In 2021, Spanish home sales went up by 38% over the previous year. However, the interesting tidbit wasn’t the fact that people were buying more — it was the increased demand for single-family homes.
For buyers who are exploring the luxury real estate market, it’s necessary to go beyond the standard three bedrooms and a place in the suburbs. You need to look for home features that say, “This is high-end real estate.”.
If you’ve ever wondered if that expensive house is worth it, you’re in luck. We’ve put together a list of seven luxury home features to watch for during your next walk-through. Keep reading to find out more.
1. Walk-In Closets
In any given week, you’ve likely got a lot going on. You’ve got meetings to attend and deals to close. You’ve got important dinners and evening engagements to book.
The last thing you want is to be digging through drawers while putting together your outfit. Plus, if you’ve got a big wardrobe, keeping your clothes wrinkle-free and organized can be tricky in the best of times.
Walk-in closets — and the extra space they offer — put shoes, clothes, and jewellery all in the same location. For this reason, these closets are a popular feature in mid-market homes. And they’re even more popular in luxury real estate.
They’re easy to access, easy to clean, and one of the best home features a luxury house can have.
2. Entertainment Features
The next-level day-to-day amenities are a big part of what separates high-end homes from the rest of the market. Many luxury homes libraries come with bookshelves, staircases, and plenty of seating room.
However, the library isn’t the only feature you should be on the lookout for.
In a luxury house, the fitness room typically has more than dumbbells and a bike. You’ll want to look for value adds like a sauna or a hot tub that will elevate your post-workout ritual.
Similarly, many top-end homes will have a home theatre that lets new homeowners watch their favourite films on the big screen. Whether you like watching classic films alone or you’re expecting to entertain guests, you’ll get the movie theatre experience without the inconvenience and the crowds.
Once you start booking walkthroughs, these home features will be difficult to miss.
3. Chef’s Kitchen
By any measure, the formal definition of a “chef’s kitchen” is a topic of hot debate.
For some, it’s the stunning backsplash and the cabinet space. Others will tell you that it’s the island countertop. And many others will insist that this type of kitchen is defined by its appliances.
Regardless of which camp you’re in, however, there’s a simpler way to identify a chef’s kitchen. If the answer to the question, “Would a Michelin Star chef be comfortable making restaurant-quality meals here?” is “Yes!”, then congratulations. You’ve got yourself a chef’s kitchen.
In luxury houses, a top-quality kitchen might include heavy-duty fridges with double doors. There should be enough room for caterers or an imaginary group of kitchen staff to create amazing meals without bumping into each other. And, if you’re looking to buy a home that makes people say, “The designers thought of everything!”, you’ll also want to get a kitchen that comes equipped with warming drawers.
From there, all you’ll need is a wine cellar to turn every dinner into an upscale dining experience.
4. High-End Architecture
What do western-style mansions, castles, and modern estates have in common? They all have a certain “look” that helps you identify them as luxurious homes.
Some of the architectural features that luxury homes have in common may include:
- High ceilings
- Large windows
- Clean lines
- Open design concepts
Put simply, you should never feel squished when you’re standing in a luxury home. According to Reuters, post-COVID Spanish homebuyers wanted homes with bright, open spaces and excellent ventilation. On these fronts, the luxury real estate market won’t disappoint.
5. Security Features
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, luxury homebuyers were increasingly interested in purchasing homes with built-in security. So much so that in a previous article, we identified security as a reason to invest in luxury real estate.
Aside from not wanting strangers to peek into your life uninvited, there’s another practical reason to be looking at both natural and tech-enabled security solutions:
You want to protect yourself and your loved ones from thieves and other bad actors.
To that end, you may want to look for built-in security features like terraces, gardens, and shrubbery. These can obscure your property from prying eyes. In addition, choosing a house that’s built away from main roads can go a long way towards helping you maintain some privacy.
However, besides being located in a gated community or having natural privacy-enhancing features, many modern luxury homes will have smart home features. This can allow you to see who’s on your property at all times.
6. Luxurious Bathrooms
Many people see bathrooms as a place to get clean or get dressed. However, in high-end, luxury homes, bathrooms aren’t just a shower, a bathtub, and a toilet. They’re a spa-like experience that you can have from the comfort of home.
This can take the form of jet tubs and showers with powerful water pressure. Many will have vessel sinks that sit on top of the counter surrounded by stones. Others will have touchscreen bathroom TVs that make after-work soaks a legitimate opportunity to catch up on your shows.
A high-end bathroom can quickly become your favourite place to unwind and relax.
7. Outdoor Amenities
We’ve talked a lot about the indoor features associated with luxury houses. But the outside still matters as well. After all, who doesn’t want to soak up some sun in the summer months?
Popular outdoor features associated with luxury homes include tennis courts, swimming pools, and golf courses. Even if you’re not that interested in perfecting your swing, these factors can still affect the resale value of your home.
Buying a Luxury Home? Look for These Home Features
It doesn’t matter if you’re into the great outdoors or offering the perfect dining experience to guests – luxury homes are built to deliver. However, finding the right luxury home isn’t easy.
Our team is highly skilled at helping homebuyers find luxury houses in Marbella. We’ll work with you to find a place that has all the home features you’re looking for and more. Contact us to begin your search today.