JohnAmardeil.com

Recently, to make the home buying process even more simplified, we introduced an online reservation system on the Pine River website for our clients Lancaster and Zancor. Our system is integrated into the builder’s CRM, so while browsing through the selection of towns and detached home designs, users can select their favourite and choose/reserve their preferred lot within a real-time community site plan. It is also programmed for architectural control, meaning users can only put home designs on appropriate lots. The tool is even able to tell them the grading, closing date and final price – including all premiums. To top it all off, the site lets users save/view their favourites, remembers recently viewed designs, and displays popular designs to buyers based on their browsing habits.

The next step is for buyers to visit the Presentation Centre (of their chosen builder) in person, and finalize the deal. Their hold is only placed until the Saturday of that week These innovative features provide more control than ever over the process by allowing prospective buyers to fall in love with – and lock in – a home and lot without any roadblocks.

This is extremely exciting for the team here at BAM, as we’ve been continuously working toward the inevitable ability for buyers to make a complete purchase online. With electronic signatures now being legally binding, the concept is entirely viable; there has already been some success with online home sales overseas. With the increasing complexity of the sites we’ve been building for clients, buyers are currently able to make a near-purchase decision, and in more than 80% of the cases, a full purchase decision before they step foot in the Presentation Centre. Allowing them to take the next step, right then and there, seems like a logical progression. It also opens up the possibility of virtual sales centres, or even just live chat attendants, which would let buyers talk to a representative right on their device and clear up any concerns or misunderstandings.

This online reservation system is an enormous accomplishment and an exciting look at what’s to come here at BAM. It’s one step closer to our goal of making the home buying process a fully digital, and seamless, experience.

We’re indeed living in a smart world. From ultra-intelligent phones, intuitive lighting that patterns itself to our lifestyles, and new-age home monitoring and heating/cooling systems, the market is ripe with a vast array of game-changing automation solutions. This trend is showing no signs of slowing down, and the newest thing to become smarter is something that many of us may never have considered – windows. Windows serve a vital role in our everyday lives, even if we never think about it. They’re a barrier to the elements, hold in heat and cool air, and provide natural light in our living and work spaces; however, they don’t always work the way we need them to. At certain points throughout the day, they may provide disproportionate amounts of light, causing potentially uncomfortable shifts in temperature, and rendering certain areas less than ideal for periods of time. Imagine having windows that adjusted to fit your needs, and worked in a way that is conducive to the lifestyles of those in spaces they service? Thanks to the well-funded start-up View, smart windows are becoming a reality.

View, which recently added over $150 million to their already large $500 million investment, is making dynamic glass powered by a sophisticated intelligence engine that responds intuitively to outside conditions, day or night. This type of customization and optimization of light helps to reduce glare, make the most of the daylight and provide energy savings. As well, you can reduce electricity usage by roughly 20% annually with these windows – huge savings. The windows can be controlled, monitored, scheduled – and audited for efficiency – from anywhere in the world, via a mobile app, which reduces reliance on individuals having to be physically at the location to make necessary adjustments. It also provides benefit to companies with more than one location, who may want to monitor or control multiple areas/spaces remotely.

Without a question, smart windows are a logical evolution. It’s interesting to imagine what other types of intricate “smart” development we can expect next. Perhaps, smart water modulation systems that monitor water usage? Regardless, smart windows are an excellent addition to every green developer’s arsenal, and it will only be a matter of time until they become widely available on a smaller scale/consumer level.