SMART SOLUTIONS

In a time marred by uncertainty, if anything has emerged a winner, it is technology. Property walk-throughs via video calls are now as commonplace as Internet banking, online shopping and self-service counters at supermarkets.

Virtual reality (VR) technology is not new to the property industry; developers in Singapore have been using it to give online tours of their developments to prospective buyers for a few years now.

But it is not until the present time that it has become the only option available. Although the trend may soften as things return to normalcy, many homeowners may still opt for virtual viewings during the initial stages of their search.

Smart-home upgrades will likely encompass the ability to coordinate services without requiring human contact. The increased demand for contactless home deliveries will make concierge services even more crucial, and is a feature that developers such as Guocoland already offer in some of their high-end properties.

In addition, some people may even choose to avoid using communal facilities altogether, and instead spend more time in their homes by investing in personal amenities such as a fitness room or entertainment den with cinema-like features.

“As we observe a move from shared facilities to personal ones, we will also see a rise in demand for zen-corners where homeowners can hit the mat for some yoga, or simply take a quiet break from the rest of the house,” says Edwards.

Amid the digital transformation that the pandemic has spurred, we cannot ignore the existential dialogue it has brought to the fore, which is a stronger argument for sustainability. “How we’re living, how it looks in the next generation and what we’re handing down are going to be key takeaways from the pandemic,” says Garrett.