Home technology enticing to 81 percent of homebuyers

​​​GRAPEVINE – Homeowners, by and large, do like their bells and whistles.

Eighty-one percent of homebuyers are more likely to buy a home that includes "smart technology." That was one of the key findings from a GFK Research survey reported at this week’s Sunbelt Builders Show.

"The average homeowner is willing to spend $3,000 on smart technology when building a home," said Gene LaNois with Nest, which manufactures smart home devices.

LaNois and other presenters at the session on smart homes were quick to draw a distinction between smart tech and home automation, noting that they’re not the same thing.

"Smart technology is for the masses," LaNois said. "They’re necessary things, such as doorbells, security systems, and thermostats." (For the record, Nest specializes in two of those three.)

LaNois said items like elaborate home theater systems fall under home automation.

Other findings from the session:

• 18.4 million U.S. homes will install smart technology for the first time in the next two years. (GFK)
• The smart home market is expected to reach $100 billion by 2020, up from $43 billion in 2015. (GFK)
• 50 percent of consumers globally feel smart technology will impact their lives over the next few years. (GFK)
• 53 percent of people interested in smart technology are interested primarily in security and control (thermostat). (GFK)
• The most common reason for not investing in smart technology was "too expensive" (66 percent). (2015 McKinney Connected Home Study)