Imagine a home with a fridge that emails you when you’re out of milk, blinds you can open or close from your smart phone and a yard sprinkler system that knows if it’s raining.
The latest in residential technology goes on display this weekend at the Home Show Expo in the Des Moines area. Expo chairman Matt Thompson says the 12 new homes are decked out.
“It’s kind of like a street of dreams,” Thompson says. “It has a whole bunch of homes, fully furnished, a lot of the new technology out there and design. It’s all typically on one or maybe two streets, but close to each other.” The expo is in its 36th year and focuses on a different new neighborhood every year.
“A lot of builders like to show off the new products that are new to the area, whether it be appliances,” Thompson says. “A lot of people are interested in home audio, new products on the lumber side as far as cabinets, doors, trim.” This year’s show is in the Otter Creek development in Ankeny, just north of Des Moines, and highlights a dozen new homes.
“A lot of houses in this show are considered ‘smart homes,’ where you can handle everything as far as lights, heating, cooling, all the TVs, you can handle it from your computer, iPhone, iPad or whatever,” Thompson says.
“It’s really neat technology.” The expo is expected to draw 15,000 people from across the state over its three-weekend run.
The dates are: July 14-15, 19-22 and 26-29. Learn more at: http://www.dmhomeshow.com.