Global Scans · Homes · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: The number of smart homes is expected to grow further and by 2020 it is expected 46.2 million homes in the US and 44.9 million in Europe will be classed as smart homes. By 2022 there could be nearly 500 smart devices that can be connected to a smart home.

• [New] 30% of the Canadian population currently owns smart home devices, which is expected to increase to 50-55%. Straits Research
• [New] Water Gap, described as the first unified strategy to achieve universal access to safe, running water and working sanitation in every American home by 2040. Informed Infrastructure
• [New] Real estate experts anticipate modest, sustainable growth rather than a downturn, with existing home sales projected to increase by 2-14% in 2026, depending on interest rate movements. Houzeo
• [New] Research suggests a 1 kW north-facing plug-in solar system in Melbourne could save a typical household around $248 a year, reducing annual electricity bills by about 15%. Have a Go News
• [New] Optimum, Xfinity, Frontier, and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet are all offering five-year price locks, so your bill will not creep up in 2027. HighSpeedInternet.com
• [New] One unexpected consequence of the AI boom is that Google, Microsoft and Amazon could end up financing home energy upgrades to free up grid availability. Last Week in ConTech
• [New] In most parts of the U.S., building an energy efficient home will cost slightly more upfront, usually around 5% to 15% above a standard build. EcoFlow
• [New] Climate change is no longer a future threat to Canadian home insurance - it's a present reality driving significant premium increases across every province. BlueCouch Insurance
• [New] Over 1.5 million Canadian households sit in high flood-risk areas. BlueCouch Insurance
• [New] The biggest new threat to smart homes is AI Promptware. CNet
• [New] More than $124 trillion in U.S. household wealth is expected to transfer across generations through 2048. Hamilton Lane
• [New] CMS providers will activate a 72-hour shooting response protocol to rapidly support victims, families and communities in the aftermath of gun violence. Mirage News
• [New] Baby Boomers hold approximately 40% of U.S. residential real estate, representing $18 to $20 trillion in housing wealth, that will gradually change hands over the next 15 to 20 years. Las Vegas Sun
• [New] A quarterly Fannie Mae/Pulsenomics survey of more than 100 housing economists projects home prices will appreciate approximately 1.7% in 2026 and 2.0% in 2027, with the overwhelming majority of panelists forecasting no national price decline. / USA Las Vegas Sun
• [New] Industry data points to roughly 35% of U.S. furniture and home furnishings sales now transacted online, with penetration expected to approach 40% by the end of the decade. Lincoln International LLC

Last updated: 01 August 2026