Jim Allen Blog

From in-home spas to extended outdoor rooms, today’s Raleigh luxury home buyer seeks amenity-filled creature comforts normally found at a posh five diamond hotel. Now add ultra-gourmet kitchen appliances like multiple walk-in refrigerators and commercial grade Viking stoves and you have the makings for a professional kitchen fit for a five-star restaurant. These are but a few of the must-have features Raleigh luxury home buyers are seeking.

Jim’s Top Ten Must-have Luxury Appointments and Features

My list of luxury home amenities includes:

1. Hobby rooms – Because many of today’s Triangle luxury buyers are quickly approaching (if not already there) their retirement years, it’s important to have multiple specialty rooms dedicated to accommodate both spouses’ hobbies. These rooms should be organized and outfitted with the tools and organized space required for today’s active homeowner. From rooms dedicated to scrapbooking to woodworking, these rooms should be tailored to the homeowner’s creative taste and needs.

2. High-tech homes – Luxury home buyers seek all the technology “bells and whistles” including structured wiring and security for starters. It goes without saying; these homes must have wireless remote capabilities for audio, video and security. Other security features include multiple settings for entertainment and interior and exterior light controls with remote onsite and offsite access. Many if not all luxury buyers need to be connected online 24/7, hence the need for commercial-grade, high-speed Internet connectivity.

3. Pampered vehicles – Today’s successful corporate executive and luxury home buyer typically has a stable of expensive autos in tow. For the most avid of car collectors, especially those living in confined city spaces, tools and features to maintain and detail the homeowner’s fleet of cars clean can be a challenge. Preferred on-premise amenities include indoor car lifts, an indoor car wash and storage for onsite maintenance. No doubt, these luxury homeowners spare no expense for their ultimate collection of priceless automobiles.

4. Ultra-gourmet kitchens – Professional-grade kitchens are another must-have feature. Luxury buyers desire their kitchen to be loaded with commercial quality walk-in refrigerators, multiple dishwashers and stoves one would expect to find in a five-star restaurant. What with the growing popularity of home entertaining, these appliances are no longer options but are the norm for in-home chefs and even the novice gourmet cook in the family.

5. Wine cellars and tasting rooms – Many of today’s luxury home buyers are also connoisseurs of fine wines. The vast majority of Raleigh luxury homes come equipped with a climate-controlled wine cellar. Adjacent tasting rooms equipped with sinks and buckets for wine sampling are also in high demand as well.

6. Your Personal Spa Retreat and Workout Gym – No longer just a remote room filled with mirrors and bright lights, the home gym has undergone an extreme makeover. The luxury homeowner now expects the home to emulate a complete health and wellness facility. Spa-like amenities include steam and message rooms and Yoga and Pilates studios. Gone are outdated hot tubs, now replaced with indoor lap pools and half court basketball gyms.

7. Concierge services – No longer limited to condo-hotels and condominium owners, concierge services are a reality for today’s Raleigh luxury homeowner. Builders and developers have combined resources to incorporate the growing demand for onsite companies specializing in concierge services. From providing in-home chefs to making dinner reservations, concierge services relieve the luxury homeowner of the burden of picking up the dry cleaning or purchasing opera tickets. These concierge services are forth-coming in newer Raleigh luxury home neighborhoods. Contact us to determine what new home developments offer these unique services.

8. Media rooms – A Media room remains in my top ten lists of must-have amenities. However, today’s media rooms surpass those of the local public theater. Equipped with a theater-size screen, these light-controlled venues typically boast 6.1 digital surround sound and the latest high-tech gadgets to entertain. Stocked with plush reclining seats and easy to access fully-stocked refreshment centers, today’s media room can easily accommodate groups of any size.

9. Home elevators –Accessibility is critical as our population continues to age. Plus – as lot sizes diminish, the need for vertical construction will be a priority. Luxury homes equipped with elevators are becoming a matter of convenience as well as necessity for the typical luxury home buyer.

10. Outdoor Living Spaces – Another must have feature for luxury homes is outdoor living spaces. Amenities usually consist of fireplace, ceiling fans, wired surround sound, flat panel TV and built in appliances such as gas grill and refrigerator.

Do You Have a Must-have Luxury Home Amenity?

If so, what is your favorite luxury amenity or feature? How would you rank my list in the order of preference? I look forward to your response!

Until my next post,

Jim

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