Dive Brief:

• The incorporation of smart technology and built-in bars topped the list of popular home features for 2017, according to a study by residential real estate company Redfin.

• Redfin's analysis is based on the prevalence of terms describing such features among its listings in 2015 and 2016, indicating that groups and individuals selling homes may see these features to be of greater value in the year ahead, Investor's Business Daily noted.

• The survey also found that free-standing tubs and marble countertops gained in popularity this year. In contrast, breakfast nooks, bamboo flooring, and "minimalist" design have seen interest wane, although they are still among the top trends. Stainless steel appliances retained their appeal. 

Dive Insight:

Redfin's findings align with other recent data showing that smart technology is gaining traction in the housing industry. The survey comes as the home remodeling market remains robust with strong housing demand and higher home values encouraging more homeowners to invest in upgrades. 

Nine in 10 millennial renters were recently found to be more open to paying extra for a property that is fitted with automated or remote-controlled devices compared to baby boomers, according to research from Wakefield and Schlage. 

Homebuilders are beginning to respond to the trend, with Los Angeles-based KB Home announcing in November that home automation features controllable through Apple’s HomeKit platform would be available in two of its new communities in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The city of Lousiville, KY, is going a step further. Officials there are working with local developer groups to sync smart-home products with city information systems and have set conditional action chains through the program IFTTT (If This Then That), which could allow residents to customize smart features in the future.

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