On May 11, Coldwell Banker announced its partnership with CNET to create a definitive definition of a smart home to better help agents, sellers, buyers and owners understand this emerging home trend. But Coldwell Banker isn’t done with its journey to become the go-to real estate company for all things smart home.
In conjunction with its smart home definition, Coldwell Banker has added a smart home certificate course to its Coldwell Banker University offerings. The curriculum was developed by CEDIA, the global trade association for the home technology market.
CEDIA-approved instructors will facilitate the two 90-minute sessions entitled “Inside the Smart Home” and “Guiding Clients to Smarter Homes.”
The curriculum
The “Inside the Smart Home” session will cover the Coldwell Banker/CNET smart home definition and the impact of smart home technology on the market and homebuying and selling processes.
The second course, “Guiding Clients to Smarter Homes” will show agents how they can educate homebuyers and homesellers about this technology.
For example, agents will learn about various smart security products and platforms and the key differences between each option so they can help clients make the best decision for their needs.
Why now?
Coldwell Banker’s president and CEO Budge Huskey says the focus on smart homes is part of the company’s continued focus on innovation and emerging consumer trends.
“We’ve kept our eye on the evolution of smart home technology over the past few years due to its rapid accessibility due to lower prices and the ability to move beyond the new construction to the resale, retrofit market, which is several times larger,” Huskey said. “Overall, what was once considered a luxury for upscale homes is now becoming mainstream in homes across the United States.”
“We’re realizing that consumers expect their homes to have products that enhance their lifestyles, add convenience to everyday tasks and keep them safe at home.
“But it’s moving beyond that to a new level where owners expect to interact with their homes. We want to make sure that our consumers are informed and know what they are getting when they buy a smart home, while making sure that our agents are knowledgeable and trusted smart home specialists.
“This realization led us to create the official smart home definition for the real estate industry and, subsequently, smart home courses for agents.”
Costs and future plans
The course is free for all Coldwell Banker agents, and Huskey hopes the certification will give the company’s agents a leg up in the increasingly competitive world of real estate.
Furthermore, Huskey says this isn’t the last initiative coming down the pipeline:
“We have a few more smart home projects in the works that are sure to wow our network of agents as well as prospective homebuyers and sellers — stay tuned!”
