Buyers and renters will pay more for smart homes, says Samsung

Almost eight in ten people (79%) want a smart home and will pay a premium to get one, according to new data from tech giant Samsung. The figures, from its latest Smart Home Buyers Index, indicate that buyers would pay 7.7% more for a property with the right technology.

According to the survey, most people were looking to smart technology to cut energy bills (84%) with 70% hoping for better energy efficiency. The results were supported by analysis of internet search volumes by Samsung, which show big increases in searches for green technology such as smart appliances and air source heat pumps.

Home security was also a big factor in people’s preferences with 75% of those surveyed wanting the reassurance of features such as smart doorbells or security cameras.

But the index revealed that an interest in home tech was not limited to young people. The data showed an increase in the number of people aged over 65 wanting the benefits that come with smart homes.

Mark Seaman, of Samsung said: “Through providing insights such as this, Samsung can help ensure the industry is keeping pace with changing consumer demands. The data shows that understanding the importance consumers place on smart homes will increase the value of rental and sale prices to help drive return on investment for homebuilders and developers.”

He added: “With 61% of our survey respondents saying they expect AI to become more important to them in the coming years, even if they’re not using it now, it’s clear today’s consumers are increasingly aware of its potential.”

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