Luxury Home Digest» luxury homes

The Luxury of Multi-Generational Living

Roberta Murphy — Tue, 03 May 2011 02:56:57 +0000

More and more, we are receiving requests for homes in San Diego that will accommodate all living generations in a family. It’s an emerging trend and one which might grab the attention of builders in years to come.

Much of the recent regrouping of families, thanks to a dismal economy, comes from boomerang kids. There are estimates that over 50 percent of recent college grads are returning home to live –mostly because of financial constraints and employment issues. At another end of the family spectrum are young working couples with babies and small children who need a “Nana” to help care for the kids in a loving way. So in moves Mom or Grandma–if a downstairs bedroom and bath or entire apartment is available.

Then we have the “Sandwich Generation” who may provide and care for both their own older children as well as aging and possibly disabled parents. We see more of this all the time. A widowed parent, a grown child (or two) come to live with the logical choice and suddenly….a differently-configured home is needed. Where three years earlier a couple dreamed of a cozy condo by a sparkling beach, they are now a searching for a single level home with secluded master bedroom and a guest house that will accommodate the ~~son home from college,~~ ~~his grandmother~~ needs of the now-expanded family.

Which brings us to the wish-list of those who have unexpected expansions in their families:

A larger single level home. The middle part of the sandwich thought they would be exchanging stairs for an elevator when they moved to that Miami or La Jolla condo. Now they just want a master suite that insulates them from the grown kid’s music and entertainment choices–and offers the older parent privacy of his or her own. Besides, Grandma may not do stairs–and nobody wants to listen to bass Dub-Step beats from the grown son or daughter’s elaborate speaker system at midnight.
A guest house. Or granny flat. Or garage apartment. SOMETHING that prevents the older and younger parts of the sandwich from inflaming each other.
Privacy for all. This may be the toughest wish and one that needs fulfilling at least once in awhile. A family compound with separate homes for each would be ideal, but more modest circumstances require accommodation. Stay out of each others’ bedrooms unless invited and try to establish separate areas for independent activities.

Depending upon circumstances, these blended families may also want to discuss financial, maintenance and upkeep responsibilities–and who takes care of what. And these are likely new issues for current generations of Americans. In prior generations and in other cultures, it is recognized that infants, children, the disabled and the elderly may need the care of those in between. It is simple knowledge that given a full life, we will all pass through most of these stages and it is incumbent upon the able-bodied to take care of more helpless family members.

As they say, what goes around, comes around–and is all part of the circle of life.

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25 Most Expensive Zip Codes

Roberta Murphy — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:37:13 +0000

by Roberta Murphy

Luxury Home Mail Delivery

There may be lots of dismal news about the real estate economy, but there is still lots of interest in the luxury home market–and curiosity about the most expensive zip codes for median home prices. Ever on top of these things, Forbes.com has compiled a list of the top 500 zip codes in the country and which certainly reach beyond the dominating states of California and New York.

The top 25 most expensive zip codes are controlled by California with 13 and New York with 10. New Jersey and Maryland each have one. Money and wealth, it seems, appear to gravitate toward the West or East coasts.

In the list below, cities are zip code specific and median prices are shown. Note that in some cases ranking may be separated by only a few thousand (or hundred) dollars.

1.	Duarte, CA	91008	$4,276,462
2.	Atherton, CA	94026	$4,010,200
3.	Rolling Hills, CA	90274	$3,892,456
4.	Alpine, NJ	07620	$3,814.885
5.	New York, NY	10014	$3,785,445
6.	Beverly Hills, CA	90210	$3,684,150
7.	New York, NY	10065	$3,626,001
8.	Belvedere, CA	94920	$3,283,269
9.	New York, NY	10012	$3,221,371
10.	Santa Barbara, CA	93108	$3,151,220
11.	Old Westbury, NY	11568	$3,110,769
12.	New York, NY	10013	$3,101,848
13.	Rancho Santa Fe, CA	92067	$3,055,740
14.	Hidden Hills, CA	91302	$3,055,538
15.	Los Altos, CA	94022	$3,048,846
16.	Newport Beach, CA	92661	$3,036,601
17.	Watermill, NY	11976	$3,006,849
18.	Los Altos Hills, CA	94024	$2,974,058
19.	Bridgehampton,	11932	$2,959,231
20.	Hillsborough, CA	94010	$2,948,423
21.	Mill Neck, NY	11765	$2,835,000
22.	New York, NY	10003	$2,925,587
23.	Gibson Island, MD	21056	$2,765,385
24.	Malibu, CA	90265	$2,730,577
25.	New York, NY	10021	$2,671.667

