For people who are looking for a modern home, condominiums are often the favorite residential option. After all, condos are often located in highly urbanized areas, they come with modern amenities, and because of their sizes, condos can easily be renovated to convert it into smart condominiums.
Technology in the real estate industry is going to be the norm especially with the continuous development and production of home devices that provide a new level of comfort. If you own a condominium and you are leasing it to earn an income, converting your unit into a smart home will surely attract more renters to your unit, especially renters who are adept in using home technology devices such as modern families, and even retirees who want more ease in their modern living experience.
Of course, as someone who has ventured into the real estate industry, you probably know that adding home technology devices to your condo will cost several thousands of pesos. But if money is no problem, you might be a bit hasty to undergo smart condominium innovations because you are not that technologically inclined.
Transforming your DMCI Homes condo property leasing into a smart home can be a slow but fulfilling process. And as you see how home devices provide solutions to your everyday home tasks, the more you will appreciate adapting technology in the real estate industry.
The Advantages of Leasing a DMCI Homes Smart Condominium
If you own a condo unit in DMCI, the easier it is to convert your unit into a modern home that adapts to the latest real estate trends. DMCI Homes condo complexes are known for its Lumiventt Technology. This engineering feature combines lumen (meaning light) and ventus (meaning wind) allowing natural light and fresh air to diffuse through the building and its units. This is made possible by sky patios, breezeways, vents, and high openings on the buildings working together in creating cross-ventilation.
Aside from this engineering feat, another way DMCI Homes incorporates real estate technology in their condo communities is the new community app for each property. With a few clicks on your smartphone, residents and even renters can view their statement of accounts and online payments for selected communities, and process their gate pass and work permits.
Residents are also informed of all the announcements, advisories, and other notifications such as community activities released by their respective Property Management Offices (PMOs).
Tips, Tricks, and Perks of Transforming Your Leasing Unit into a Smart Home
Without a doubt, DMCI Homes is one of the most ideal condo projects you can invest in if you want to live in a smart community and transform your unit with smart condominium innovations.
Here are some technology trends and innovations that you can do to make your leasing unit into an attractive, smart home as well as the benefits of making the transformation:
- High-speed internet access
- Touchless automation
- Universal remote control
- Device alerts and smart sensors
- Voice assistants
- Smart lights
- Smart plugs
- Guest access with smart locks
- Video doorbell
- Smart home camera
- Increase property values
- The VIP treatment
To find out more about each item, read on.
1. High-speed internet access
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In this highly digitalized world coupled with work-from-home setup and online schooling, a home with high-speed internet access allows everyone to live conveniently. Based on statistics, since 2019, there’s at least a 2% increase in the number of internet users in the Philippines. By 2026, it is predicted that the percentage will reach up to 77.44% from the 72.7% in 2020 data.
Internet access will be one of the sought-after amenities that renters will look for in a smart home. That is why it is best to invest in a fast and reliable internet provider in your condo unit.
2. Touchless automation
To help avoid acquiring and spreading the COVID-19 virus, it is recommended to frequently disinfect and if possible, refrain from touching frequently-touched surfaces such as doorknobs, toilet flush, faucets, and remote controls.
If you want your renters to experience hands-free living, you can opt to purchase home items such as faucets and toilets with smart sensors and voice activation. Having home devices such as Google Home, Amazon Echo, and Apple HomePod are also very helpful. You can just order these devices to do things for you such as opening the TV or the lights.
3. Universal remote control
Today, you can do a lot of things with a smartphone, and now, you can also control your home with your smartphone or tablet. When you convert your unit into a smart home, you avoid sharing or touching a single controller, therefore limiting the transmission of viruses among members of the family.
You can purchase a universal remote control and connect it with your smartphone and other smart appliances at home, then operate them using your phone. Some of the devices you can control using a universal remote control include television, robot vacuums, and air purifiers.
