By: Kimberley Gomes
For luxury buyers the optimal home goes beyond updated countertops and sumptuous master suites. From fully stocked media rooms to outdoor kitchens, today’s high-end buyer is looking for particular highlights. Fortunately, sellers interested in making their mid-peninsula property more marketable can integrate these features with a little remodeling.
First things first, luxury buyers want convenience. In today’s digital marketplace, transactions can be conducted from all corners of the world with softwares like DigiSign, which is one aspect of APR’s paperless program. Between virtual tours, high quality photos, and electronic signatures, overseas buyers or traveling executives appreciate the ability to coast through a smooth transaction without having to be on-site each step of the way.
“Buyers and sellers from all over the world benefit from our Skyslope program. For example, one of our agents was in China, the seller was in Germany, and the buyer was local, but they were able to easily close the transaction with our technology,” says Bob Gerlach, Vice President and Manager of the Alain Pinel Realtor’s Palo Alto office.
Automated Technology
With Silicon Valley’s hub of innovation so close to the mid-peninsula, home automation has increased in popularity. Between digital thermostats and comprehensive smart systems, this new wave of convenience enables homeowners to regulate all aspects of the home from a tablet or smartphone.
This trend perfectly merges with the coveted media room, a bonus space that has become standard in luxury living. These copious quarters house everything from projector screens and state-of-the-art audio systems to cinema-like seating and sleek wet bars. Residents can also conveniently control the home theater’s experience with their inclusive Smart System.
Culinary Spaces
It’s no surprise that over half of high-end buyers seek gourmet kitchens when scouting for homes. Yet, those spaces have expanded with the growing desire for great rooms. Today’s buyer yearns for an open design, where the chef’s kitchen blends into the vast dining and living rooms, creating an ideal setting for family connection.
Yet, the cooking quarters don’t end there. Behind what used to be a wall of French doors has been replaced with bi-folding glass doors, creating abundant natural light and easy access to the outdoor kitchen. Far more than your standard barbeque, this popular backyard space often hosts an entire station where sinks, built-in refrigerators, and stainless steel cabinetry sit alongside top of the line grills.
Given the mid-peninsula’s sublime climate, these outdoor spaces become living quarters, maximizing a home’s square footage. Cozy seating arrangements surround granite fire pits, offering a serene setting for the region’s warmer months.
Spa Bathrooms
When it comes to master suites, luxury bathrooms are beacons of rejuvenation. These tranquil areas serve as personal spas with radiant floors, heated towel racks, and steam showers for two. These features raise the bar for the standard bathroom, ensuring every detail comes with its own dose of comfort.
Designed for optimal accessibility, today’s master baths also have extensive cabinet space, dual sinks and vast vanities. Jacuzzi tubs and massage rooms are the finishing touches, creating a space that effortlessly revives the body and mind.
Wine Storage
A home ripe for entertaining wouldn’t be complete without proper wine storage. Today’s luxury buyer enjoys ample room for a climate-controlled wine cellar, along with a built-in wine cooler for the gourmet kitchen. Many homeowners convert basement-level rooms into spacious cellars lined by rows of classic, wooden shelves.
A more modern take on this traditional dark, windowless space, turns wine cellars into showpieces. This new generation of storage is surrounded by single-paned glass instead of wood, and utilizes LED lights to accentuate the intricate architecture. While a cellar’s style may vary according to the homeowner, one thing is for sure: abundant wine storage breathes luxury into any home.
Garage Space
Many of today’s extravagant properties also come with multi-faceted three and four-car garages. Luxury homeowners often have an array of vehicles – from family SUVs and recreational cars to vintage classics. In today’s eco-friendly world, many Silicon Valley executives also need an electronic charging station for their Tesla or Smart Car.
Yet beyond cars, these massive garages also serve as a place for craftsman hobbies and bonus storage, creating room for everything from holiday décor to jet skis and Tahoe toys.
From stylish media rooms and detailed wine cellars to outdoor kitchens and personal spas today’s high-end buyer seeks a home that maximizes space for a wide range of wants and needs.
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