CEA Study Finds Most Realtors Believe Installed Home Technologies Will Play an Important Role in Home Sales Within Five Years

Aug. 15, 2011
A new survey from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) found that interest among Realtors and their clients for home technology is high

Most realtors have encountered homes with installed technologies. In fact, in the past 24 months 9 in 10 realtors have been involved in buying, selling, or showing of a home with technology ranging from more established systems such as monitored security (93%) and home theater pre-wire/system (89%) to newer technologies like home automation/management systems (54%) and energy management systems (51%).

Realtors are not just encountering home technologies, but over half of the realtors report they are excited by these homes and believe their clients’ enthusiasm for technology mirrors their own with almost two-thirds of Realtors stating their clients are excited to see technologies in homes.

The survey of 1,793 Realtors who were members of the National Association of Realtors in April, sought to understand realtors’ experiences with homes which have installed technologies and their perception of the technology.

There is a strong relationship between home technologies and the real estate market. While the market needs to recover before home technologies play a more important role in home sales,” stated Rhonda Daniel, “The industry can help prepare realtors to be comfortable in discussing these types of systems with their clients. The ideal goal for CE industry is to have knowledgeable realtors who are excited and open to promoting technology as a selling feature of homes.”

Half of realtors expressed interest in learning more about installed home technologies. While the market needs to recover before technologies play a more important role in home sales, efforts should begin to educate realtors.
According to Daniel, “Manufacturers and electronic systems contractors (ESCs) 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.

The study, "Realtors and Home Technologies,"was designed and formulated by CEA Market Research, the most comprehensive source of sales data, forecasts, consumer research, and historical trends for the consumer electronics industry. Please cite any information to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). The complete study is available free to CEA member companies at members.CE.org. Non-members may purchase the study at the CEA Store.

Find CEA online at http://lists.ce.org/t/4649111/19683190/24891/0/ and www.Innovation-Movement.com.

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