5 House Features that Add the Most Value to a Luxury Home
First and foremost, a luxury property is a home. It’s where you sip your morning coffee while you gaze at nearby mountain vistas. It’s where you welcome guests at the holidays and throughout the year. And it’s where you return to from your own travels, spent and ready to recharge.
But a luxury home is also an investment—for some, the largest investment of their lifetime! And as such, it is important to nurture and develop your investment.
Adding additional features to your luxury home is not an action to be taken lightly. After all, not all additions or renovations return the value you put into them. In fact, some might even make it more difficult for your home to resell in the future! Here are the house features that will add the most value to your luxury home.
A Chef’s Dream Kitchen
Kitchens and bathrooms are widely regarded as the rooms that make the strongest impression on home buyers. They’re also the rooms that become dated the fastest as appliances, finishes, and other decor fall out of style. Industry experts recommend that you renovate your kitchen every 10–15 years. After this amount of time, your kitchen will have endured a sufficient amount of wear and tear to justify new cabinets and surfaces. If you’re adding additional features to your kitchen space, consider including a walk-in pantry with plenty of storage. Other luxury features in demand include double sinks, warming drawers, wine fridges, and restaurant-quality appliances. Eat-in spaces are also in high demand among families with children and second-time buyers.
A Spa-Quality Bathroom
Second to the kitchen, a home’s primary bathroom calls for the most cosmetic upgrades over time. Even simple, low- to mid-range improvements may generate more than 100% back on your costs. According to the National Association of Home Builders, a linen closet in the primary bath is the most desirable feature among buyers. Having both a shower and a tub, as well as double vanities, were close behind. Installing heated bathroom floors is another more luxurious way to make the price of your home skyrocket. Some heating systems even have built-in timers, which can be set in advance. Towel warming drawers are another such desirable feature.
Expanding other home bathrooms from a half to a full, especially on the main level, will also generate a good return on your investment. And for homes with the finest of luxury touches, consider adding a sauna or a steam room.
Smart-Home and Eco-Friendly Tech
Today’s elite are increasingly tech savvy and eco-conscious. Energy efficiency, along with related green home features, is one of the most desired features in luxury homes today. And it’s likely that that demand will not decrease anytime soon. Focus on effective insulation, efficient windows, LED lighting, and upgraded appliances. If you have the space, add solar panels somewhere on your property. Green roofs and geothermal heating and cooling will also make your home stand out from other listings.
Along with green features, luxury home buyers are looking for a home equipped with smart features. Communication hubs and sound systems are great, but if you’re focusing your energies, start with smart safety features. Smart thermostats, fire detectors, security cameras, door locks, and more offer luxury buyers the peace of mind they need to enjoy all the other excellent features and amenities of your luxury home. If you can, integrate all the features together under one ecosystem for ease of use.
Indoor Entertainment and Work Space
If you’re thinking about adding square footage to your home, don’t waste it on a seventh bathroom. Today’s luxury buyers are looking for designated spaces to enjoy their favorite activities. These include gaming and theatre rooms, home exercise rooms, and hobby rooms. Finishing your terrace level into a fully formed entertainment space with a game room, theatre room with a huge projector and a high-quality sound system, and even a sports bar is the ultimate in home luxury! The goal is to create a space where you never feel the need to leave the comforts of home—they’re all there at your fingertips.
In the past few years, we’ve also seen an uptick in demand for private home office spaces, as well. Right now, the line between work life and home life has never been more important! What you need is a room that will help you engage in work during business hours, and disengage at the end of the day. Having a designated home office will help you stay organized, stay focused, and maintain that critical work/life balance.
Outdoor Entertainment Space
If your back yard has the potential for outdoor entertaining, creating the right space for it could mean big money to the next buyer. Experts estimate that adding a deck offers a higher resale value than just about any other home renovation project. However, outdoor kitchens are today’s backyard status symbol. NAR says an inset grill, stainless steel drawers, ice chest, sink, and 60 square feet of concrete countertop is the best combination for a great return on your investment. Additional outdoor features in demand include fire pits, water features, and outdoor lighting.
Sell Your Luxury Home Today with Walnut Cove Realty!
We can help you find the right buyer to match the unique combination of features in your luxury home.
For more than 10 years, Walnut Cove Realty has been a trusted and valued partner for those seeking or selling luxury properties in Western North Carolina. With a wealth of industry experience, the trusted real estate sales team at Walnut Cove Realty has first-hand knowledge about each home, homesite, and the distinctive lifestyle at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove because several members of the team are not only members but live in the community. In 2020, Walnut Cove Realty was involved in 89 of 99 real estate transactions in The Cliffs at Walnut Cove totaling nearly $82.8 million.
Contact us today to speak with a Walnut Cove luxury home expert.