© roberta for Luxury Home Digest, 2010. | Permalink | 7 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: 92067, expensive homes, expensive zip codes, luxury homes, luxury real estate, rancho santa fe

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Sometimes a Luxury Home Just…Isn’t

Roberta Murphy — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 04:26:22 +0000

Oh Dear…

Sacramento Luxury Real Estate

Yesterday, good friend and Sacramento real estate broker Gena Riede declined to take a $2 million listing in Whitney Oaks–located in Rocklin, just outside Sacramento. The home has magnificent views, is in a fine golf course neighborhood, and offers over 7000 square feet of potential living area.

This was a listing appointment that Gena had prepared for in detail. She had reserved space here for an article about the property, had made arrangements for us to leave information about the home with top luxury brokers in Northern Europe when there later this month, and had a professional photographer on stand-by.

Gena leaves little to chance.

The floor plan, unfortunately, turned out to be a bit illogical with unspecified rooms at the entry level and an enormous living room and foyer upstairs. The master bedroom was surprisingly small with an adjoining bath that was surprisingly large with sink perched on black-lacquered 2×4′s. There were gaps in drywall around electrical outlets and cracks at drywall joints. The general impression was one of an unfinished home.

This, in short, is NOT a luxury home. It is a project-in-process that demands to either be either professionally finished–or sold to someone who can see it to completion. And given that other smaller and finished homes have sold in this fine Sacramento neighborhood for less than $1 million, it is an improbability that this unfinished property will sell at a luxury home price.

Gena Riede is Sacramento’s premier luxury real estate broker–and is willing to professionally represent true luxury homes in the Sacramento real estate market. She can be reached at 916-417-2699 or at gena@genasell.com

Advice to luxury home sellers: Make sure that your home and it finishes match luxury home standards in your community and neighborhood. Don’t expect the potential buyer of your home to finish it for you.

© roberta for Luxury Home Digest, 2010. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: gena riede, luxiry real estate, luxury homes, sacramento. homes

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Luxury Above La Costa

Roberta Murphy — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:47:27 +0000

by Roberta Murphy

At San Diego Previews, we deal with a number of people who are relocating to the San Diego area. They may be from from the East Coast, the desert, Bay area, Midwest or Europe, but all have pretty specific ideas about the lifestyle they anticipate in sunny Southern California.

Many of these seekers are seasoned and affluent home buyers–ones who can be pretty specific about the features they want in their next home. Their demands might very well include:

A formal and separate entry with natural stone or wood flooring.
An office off that lovely entry
Formal dining room with outside patio for al fresco meals.
In Southern California, a great room with fireplace off the spacious and well-equipped kitchen. Great for wine and cheese soirees, family fun and casual entertaining.
At least one bedroom with full bath on ground level.
Spacious master suite with balcony for sunset wine sipping–and spa bath with jetted tub. Huge closet also a plus!
Outdoor kitchen for year-round entertaining is a must.
Some want pools and some don’t, but most would like a private rear yard large enough to accommodate one.

We have recently listed a newer 5 bedroom, 4.5-bath home at 7289 Calle Conifera in Carlsbad, which offers all these features and more–including a butler’s pantry, large laundry room, 3 fireplaces, Brazilian cherry and polished travertine flooring, granite surfaces, 3-car garage, 4225 square feet, and numerous other custom upgrades. This La Costa Oaks listing is also in the highly desired San Dieguito school district, has reasonable taxes– and a price tag of just $1,150,000.

© roberta for Luxury Home Digest, 2009. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: carlsbad, homes, la costa, la costa oaks, luxury, real estate, san diego, san dieguito

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Moving a Luxury Home

Roberta Murphy — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 22:06:36 +0000

The move from a luxury home can be a daunting one–especially when grand pianos, snooker tables and valuable art need to be both carefully packed, insured and moved into new abodes.

One of our readers, Kirstie Birkewitz, is not only a writer, but co-owner of a careful moving company in San Diego–and has some excellent tips for luxury home relocation

Specialists are needed to make the event a success!

