Internet- and Wi-Fi–connected products top the list of next-gen products that have the most impact on the resident experience, according to an exclusive MFE survey of multifamily professionals, with 83.5% of respondents rating the products as having a “high impact” on tenant satisfaction. The digital products beat out a host of other items, including lighting, flooring, appliances, and windows and doors. Also highly ranked were security and door locks, utility management, and HVAC systems.

Next-gen building and construction products, in contrast, scored very low among survey participants, who said such products have a relatively low or no impact on the resident experience. Specifically, respondents cited framing, both wood and nonwood, as having the least impact, followed by modular construction and drywall.

The study responses were part of a survey conducted by The Farnsworth Group, our data partner on the 2017 MFE Concept Community, examining usage and perceptions regarding next-gen building performance. This year’s survey received online responses from 159 multifamily builders, developers, and architects.

Look for more tidbits and stats from the survey in the coming months prior to the annual Multifamily Executive Conference, which will be held Sept. 18–20 at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.