4. Device alerts and smart sensors
Smart sensors are the eyes and ears of a smart home system and sensors are usually part of the real estate tech that homeowners invest in when transforming their home into a smart one.
Smart sensors can detect the motion inside and outside a condo. Once they sense movement indoors, they can correct the indoor temperature to make the ambiance more comfortable. They can also automatically turn off or on the lights in a specific room if it's vacant or not.
You can also add sensors for smoke detection and you can link your sensor to your smartphone so it can alert you if you are out. If possible, you can also authorize another number to be alerted when smoke is detected in your home. That way, fires, and other accidents can be prevented.
5. Voice assistants
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AI speakers don’t just play music for you, they also have built-in voice assistants that help your living environment be more convenient and comfortable. Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri are just some of the voice assistants these smart speakers have.
Having voice assistants allows you to control different smart plugs, video doorbells, home security cameras, to name a few, through voice operation. This is especially helpful for retirees and people with disabilities who may have difficulty in mobility.
6. Smart lights
What makes smart lights smart? Well, unlike ordinary lights, smart lights allow you to turn your lights on, off, or dim them from your smartphone or voice command. You can also create lighting schedules to help you wake up or sleep comfortably at night. Moreover, if you set your smart light with a specific schedule, you can also conserve energy at home.
There are plenty of affordable smart lights in the market. Once you have enough, you can replace your traditional light bulbs at home. Afterward, an internet-connected hub connects all of these smart lights and allows you to control them from your phone or other smart devices.
7. Smart plugs
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Smart plugs allow you to automate your wired devices and appliances at home. Just plug it into an outlet and connect it to your WiFi network.
Afterward, plug in an appliance you want to control from your phone or home hub devices such as fans, coffee makers, washing machine, and air conditioning units.
8. Guest access with smart locks
What if family and friends come over and you are not yet at home? It would be embarrassing for the condo owner to allow their guests and relatives to wait outside the door.
On the other hand, it is also very inconvenient if they have to leave work and rush home just to open the doors for their guests. To avoid this dilemma, you can opt to invest in a keyless lock and give your trusted relatives access to your home key code instead of distributing mechanical keys to everyone.
You can also invest in a smart home lock that you can remotely access. Other smart locks also allow you to assign and revoke virtual keys to anyone, including your trusted neighbors, housekeepers, and dog walkers. You can also connect it to Siri, Alexa or Google Assistant.
9. Video doorbell
Aside from convenience, a smart home is a safe home. Video doorbells come in different sizes and can fit conveniently even in a modestly sized condo unit.
With a video doorbell, residents can see and talk to people outside their doors without the need to open their unit. This is also helpful when those who knock are delivery personnel or strangers you are not expecting.
10. Smart home camera
Smart cameras allow residents to monitor their homes remotely. That way, residents can see how the other members of the family, house help, and pets are doing during their absence. These smart home cameras often give a 360-degree view of the entire home or living space and residents can use their smartphones to control these cameras.
Now that you are familiar with what home technology devices you can invest in, here are some of the perks you and your renters will gain when you convert your condo into a smart home:
11. Increase property values
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With all the home technology devices you invest in your leasing condo, you can increase your rental fee due to the convenience your home now offers to potential residents. Because smart homes are here to stay, you can be assured that there will be a high demand in the market for a smart condo property such as the one you own.
12. The VIP treatment
A landlord’s goal is not only to provide a condo house to renters, but a comfortable, living home. If you transform your unit into a smart home, your renters will surely feel like VIPs and they will be more inclined to pay more for the convenience they are experiencing. In time, should you plan to live in your smart condo, you too will feel like a VIP.
Key takeaways
Technology is going to be a permanent part of the real estate industry. That is why, as early as now, it will be best to keep up with real estate technology trends and invest in home devices that provide practical solutions to everyday tasks at home.
It may cost you some money now, but once your renters see the extra mile you did to make their modern living experience more exciting and comfortable, they will be willing to pay you. In due time, you will earn back the investment you shelled out in transforming your condo into a smart home.
