IoT Trends Real Estate Investors Must Watch in 2025

The Internet of Things is now an accepted part of many industries and businesses, connecting smart sensor systems and services together. 

In the realtor market, smart home-enabled properties are increasingly common. Renters or buyers expect features like smart video doorbells or entry systems, advanced alarm sensors and other systems, all connected by the nebulous-sounding Internet of Things (IoT). Across Dallas’s high rise and new build market, having the latest IoT devices is a great way to attract buyers who seek modernity, holistic or efficient living. 

The IoT is basically any smart sensor that connects to a server or sensor and provides a steady stream of data. That can be video footage from a camera, identity alerts as people come and go through a smart lock, using their smartphone to access it and so on. 

For real estate investors, smart home technology is an easy addition that adds value to modern properties, and supports preventative maintenance, so problems like water leaks or damp buildup are identified faster and fixed promptly to prevent damage. 

With changing climates and extreme weather, being on top of damage to properties is key to keeping repair costs down and maintaining or boosting value. And for smart buildings, designed to be the most efficient, secure, and welcoming - the IoT is at the heart of these business or residential properties to monitor every aspect. 

These trends are key for realtors to watch in 2025 and beyond. They might not be all-new, but the technology is improving and more devices are working together to provide a connected service.

Smart Home Automation: Smart home technology is highly in-demand due to falling prices and simpler management. The integration of IoT devices in 2025’s homes is more sophisticated and easier for anyone to control. Investors should look to install smart thermostats, lighting, security systems, and appliances that can be controlled remotely to boost property value and rents, or look to invest in new-build smarthomes with everything from automated garage doors to robotic lawn mowers and pool cleaners as part of the feature list.

Energy Management Systems: A key selling point of properties is energy efficiency and IoT-enabled energy management systems go beyond the usual smart thermostat to help monitor and optimize energy use in real-time. This can lead to significant cost savings for tenants or owners, and provide a modest boost to property values.

Predictive Maintenance and Smart Sensors: Traditional risks to property can be mitigated by the likes of water, gas and other IoT sensors. They can help spot leaks, and for extensive systems like HVAC or plumbing, can provide predictive insights into when they might fail ahead of any actual breakdown. They can alert property managers to risks and leaks before the problem scales to a costly repair bill, making for happier occupants and reducing costs. 

Cutting-Edge Security: A mainstay of smart homes is improved technology, from the popular video doorbell, to door and window sensors. Newer technology like vape sensors and gadgets to stop tenants or visitors misbehaving are also ideal for holiday properties. 

IoT-enabled devices such as apartment building security cameras, smart locks, and motion sensors provide advanced security features that the tenant, property manager or community security team can monitor remotely. They provide peace of mind, especially to families or elderly tenants, and can see emergency services called to deal with any issue faster, wherever the owner happens to be.

Sustainable Living: Many homes already have solar power, heat pumps, water management and other technologies to improve their energy and environmental performance. IoT technology helps manage these systems to create more sustainable living and working environments. As people look to live with a smaller environmental footprint, this adds emotional and monetary value to properties that can include energy-efficient designs, smart water-saving systems, that minimize on-grid costs and help people live in an eco-friendly way.

Smart Kitchens: Kitchen designers and white goods makers are adding plenty of technology into their latest creations. From smart lighting, to refrigerators that will remind you to get milk or other essentials, there is plenty to add a wow factor to properties and boost value. Smart IoT cooking appliances can be turned on remotely, to get meals ready when residents come home, while interactive features like smart shopping lists can travel from a kitchen to a smartphone, or even complete an online order. 

Home Offices: Perhaps the biggest trend for modern properties is the home office for remote or hybrid workers. Equipped with powerful broadband, video conferencing systems, and comfortable office amenities, they provide a great way to market properties to the professional sector.

Conclusion

Whatever elements of the above, having them controlled from a single panel in a property or smartphone app is key to driving buyer appeal. They don’t need or want half-a-dozen apps, so a unified approach to any IoT build-out or modernization is key for any property.