10 Tech Trends in Custom Homes

In a recent article in Custom Builder magazine (http://www.housingzone.com/custombuilder/article/CA6427458.html?nid=2822&rid=518017844) , 10 technology trends for custom homes were featured. Utz Baldwin, a speaker at the 2006 Custom Builders Symposium, and other technology experts offered the list of what the latest tech trends are in custom building.

The first on the list is the Home Theater / Media System. The article says that at a minimum upscale buyers are demanding a family room with a projection television and a full surround sound system. Others have gone hog-wild and put in home theaters costing $1 million – minus the furnishing and decorating.

The other items on the list of tech trends are:

2. Home Health Care Products and Installation – big business as the Boomers age.

3. Media Center Computer – allowing users to run the gamut from web surfing to watching movies or television all on their computer. The newest software programs offer full entertainment capabilities at a much lower cost than ever before.

4. Lighting and Automation – a number 1 buyer request, giving homeowners simple controls all on one system for lights, televisions, CDs, satellite radio and HVAC, with touch pads strategically located in 3 or 4 key locations in the home and thus replacing as many as 15 switches.

5. Microdisplay-based televisions – technology that packs in the pixels to produce sharp pictures at any size, even the 108-inch flat panel TV introduced at the recent International Consumer Electronics Show.

6. Security systems – with micro-video camera technology homeowners are putting security cameras just about anywhere, with surveillance being capable from in-house monitors or even over the internet with online video feeds.

7. Media servers – centralized computer drives that hold a complete media and entertainment library and can be accessed from any computer or hooked-up entertainment device in the house.

8. i-Pod revolution – with about 14 million iPods being sold in the 4th quarter of 2005 alone, docking stations that connect the iPod to the home's audio system are becoming *must have* items for today's home.

9. Multi-zone music systems – to keep Big Band music lovers and Hip Hop aficionados both happy, this feature gives the ability to listen to different music in different rooms.

10. Gaming rooms – a new take on the home arcade, today's gaming room is outfitted with the latest game system. And the near future will bring big comfy swiveling chairs and multi-connected devices, adding to the game playing experience.

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