We do a ton of model homes and currently have 11 coming up.
We have our option catalogs and a sales force at every model complex and although we offer a huge variety of options spanning the entire industry spectrum I think I want to expand a bit.
I'm thinking of taking our best Control4 package along with our platinum home theater and security packages and combining them with a load of additions to create a total home package called the ihome.
This would have to integrate with the solar systems, AV, lighting, Security, cameras, door locks. HVAC and etc..

What ideas can you give me for making this attractive?

What functions would you add?

What products would you recommend to integrate seamlessly to be controlled via a single app (control4)

The idea is your home available to you virtually anytime via your connected idevice.

This would be sold at design stage for new home construction.

 I know this is in the mix somewhere, but I think if you package it correctly, and depending on the size of the home, you can really do some nice business and do your clients a big service by offering advanced networking.  outlets, WAPS, NAS w/remote access, yada yada yada.

Take it a step further and take control of all of their devices (charge per device of course).  Set everything up for them, iCloud, photostream, WIFI printers, Sharing documents, pics, etc. 

Everyone client has the ability to do this....very few do it because they don't know how.  

Not sure i have anything to offer for the "from your idevice" request. These are "add ons" that i think should become standards for every new home.

Mentioned above...The network. Time to quit letting consumers decide which mix of products to use. Build it into the house. POE switch/solid wifi/real router/firewall etc.

Mobile antennas for cell phones in the home. http://www.wilsonelectronics.com/

 Yep.  Wilson is a great idea....I've thought about that 1000 times, never implemented it.  Most houses have dead spots....You can eliminate them.

Wilson is a great product but two caveats if cell reception is horrible to begin with you are just spinning your wheels, and if the home is very old with metal mesh backed plaster or a high end large home  with the right combination of materials to make your life difficult...example 2x6 walls with blown packed insulation and 2 layers of sheetrock with green glue holding them together....ask me how I know....

I believe iHome is already trademarked. It's a brand of alarm clocks with iPhone docks.

And iHouse is also taken. It's a line of manufactured homes from Clayton.

Hey, speaking of alarm clocks, what if your home was your alarm? I'm not familiar with C4 so I don't know the limitations or options you have. But, could you build an alarm option where your bedroom audio system wakes you up with a gradual volume increase and possibly turns the TV on to the morning news? Maybe include the lights slowly ramping up. I once saw a clock with a bright light on it that would slowly grow brighter to simulate the sun rising. It was supposed to be better than the traditional audible alarm. Any way, I think it would give the customer a real feeling that their home is intelligent.

Also, I just thought, include blinds. Controlling motorized devices like blinds and TV lifts is magic to people.

Yes. And of course it could include opening shades & bringing the temp. up/down from a set "sleep temp".

It's very simple (for us) but I really like the integration of Snap's cams/DVRs with C4 touch screens. Add in doorbell/chime announcement via DA speakers, and that usually impresses clients.

...you could call it the "Smarthome" package.  I'm kind of partial to the name. :)

Total Control can do all that. Im sure Control 4 can as well.

:)

Some great ideas in the beginning.
These are production homes guys. I don't think selling a grouping of product designed to be controlled by an idevice and calling the package ihome is breaking any rules.

Some of you have seen our catalog and understand the way we sell packages so this will make sense to you.

For those that have not, we have a large line of packages that fit into new home builds and add amenities at the loan level. Buyers pick from a catalog and customize as necessary. This is the production division of our company.

I know that we can remote into a system for service issues with Total Control but not aware of system able to operate remotely for the customer.

What did I miss? I think White Van mentioned something about remote access for home owner.

Whitevan, We seem to do a lot of Model Homes, showcase homes as well. We are finishing up the wire on a showcase home today. In My experience, When people walk through these homes to take a look at them, they never take the time to sit and experience surround sound. What I found to work really well is, Audio in the front entry way, audio in the main Great room, Audio in the shower, audio in the patio, Lighting control, ipad control, Tv lifts, Art screens, invisible speakers, And speakers that fit into the kitchen back splash. Also, most important, having someone there to talk about what you have to offer. You have to catch the eye and mind with visuals IMO. People confuse automation with the same app on their phone to control Direct TV. They just don't get it!

We don't even add speakers to the other rooms because people spend the most time in master bed, master bath, patio, kitchen, living room. Create really good brochures that promote you, not the system. Just my thoughts.

Not sure what speakers you are specifying / installing in these homes, but we have had a very favorable response from our clients with Amina speakers. Our clients love them and talk them up to their friends!

You know what Bruce, thats a great idea. invisible speakers will add to the effect.

Nesbo, We do most of that. My big thing with this package is to show them how much of their home they can control from an ipad. (Both locally and remotely)

Bigger thing is I want it to all tie together or be as seamless as possible.

For anything that is not, I'm interested in product with decent control Apps