Sellers are making their homes hi-tech in a bid to attract savvy buyers.
The ultra-modern homes are flooding the city’s prestige property market with industry leaders claiming the gadgets have become essential.
REIQ Gold Coast zone chair John Newlands said luxury homes were increasingly being built with expensive technology.
“It is great to see people take the initiative to modernise their homes to this extent,” Mr Newlands said.
“There must be a market for these homes and it’s great to see homeowners cater to overseas buyers.”
Ray White Hope Island sales agent Michelle St Ange is marketing one of these properties owned by Hope Island resident Wayne Macfarlane. Mr Macfarlane has spent more than $200,000 fitting his Mediterranean palace with the finest gadgets money can buy.
From walls fitted with touchpad computers to automatic lighting and ventilation systems, the South African-born businessman has completely digitised his home.
“The entire house is linked to a C-Bus system which cost around $180,000 to install,” Mr Macfarlane said.
“We bought the house in 2007 and automated everything.
“It is all linked back to a control room downstairs near the garage which gives data and phone lines to every room.
“My favourite is the 64,000 litre water tank under the house which is programmed to water all of the gardens on schedule and control the water features around the house.
“The system can also set the temperature in each room. It means my room can automatically be a different temperature to the media room.”
Mrs St Ange said buyers were becoming more focused on technology.
“People will love the fact that this home can be controlled from the flick of a button,” Mrs St Ange said.
“He can receive detailed information on weather and water levels from any room in the house and security cameras can be brought up on the television.
“We are finding these kinds of gadgets more and more sought after in prestige properties.
“Overseas buyers love the security and it makes living effortless.”
Original article published at www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au by Jack Houghton, Gold Coast Bulletin Real Estate, 20/9/2014