Convenience is a primary reason why consumers today choose one product over another. Throw in control and the likelihood of a sale doubles. That said, imagine if you as the builder can pitch a new home by adding to your marketing materials unique features like, "Your children are in bed, getting to sleep with the lights on and as they dose off into dreamland, the lights turn off as well. If they awake, hallway lighting makes it easier for them to reach the bathroom and get back to bed," or "Leaving on vacation? Set the alarm, the lights and the thermostat, so not only is your home safe it is programmed 'green' as well."

These are just two of the many innovative ways a fully integrated control solution will make a home a fun, exciting and convenient place to live, work and play. It is a value add builders should be taking advantage of. In fact, solutions exist today for both the 'techie' and the beginner.

A new technology-oriented solution from Home Automation, Inc. (HAI) puts the control solution literally in the hand of the homeowner. In fact, a homeowner's cell phone. HAI, a leading manufacturer of integrated automation and security products since 1985, launched a cell phone (Smartphone) version of its award-winning Snap-Link software, called Snap-Link Mobile, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas the first week in January. Snap-Link Mobile allows the homeowner to monitor and control lights, security, audio, temperatures, and Web cams on handheld mobile devices, such as PDAs, Smartphones, or other devices running Windows Mobile operating software. It is designed specifically for a mobile device with a Touchscreen, navigation key, or scroll wheel. Simply click on the HAI logo that appears on the phone/PDA and the homeowner will have instant access to their Snap-Link home control page. From there the homeowner can:

• Conveniently control individual lights, turn off all lights in the home or room, dim lights or adjust preset lighting scenes.

• View real time video of surveillance cameras -- see the front door, pool, boat dock, etc. (requires appropriate cellular provider plan and cameras.).

• Conserve energy by adjusting heating and cooling and view humidity and outdoor temperatures.

• Arm or disarm the alarm, view a security log to monitor activity of housekeepers, nannies, etc.

• Control a Whole Home Audio system. Select music source and adjust volume levels in individual rooms or the whole house.

For those consumers not yet ready for a high-tech approach, builders can look to the Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA^TM) for the answer. MOCA taps into the vast amounts of unused bandwidth available on the in-home coax without the need for new connections, wiring, point of entry devices or truck rolls. The technology allows homeowners to utilize this infrastructure as a networking system and to deliver other entertainment and information programming. MoCA technology provides the backbone for whole home entertainment networks of multiple wired and wireless products.

"Service providers are always looking for better methods of bandwidth management for premium services and content," said Dr. Anton Monk, MoCA CTO. "They recognize the compelling value of converged services such as premium content, personal content, and the desire for internet-based services. All of these services need to coexist on a single in-home network but there is a real need to protect and guarantee the bandwidth for the premium/pay services in order to ensure the Quality of Experience expected by the consumer.

"This extension has immediate benefits for end-consumers as well, as they can accessorize the network with other MoCA certified devices and continue to access content anytime and anywhere without disruption and without any reconfiguration of their network," added Dr. Monk.

If builders are wondering if there is a market for these types of service offerings, they should look at the recent announcement that consumer electronics products generated $48.1 billion in fourth quarter sales, according to research from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®.

"While overall holiday spending will increase, we found consumers are cutting back on decorations, home purchases and travel, but not gifts, especially electronics. The average CE gift giver will spend $358 on those gifts this season," said CEA Economist Shawn DuBravac. "Consumers want to connect with others, create additional content, be more flexible and enhance the products they already have."

Giving consumer's convenience, coupled with control, is a win-win for any service provider. These control systems are here to stay and are a value-add builders should be taking advantage of.

[Note: Snap-Link Mobile will be shipping before the end of first quarter 2008. For more information regarding Snap-Link Mobile or other HAI products, please visit homeauto.com.]

Published: January 7, 2008

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Peter L. Mosca is president and founder of BAK Communications, Inc. He has over 22 years of communications and media consulting experience, serving a variety of nonprofit organizations, including the CCIM Institute and the REALTOR Association on all three levels – national, state and local. He is the Spokesperson Trainer for the CCIM's Jay Levine Academy and trains hundreds of residential REALTORS nationwide to be effective industry spokespeople. He is consistently ranked as "excellent" by about 90% of those who attend his presentations. While his principal consulting focuses are public speaking and media relations development and content delivery and management, Peter is also the host of the Voice America Network's weekly radio program, "Income Property Investment Talk," a one-hour program that brings the powerhouses of commercial and residential real estate to property investors every Wednesday at 11 a.m. EST. Peter is married 17 years to his wife Barbara. They have two children: Ashley, 15 and Kelli, 12. Hence, the name BAK Communications, Inc.