive market and continue to provide value to customers, Allen stated. Homebuilders and developers wondering how to to start their smart home journey can look to plug-and-play options in completed builds already on the market, according to Allen. Plug-and-play products such as the iDevices Switch, Outdoor Switch and Socket are great tools to offer homebuyers who are interested in quickly connecting their home. These products can quickly automate any home's lighting and electronics, and they don't necessitate wiring or construction. 

In-wall products such as the iDevices Dimmer Switch, Wall Switch, Wall Outlet and Thermostat can be integrated in new home builds or retrofitted into older homes. They can be controlled together with plug-and-play products via the iDevices Connected app. 

"The best smart home products can be retrofitted in older homes by simply replacing existing light switches and wall outlets with smart in-wall products," Allen wrote. 

Creating a smart home from scratch is easy for homebuilders and owners with "universal, scalable smart home products... ," Allen noted. He highlighted several prominent national homebuilders who have already embraced smart home technology, such as Meritage Homes®, Lennar® and KB Home. 

"Besides offering the latest in connected technology, the right provider must offer high-quality products that are built to last," Allen wrote. "The provider must also be an innovator and influencer working to improve current technology and roll out transformational products that are both flexible and reliable. After builders install connected technology in a home, they shouldn't have to worry about it again."

To read the entire article, featured on page 39, 40 and 41 of Modern Home Builder's winter 2018 edition, click here.