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] Patient Preference for Home-Based and Convenient Care Models Patient preference for home-based, convenient, and minimally disruptive care delivery in North America is driving voluntary adoption of remote monitoring programs among chronically ill and post-acute care populations. Mobility Foresights
• [New] As hospital-at-home programs scale and telehealth infrastructure matures, demand for connected monitoring devices and analytics platforms will strengthen across North America. Mobility Foresights
• [New] Millions of service members, veterans and military families could see their prescription drug costs drop significantly under a newly introduced bill aimed at extending Medicare-style drug price protections to other federal health programs. Newsweek
• [New] Energy codes will save U.S. homes and businesses $182 billion between 2010 and 2040. Energy.gov
• [New] Among licensed agents, 66% forecast an increase in Seoul-area home sale prices. Seoul Economic Daily
• [New] 2026 will be a big year for green living and smart houses. Sustainable Business Magazine
• [New] The cargo bikes segment is swiftly emerging at an anticipated CAGR of 8.2% from 2026 to 2034, with the increasing need for efficient urban logistics and family transportation solutions. Market Data Forecast
• [New] Scientists now know with a fair degree of certainty, for example, that sea levels will rise one to two feet along the Gulf Coast and Eastern Seaboard by 2050, putting millions of homes at risk for regular flooding. Columbia Magazine
• [New] Despite intense worries about the future amid the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran and predictions of higher interest rates, more than two-thirds of Australians expected home prices to continue to rise over the coming year, versus just 12% who predicted a fall. The Guardian
• [New] A nonprofit is filling the rural housing gap in small North Dakota towns by acting as the developer for new homes, taking on risk that has kept private builders away. RuralOrganizing
• [New] Just 79,000 new homes are projected for completion across capital cities in 2026, representing a 26% decrease from 2024 levels due to elevated construction costs, persistent labour shortages, and lengthy planning approval delays. openpr
• [New] More than $80 trillion will move between generations over the next 20 years, increasing pressure on families to formalise governance and succession structures. Future Family Office
• [New] With more than 80% of new smart devices built to support Matter, buyers are stepping into homes expecting a setup where lighting, climate, security, and appliances all communicate seamlessly. FoxesSellFaster.com
• [New] Meta has threatened to block access to Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp in New Mexico, which would be an unprecedented move in its home country. The Guardian
• [New] Housing prices in Australia will remain elevated in 2026, underpinned by both demand and supply factors. Yahoo News Singapore
• [New] By the 2030s, evidence may routinely include data from wearable devices, smart home systems, workplace monitoring software, and algorithmic decision-making systems. Seyfarth Shaw - Technology in Trials of the 2030s
• [New] LG plans to continue developing home robots with practical functions and forms for housework. LG USA
• [New] Smartphone replacement cycles are getting longer as discretionary household budgets come under pressure from inflation, with demand for new devices expected to fall for the rest of 2026. The Register
• [New] An individual server rack within an advanced data center is only the size of a large refrigerator, but by 2027 it could have peak power demand equivalent to that of 65 households. IEA
• [New] The average Iranian is expected to get poorer over the coming months, as rampant inflation decimates households trying to keep their heads above water. Al Jazeera

Last updated: 09 May 2026