There are more people working from home today than at any other time in history. Search "home office" on Google and 45,600,000 search results appear (August 24, 7:10 p.m. EST). Whether it is to avoid commuting, to care for elderly parents or the desire to be your own boss, working from home is forever a way of life.

The telecommuting and home office trend is likely to have legs, considering the soaring costs of commutation, and technology's role as an integral part of new business paradigms. According to the Fifth Annual State of the Builder Study from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA®), the majority of builders surveyed believe the home technology market has a positive impact on builder revenue and remains important to the successful marketing of new homes. While builders cited increased profit potential as a reason to include home technologies as a standard offering in 2005, the number one reason to include home technologies in 2006 was at the specification of the buyer or architect.

"Home technologies are without a doubt helping to counteract the slumping housing market," said CEA Director of Research Joe Bates. "Consumers are increasingly asking for installed technologies, whether it's for a home theater room or an intricate home network complete with servers and structured wiring. Clearly, builders, contractors and consumers believe that these offerings are no longer just 'the wave of the future' but a reality; a reality from which builders and contractors are reaping the benefits."

As consumers demand more space for home offices and home theaters, builders and contractors are turning to custom technology installers more often. In fact, the CEA found that the increased popularity of installed home technology has resulted in more than 60 percent of builders and contractors employing custom technology installers in 2006.

"The fact that builders and contractors employ technology installers as often as security installers and electrical contractors is proof that custom technology installation is quickly becoming the fourth trade," added Bates.

In addition to the CEA study, data from a membership-driven American Institute of Architects (AIA) survey found that home offices are the most popular special function room in the hearts and minds of consumers. A drop in price and the increased availability of audio and video technology options has also translated into a surge in popularity for home theaters as well.

"The overall theme that was discovered from these survey results is that home features are now emphasizing convenience and informality. Upscale entryways and hallways have waned a great deal in popularity, while home features are being designed for flexibility and ease-of-use," said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA.

Today's homeowners are looking to use their homes differently from previous generations. Consumers are putting less focus on the amount of space in their homes and more focus on how that space is being used. Ease of accessibility around the home, with an emphasis on informal areas with multiple functions, is a trend growing in popularity, most notably home offices and home theater applications.

Home offices and home theaters are here to stay. It is up to builders to meet this market space and find a niche that will separate them from their competitors.

[Note: The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. Since 1857, the AIA has represented the professional interests of America's architects. As AIA members, nearly 75,000 licensed architects, emerging professionals and allied partners express their commitment to excellence in design and livability in our nation's buildings and communities.]

Published: September 3, 2007

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Peter L. Mosca is president and founder of BAK Communications, Inc. He has over 22 years of communications and media consulting experience, serving a variety of nonprofit organizations, including the CCIM Institute and the REALTOR Association on all three levels – national, state and local. He is the Spokesperson Trainer for the CCIM's Jay Levine Academy and trains hundreds of residential REALTORS nationwide to be effective industry spokespeople. He is consistently ranked as "excellent" by about 90% of those who attend his presentations. While his principal consulting focuses are public speaking and media relations development and content delivery and management, Peter is also the host of the Voice America Network's weekly radio program, "Income Property Investment Talk," a one-hour program that brings the powerhouses of commercial and residential real estate to property investors every Wednesday at 11 a.m. EST. Peter is married 17 years to his wife Barbara. They have two children: Ashley, 15 and Kelli, 12. Hence, the name BAK Communications, Inc.