At UtahLuxury.com we understand that people want to see beautiful homes. If it isn't luxurious then it doesn't belong here. So we put together a list of what features a luxury home in Utah should have.
1.
Location - The obvious real estate law will never go away. Every home that has ever sold is a direct result of where the home is located. When people look to purchase a home the two most commonly used formulas are price and location. In the high-end world, prices are already assessed so location is everything.
2.
Curb Appeal - Whether online or actually driving by the home, nothing gets people into the home faster than the excitement about the outside of the home. What do buyers see when looking at the home? Here is a quick run-down of what they will see. 1. Style of Home 2. Landscaping 3. Driveway style (this is actually very important) 4. Accessibility (How many steps to the front door? Do you have to take the groceries upstairs from the garage?) 5. Garages (How many? How Tall?)
3.
Entryway - Nothing says wow more than entering a home and instantly seeing something amazing. In Southern Utah it is becoming more common to see homes where the back of the home is a wall of windows. This allows the visitor to see straight out to the backyard from the entryway. In Park City, many homes enter into the family room where soaring vaulted ceilings are lined with beautiful cut timbers. Make a statement fast in your entryway.
4.
Kitchens - This has become the North American gathering place. Please focus a lot of attention in the room that sees the most people. Kitchens of late have become so advanced that you can match the style of it to your car, your furniture, the Jetsons and even a pirate ship (just saw one the other day). Spend some time creating a masterpiece that will entertain.
5.
The Master Bedroom - The people that are going to purchase your home are also the ones living in it. Make sure that this room has ample space to fit all the latest necessities. What views are from this room? Is this going to be a dream come true for the buyer? If you yourself have any doubts about the design of this room... stop before you start. I have seen countless people walk away from beautiful homes because they couldn't see themselves in this very important room.
6.
The Backyard - This is a two part answer because Utah two separate climates. In northern Utah, people expect a luxury home to have open space. Please don't build a million+ dollar home that backs right up to another home. The backyards in Park City are normally open and allow for wildlife. In Salt Lake and Utah Counties, buyers expect to see 3 areas. 1. An entertaining area (outdoor barbecues, room for dining tables) 2. An area for kids to run and play and 3. A place to escape to. (This may be where the hot tub is). In Southern Utah it is becoming very common to see luxury homes with extravagant swimming pools. You will also find custom outdoor fireplaces and firepits.
7.
The Theater - In Utah, every new high-end is designed with a theater. It is hotly debated over whether to place the theater under the garage in a secluded quiet spot or to make a theater out of a family room where people can freely hang out. You make the call on this one but see to it that your home has one and make it a good one.
8.
The Garage - This area of the home seems to get overlooked... a lot. First of all, how hard is it to get into the garage? Will you have to make a 30 point turn to get in? How many cars can you fit? Is there room for a boat? An RV? Tools? Motorcycles? I recently toured several, (more affordable) homes that visibly only had 2-3 car garages. Once inside these behemoth garages you would find that you could store 4-5 cars, motorcycles, toys, lawn equipment... the works. I was in awe!
9.
The Master Closet and Bathroom - Ok, going back to the master, these areas have become more and more luxurious as new homes have been built. The master closet is now either the size of a room on its own, or is split into two very large size closets. The master bath is hard to call because it depends on the style and design of the house. But know this, people will perceive whether or not the home has a good common theme or design based on what goes into this room.
10.
The Common Areas - Believe it or not, this feature is more important to many people than the size or number of bedrooms in a home. Why? This is what the guest will see. If your guest comes to visit, where do they go? The family room. If the guest needs to use the restroom, a designer half bath will make an impact. Wide hallways will make the home feel bigger. A grand staircase will make a grand statement.
P.S. In an effort to help create a greener world, always keep in mind how to do these things in a way that will not only make your world better but those in the generations to come.
