Smithville program supports high-tech home options
ELLETTSVILLE—Building or remodeling a home? Independent research shows that tech-savvy homeowners and renters want foundational connectivity technology built into their homes to support an internet-enhanced lifestyle.
To help residents in Smithville’s service area leverage the value of installed technology, Smithville created two separate programs for realtors and home builders. The Smithville realtor program helps realtors and home buyers connect to Smithville’s nationally recognized service and includes special offers for home buyers.
A separate program for area builders offers home automation and security to builders who are looking to provide a competitive advantage for their properties and developments. The Smithville Security Builder program offers state-of-the-art Honeywell Home security equipment at discounted rates to provide builders with a sales advantage. Smithville also offers builders free security and smart home products for model homes to allow builders to demonstrate the value in-person. Special builder rates are then available for equipment.
Having these technology capacities already built-into a home or rental property often increases the sales attractiveness of the property, according to Paul Quick, president of Smithville. “In recent years, we have seen a strategic sales advantage emerge for homes that have high-speed connectivity and the capacity for smart home automation already built-in,” the Smithville president explained. “In this day and age, people must have the ability to work remotely, and they also expect to have the capacity for smart home automation to increase their level of security and ramp up their technology-supported lifestyle.”
Having high-speed fiber internet in place can add an average of 3.1% to a home’s value, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder and Carnegie Mellon University. “Smithville hears from area realtors and developers regularly who are inquiring about the availability of our services,” said Quick. “They recognize the value that Smithville brings to the table, and we developed these programs in direct response to their interest.”
“Internet connectivity is as important as other utilities for homebuyers,” said Ryan Lentz, program manager. “As a locally owned company offering superior internet service with no data caps, we at Smithville want to give homeowners the best possible experience in their new home by making it easy for them to connect to our services.”
“Homebuyers who purchase Smithville Security products through this program receive additional benefits, including two years of free smart home app control of their home system,” said Chris Dobson, manager of Smithville Security. This app allows homeowners to view visitors through a Honeywell doorbell, arm or disarm their security system remotely, receive critical alerts, and control smart home devices. “The builder program offers a distinct marketing advantage to developers and builders by pre-installing the technology that buyers want,” said Dobson.
“Smithville is pleased to partner with area realtors, builders, developers, and homeowners to provide products and services that add value and enhance lives,” said Quick. “The initial response to these programs has been very encouraging.”
More information on both programs is available online at https://www.smithville.com/realtorrewards/ and https://www.smithville.com/security/builder-program
About Smithville
Nationally recognized for more than a decade as a Top 100 Broadband Company, privately owned Smithville is Indiana’s largest independent telecom company with more than 200 employees. As a fifth-generation, family-owned business, Smithville has been committed to delivering fast and reliable connectivity and legendary service to its customers for nearly a century. The company is well-known as an industry leader and community supporter for rural Indiana.
Since the early 1990s, Smithville has constructed more than 2,800 miles of high-speed, high-capacity fiber across more than 17 Indiana counties, representing private investments totaling upward of a quarter of a billion dollars, including the recent completion of a $4.5 million, 100-gigabit fiber ring.
In addition to its residential services, Smithville provides commercial fiber-based connectivity for businesses, university campuses, biotechnology companies, healthcare providers, government offices, residential centers, communities, and other entities, including the WestGate@Crane Technology Park and the Purdue Research Park. The company currently serves about 23,000 businesses and residences in southern and central Indiana. For more information, please visit www.smithville.com.
