The home has water sensors that can detect a slow leak in an appliance, such as a dishwasher, that you might not otherwise discover until the floor was damaged. A range hood in the kitchen can automatically extinguish a stove-top fire. Researchers are even coming up with sensors for appliances, such as the central air-conditioner, that will alert you when they're not operating correctly. Upgraded wiring and plentiful outlets are relatively cheap to add before the drywall is installed. But don't expect builders to offer it on their own.
Square footage is what sells new houses, and that's what they offer.
And those gadgets are about to become downright clever. Some noteworthy products are featured on these pages. So far, so good. But it also incorporates a TV camera. People who saw a prototype at Saks Fifth Avenue last fall hated the camera, says a Philips spokesman.