Is your house enabled for the very fast approaching tech world

Are your home renovations going to be able to reap the benefits of a seemingly avalanche of new technology that is starting to roll down the line and around the corner."

The potential impact of the speedy advancement of technology is going to have an increasing impact on buying decisions when purchasing residential property. So much so that the face and pace of South African home design, construction and maintenance is changing faster today than ever before.

Even newly built, or fully renovated, houses can now easily, and rapidly, become outdated as new inventions, designs, materials and finishes continue to roll out.

Design features and finishes outdate quickly

Irrespective of whether they are the latest type of security blind, the smartest LED light fitting, or even a particular organic product (such as a bamboo-based floor etc), they are soon improved upon and become outdated faster than before

The reality is that creativity has now become endless on the homes front. It is in perpetual motion. And technology is driving it - by way of easy access to information that is now effectively at everybody's fingertips.

Homeowners need to take that into account when renovating their properties.

Furthermore, they should avoid spending to the maximum on materials and finishes. Why? Because, within two to four years, there will be new products that will far exceed those that were regarded as the most expensive - and the best - at the time of the renovation.

In fact, it is quite amazing just how much cheaper top notch security systems are these days as a result of the rapid advancement of technology.

Convenience platforms

Against that background, homeowners who are planning to renovate should bear in mind that, within the next three to five years, more and more home appliances and systems will be run by online 'convenience' platforms.

They will drive lighting, security, heating, refrigeration, cooking, cleaning, entertainment, and even certain routines, such as feeding of pets, watering gardens, pool maintenance, certain child care chores, transport arrangements, and connectivity to family and friends.

This all comes together as a process that requires that your home is geared not only to see the future but enabled to cope with and accomodate it as well.

The reality is that the future is arriving very fast. And it adds a whole new dimension to the process of choosing and buying a home.

A giant leap

It is quite understandable that many homeowners - both existing and aspirant - may well feel overwhelmed by the prospect of this, clearly must-do, giant leap into modern-day technology - and the speed at which it has become necessary.

My advice to them is to include amongst the plumbers, carpenters, painters and bricklayers a tech guru. So that he may advise on how to prepare your home for what is coming.