By Holly Schwartz
For many house hunters looking for a home is more than just price, size and location. However, most home searches are set up that way. When it comes to the luxury home market, house hunters have other criteria in mind. What are some of the things that are on the home-shopping checklist for buyers? Here’s a look.
A Tech Savvy Home
According to Freshome.com, people want homes that are keeping up with the pace of technology. Just like everyone wants the latest iPhone, buyers also want homes with the most current technology. For instance, the types of updates that are wowing buyers include a home audio system or climate control system that you can control from an app on your phone. Bottom line, having technology that makes life easier and more enjoyable is a key real estate component.
A Place To Chill
A wine cellar is often associated with high-end living and is considered a necessity for wine lovers and collectors. But what do the buyers want? They are looking for a modern wine cellar with a designer look, serving almost like an art display for your vino. The Telegraph reports that in London, they’ve taken the opulence to another level and wine rooms are evolving to serve as a private tasting chamber for entertaining. Sounds like a fun party!
Outdoor Kitchens & Fireplaces
Why have one kitchen when you can have two? It makes sense, especially in our gorgeous climate, to entertain outside. Since most entertaining involves food, it’s perfectly logical that an outdoor kitchen would be in demand. Buyers appreciate a setup that includes a gas grill, sink, refrigerator and prep area. Some outdoor kitchens even include beer taps and pizza ovens.
To complete the outdoor entertaining experience, a cozy fireplace or fire pit can help keep everyone warm in the cool evenings. Again, fireplaces are also considered to be like a piece of art, a masterpiece to display the dancing flames against the black backdrop of the night sky. There are so many beautiful designs to choose from, from stone facades to fire pits to fire tables and more.
One special note for buyers about these features – many of these special items will require their own inspections. They are above and beyond the scope of a traditional home inspection so if you want to make sure they are in proper working order, you may have to get specialists in to evaluate them.
Lifestyle Lovers
Finally, with the Generation Y house hunters, otherwise known as millennials, the LA Times reported that they require homes that cater to their lifestyle. For example, they may want a home that is on the ocean or next to a golf course, so that they can hit the sand or the green with ease.
So there you have it, these are just some of the additional characteristics that buyers will be considering when searching for a luxury home.
Holly Schwartz is a realtor with Villa Real Estate who lives in Eastside Costa Mesa. She can be reached at HSchwartz@VillaRealEstate.com.
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