Next Big Thing: Smart home in a package

As of July 5, 2017, Meritage Homes is including smart home solutions as part of its homebuilding package.

Newly constructed homes sold after that date will include a suite of Wi-Fi-enabled home automation solutions, known collectively as the M.Connected Home Automation Suite.

The Suite allows homeowners to monitor and control lighting, video doorbells, thermostats, smart door locks and more.

Homeowners will also be able to interact with their homes and and control functions from wherever they happen to be.

“As automation continues to advance and become more affordable, Meritage Homes is innovating to meet growing demands and allow buyers to stay connected to their homes. We are proud to make wireless technology accessible to buyers at all price points with a home automation system in our new builds,” said C.R. Herro, Vice President of Environmental Affairs for Meritage Homes. “Meritage is resetting the standard, again, for what the best home can and should include.”

Some additional features and functionalities include the ability to “answer” one's door from the palm of one's hand, offer guests a virtual spare key, automatically regulate one's HVAC system, use a smartphone as an additional garage door opener, and set the irrigation controller to respond to local weather data to reduce water waste.