Survey of million-dollar home owners shows what they want most

jayl23

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[From Remodeling Magazine, October 2013]

New Essentials
Survey of million-dollar home owners shows what they want most

Ninety-four percent of luxury home buyers would give up 1,000 square feet of living space in their next home if they could gain such trade-outs as living in a better neighborhood or getting a shorter commute, a new survey finds. The nationwide poll for Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate of 500 ?luxury home buyers??defined as people living in homes worth at least $1 million?was released on Sept. 11 and focused on must-have bath, kitchen, and home technology features.  In all cases, the online survey conducted by Wakefield Research asked respondents to list items they regard as ?essential? without defining exactly what that term meant.

Top responses in each category:

Bath: Multiple showerheads was the top choice, with 58% of respondents calling them essential in a luxury bathroom.  Following were a dedicated makeup and grooming space (50%), heated floors (46%), ports for digital music players (43%), a ?focal point? tub (43%), and a sauna or steam room (43%).

Kitchen: The No. 1 essential was ?extra? appliances, such as a built-in wine refrigerator or coffee maker. It was cited by 58% of respondents as essential. Then came islands with extra sinks or appliances (55%), an outdoor eating area(50%), granite countertops (49%), and a flat-screen TV (46%).

Home Technology: Seventy percent of respondents regarded a security system as essential in their next million-dollar home. Trailing security was an energy efficient washer/dryer (65%), smart thermostat (62%), home theater (55%), flush-mount wireless speakers (50%), home automation system (48%), and keyless entry (40%).

As for those trade-outs, 54% said they would give up 1,000 square feet of space to live in a better neighborhood, 51% would do it for a house with character, 44% OK?d a smaller home if it meant more land on their lot, 39% would do it for access to dining and entertainment, 38% for a shorter commute, and 35% would trade space for community amenities such as a country club.

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Bath: Multiple showerheads was the top choice, with 58% of respondents calling them essential in a luxury bathroom.  Following were a dedicated makeup and grooming space (50%), heated floors (46%), ports for digital music players (43%), a ?focal point? tub (43%), and a sauna or steam room (43%).

I want none of those.  What the heck am I going to do with multiple shower heads?  Just more things to break.  The dedicate makeup/grooming space is odd...unless they're talking about a dedicate room (which would make it silly).  Ports for digital music player is dumb because you should just buy a Bose Soundwave for $300.  The tub and sauna thing is just outright silly.

Kitchen: The No. 1 essential was ?extra? appliances, such as a built-in wine refrigerator or coffee maker. It was cited by 58% of respondents as essential. Then came islands with extra sinks or appliances (55%), an outdoor eating area(50%), granite countertops (49%), and a flat-screen TV (46%).

I like the island idea but don't care for built in appliances. 

Home Technology: Seventy percent of respondents regarded a security system as essential in their next million-dollar home. Trailing security was an energy efficient washer/dryer (65%), smart thermostat (62%), home theater (55%), flush-mount wireless speakers (50%), home automation system (48%), and keyless entry (40%).

Rich people are insecure...check.  I can see the desire for the rest of those.
 
I think the dedicated makeup/grooming space is like a vanity area where you can sit in front of a mirror and ask "Who is the prettiest of them all?".
 
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