What Makes A True Luxury House?
Posted on: 21 September 2016
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Luxury is a term that developers and management companies like to throw around a lot nowadays, but what makes a house truly luxurious? Turns out the answer is extras -- extra amenities, fixtures that have extra features, and extra effort in sourcing materials for things like countertops. State-of-the-art features are also hallmarks of luxury homes. While some of these can also be installed in non-luxury homes, they typically aren't placed in those that are newly built. If you want these other perks, you've got to look at luxury developments.
Extra Designated Rooms
Luxury homes will often have extra rooms that have a pre-designated use, such as a home theater. home offices, craft rooms, rooms set aside for laundry (no garage W/D hookups here), and playrooms, are also extremely common in luxury homes. The idea is that you can have more space set aside for better organization. No longer do you have to cram everything into the spare bedroom; now you have enough square footage to have these compartmentalized work spaces, and that is considered luxury compared to what you get in non-luxury homes.
Top-of-the-Line Technology
Any technology that is already installed in the home often uses features that are considered state of the art. Smart thermostats, smartphone-enabled garage door openers, and multi-zone HVAC systems are among the features you might find in the home. If the builder includes appliances, you're likely to find professional-level fixtures like dual ovens and extra stove burners, plus very large refrigerators.
Unseen Perks
Many of a luxury home's features are unseen. These can include bathroom floors that are heated, extra-thick carpet padding, and extra cabinet features like lazy Susans and pull-out shelves in lower cabinets. These are non-necessary features that make the house more useful -- no more stressing out the heater to make the bathroom warmer on a cold day, for example.
Stone Features
From granite countertops to stone tiles in the entryway, a luxury home will often have features made from stone rather than veneers or vinyl. Stone is a more expensive option than synthetics, giving the features the air of exclusivity.
Talk to the builders in your area, as well as your real estate agent, about common luxury features that you might like and whether any homes for sale in the region have these features. The features can make life a lot more pleasant, and your real estate agent can help you find a great property.