Whether your vision of luxury living includes first-class travel, designer clothes or gourmet meals, it’s also likely to include a home. The definition of luxury when it comes to property varies more widely than in some other consumer categories since $1 million can buy you acres of land in the country, a swath of waterfront property with a dock, or a jewel-like condo in the heart of the city. No matter where it’s located, though, there are certain features expected in a high-end residence.
Must-have features in luxury homes
Regardless of the size of the home or the location, certain characteristics are shared by homes that carry a high price tag. Buyers of these homes have high expectations for the quality of the residence they’re purchasing, so hardwood and stone flooring are assumed to be among the standard features of any high-end home.
As with most buyers and sellers, the kitchen and bathrooms are important spaces that should showcase good design and upgraded fixtures and finishes. Depending on the style of the home, the kitchen should include either contemporary-style European cabinetry or traditional high-quality wood cabinets. Upgraded appliances, often professional-grade, even if the homeowners aren’t chefs, are part of many upscale homes. Marble and limestone are traditional materials used in the spa-like bathrooms found in so many luxury homes. High-end fixtures and items like freestanding soaking tub and multiple showerheads are also common in luxury properties.
One more feature that’s a “want-to-have” for most homebuyers and a “must-have” for million-dollar homes is an outdoor living area. While gardens and patios are traditionally part of a suburban or rural luxury property, upscale city homes generally include a terrace, a balcony, or, ideally, a private rooftop deck off the penthouse. If there’s space, the outdoor living area features a grill and a wet bar for entertaining. Larger homes often have a private patio or balcony off the master suite in addition to multiple porches and patios.
Luxury-level homes, whether they are in the city, suburbs or country, share one other attribute: a view. Whether that view is of the Washington Monument, the Potomac River, acres of meadows and trees or the Blue Ridge Mountains, every upscale buyer expects an attractive scene to share with their guests.
Desired amenities in urban luxury properties
Condos that cost $1 million and up typically have more square footage than a standard condo, but far less than a similarly priced single family home. What buyers are paying for is a lifestyle akin to luxury hotel residence in a prime location. In fact, some luxury condos in the D.C. area, such as the Residences at the Ritz-Carlton or Waterview above the Le Méridien hotel in Rosslyn, come with room service.
Buyers at upscale condos expect exceptional service and amenities, such as a door attendant, 24-hour concierge, a fitness center and a resort-style swimming pool. Guest suites are popular in luxury buildings too, some of which are available for occasional reservations and some for purchase. Social spaces such as screening rooms, reception rooms and temperature-controlled wine rooms are also available to urban luxury homeowners. At The Lauren in Bethesda, a sommelier is on staff to help residents with their wine selections.
A relatively new trend in the D.C. area, once an amenity found mostly in New York City and Miami, are private elevators directly into the home. At condos like 2424 Lofts in Adams Morgan and Quarry Springs and The Lauren in Bethesda, residents and their guests have the privilege of being whisked directly from the garage or the building foyer into their own condo.
Amenities in suburban and rural luxury homes
Extravagant amenities aren’t limited to city condos. Buyers outside the city limits have the added benefit of more space and privacy. Instead of sharing the swimming pool or fitness center, residents at upscale estates in Potomac, Great Falls and McLean have their own heated swimming pools with pool houses, outdoor kitchens with grills and refrigerators, tennis courts and multipurpose courts.
Amenities at these larger homes aren’t just outside, either. Most include a guest suite with a private bathroom and sometimes a kitchenette either on the lower level, above a garage, or in private cottage. Indoor basketball courts, putting greens, spa-like retreats with a sauna, steam room or both, in addition to an exercise room, are frequently found in upscale homes, along with a bar and a second catering kitchen for entertaining.
One of the more popular features in high-end suburban and rural homes is a wine cellar, preferably with a tasting room for guests. Even homeowners who don’t necessarily consider themselves wine experts like to have a place to store and collect wine for entertaining.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling a luxury home this year, consult a Long & Foster agent. Long & Foster offers multiple divisions that can help buyers and sellers, and the company provides a wealth of market data to their agents and clients through their Market Minute, Market Conditions and LuxInsight reports. All Long & Foster agents can leverage the company’s broad network, not only in the agent’s own office, but also across the entire firm and its global affiliates like Christie’s International Real Estate and Luxury Portfolio International.
