IC Realtime CEO Matt Sailor contributed expert commentary to HousingWire coverage examining how real-time monitoring, integrated smart systems, and smart access control are changing expectations for home safety in new construction.
Residential security is shifting from “record now, review later” to systems that surface what matters in the moment—alerts for driveway arrivals, package deliveries, and unusual activity delivered directly to a homeowner’s phone.
That move toward proactive monitoring is increasingly tied to AI-assisted detection. HousingWire notes that 28% of consumers use AI for person or package detection, signaling that these capabilities are no longer limited to premium builds.
The broader smart-home context matters just as much as the camera itself. The piece argues that security can’t function as an isolated island in a connected home, especially as IoT devices become standard and homeowners expect systems to “talk” to each other.
Integrated smart home platforms are also evolving beyond convenience into pattern-based automation. HousingWire points to “behavioral analytics”—systems that learn occupancy routines and adapt lighting, climate, and access based on context such as arrivals, departures, and whether the home is empty.
Buyer appetite for connected living continues to pull these features into mainstream construction. The article cites survey data indicating two-thirds of homeowners want a connected home, accelerating builder interest in bundled security and automation experiences.
Access control is the third pillar highlighted, with smart locks positioned as a fast-growing category and a practical replacement for physical keys. HousingWire notes that 74% of home buyers want smart doorbells, and describes how time-limited codes and instant permission changes can reshape everyday access management.
A recurring theme across all three trends is accessibility. The article frames today’s smart security stack as something builders can deploy across far more price tiers than in prior eras, when fully integrated systems often required specialized programming and significant cost.
Overall, the piece presents smart security as a competitive differentiator for builders—less about adding gadgets and more about delivering homes with built-in, interoperable monitoring, automation, and access control that match modern buyer expectations.