Moving a luxury home successfully is similar to planning a large wedding. Both events have many moving parts, (no pun intended,) and both require specialists to help you make your events successful.

When Moving a Luxury Home, Find Specialty Movers For Key Items in Your Home

When moving a luxury household, it is important to do some advance planning, just as one would do with a wedding. Most luxury homes have very expensive furnishings that require specialized care in knowing how to pack move. It is recommended to contact moving specialists, much as you would contact wedding specialists such as a caterer, a florist and a local band. (...)
Read the rest of Moving a Luxury Home (437 words)

© roberta for Luxury Home Digest, 2009. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: home, luxury, mover, real estate, relocation

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The Ultimate Valentine Bath

Roberta Murphy — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 03:56:22 +0000

Proposed by Roberta Murphy

Lighted Bath Tub

It’s probably unrealistic to wish for one of these on Valentine’s Eve, but it never hurts to dream (or hint!).

I love the sexy looks of Jan Puylaaert’s illuminated tub, but Kohler with its patented SOK Tub for Two probably takes the honors. Note how it can be filled from an overhead fixture—and how champagne bubbles are generated with the touch of a switch.

Kohler’s exquisitely designed and oversized infinity-edged bathtub easily accommodates two with its generous overflow allowance, and also offers the chromatherapy benefits of eight changing color hues. The colors can run in a blending order starting with cleansing white that shades to purple, indigo, and aqua blue followed by green, yellow, orange and red. Each color reportedly has its own healing benefits.

This is probably as close to bathing heaven as one can get for around $6,000. and would be a fabulous addition to any luxury home that caters to both body and spirit.

For other decadent gifts, see:

The Illuminated Bathtub

Ultimate Phone for the Luxury Bath

The Ultimate Bedroom TV

Sonos: The Decadent Sound System

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And Just What Is A Luxury Home?

Roberta Murphy — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 01:12:21 +0000

Luxury Home Defined

by Roberta Murphy

It is a tough task in relativity to define a luxury home.

One’s perspective has as much to do with the definition as does the opulence, location or architectural significance of a particular property. One man’s simple home is another man’s castle, and vice versa.

Perhaps it is easier to consider what a luxury home is not. It is not a cookie cutter home in a subdivision tract, even if it is magnificently appointed. Why? It is probably lacking in presence, in architectural originality and may very well be lacking in coveted location.

New subdivisions throughout affluent communities are abounding in 5000 square foot stacked boxes with crown moldings, coffered ceilings and granite surfaces. The prices may reach seven figures, but do they really qualify as luxury homes? I have argued this with other luxury home specialists, and as soon as we agree upon a particular standard, exceptions to the rule emerge.

I am one of several directors with Windermere Exclusive Properties’ Distinctive Properties division in San Diego, CA. Luxury real estate in San Diego County is our specialty. It is our task to collectively approve or disapprove a listed property for that coveted “Luxury Home” designation.

It has proven to be a sometimes-difficult task. Price alone does not distinguish that status. It is location, property entry, arhcitecture, decor, decadent amenities, entertainment capability, lovely grounds and myriad other details that help a home stand out from the ordinary. A supersized McMansion does not qualify as a luxury home, unless it has the requisite extras, superior location and a view…perhaps. Or what about a cute $2 million cottage in Malibu that lacks both architectural clout and luxe surfaces? Does exquisite location make up for a dated or tacky interior? An architecturally significant home on a Midwestern prairie might qualify, even though it lacks in modern opulence.

As discerning and honest luxury real estate professionals, we believe we know one when we see it–especially when the home has all the markings of luxury, location and panache. What I am hoping occurs within this site is the discussion and display of luxury homes. I hope we can discuss trends, touches and tools that help to define the luxury home and luxury living. I am hoping we hear not only from Realtors, but from interior designers, builders, home stagers and other seasoned professionals who contribute to the luxurious homefront.

And from this continuing interchange, perhaps we can develop ongoing relationships where we can share information, ideas, trends–and perhaps even referrals to those professionals we will have come to know and respect.

© roberta for Luxury Home Digest, 2006. | Permalink | 9 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: luxury estate, luxury home, luxury real estate, mansion, san diego luxury home, san diego luxury real estate

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