In the world of luxury real estate, buyers are after not only the highest quality home, but the highest quality lifestyle. That lifestyle, which has traditionally been focused on aesthetics, is now expanding to include health and wellness. Wealthy home buyers are after top-notch properties with the trendiest décor, as well as a bit more substance – posh hotel caliber amenities that inspire, pamper and support wellness.
So, what are some of the most desirable amenities that luxe buyers hope to find in their prospective homes? We’ve compiled a list showcasing 8 health and wellness features that are sure to make buyers feel more centered and take your property’s value significantly higher than that of the average luxury estate.
1. Sauna
When you’re an affluent member of society seeking refuge from the exhausting, fast-paced world, there’s nowhere you would rather unwind after a long day than your own personal sauna. A sauna is optimal for opening pores, removing toxins from the body, promoting weight loss and offering the ultimate relaxation experience. The average 4 person custom-built cedar sauna costs between $5,000 and $10,000, with important factors to consider, including the heating source, which can be the most expensive component.
2. Meditation Room
A quiet and peaceful place dedicated to self-reflection, meditation rooms are all about improving your emotional well-being. They are rapidly increasing in popularity among the rich and famous, with some meditation rooms even including a virtual reality component – using technology to transport you to a tranquil place perfect for your meditation practice. Creating your own meditation space can be easy and is a great way to boost a home’s appeal.
3. Yoga Studio
Yoga and Pilates are two of the most popular workouts among the upper class. For those who are committed to their fitness regimes, having an in-house studio is a next level perk, offering a space for one-on-one sessions with instructors and 24/7 opportunities to practice, all from the comfort of home. Studios can be indoor or outdoor, depending on the buyer’s preferences and the structure of the home.
4. Deluxe Kitchen
In order to cook (or have their personal chefs cook) the healthiest and most delicious meals possible, the world’s elite demand the highest caliber of appliances. Sub-zero refrigerators to keep food fresh, steam ovens to retain food’s vitamins and minerals, and the best juicers and blenders are musts. Some buyers are also charmed by the presence of wood fire pizza ovens and dreamy outdoor kitchens.
5. Zen Garden
The ultimate chill zone, a zen garden or “zen den” is characterized by abundant greenery, precious stones, crystals, gravel or sand in swirling patterns and other elements of nature and spirituality. These tranquil spaces are especially popular in big cities such as New York and Chicago and are often situated on the rooftops of luxury high rise apartments, where dwellers wish to seek refuge from the concrete jungle that surrounds.
6. Spa
High on the wish list for a-list buyers everywhere, an in-house massage room or spa is the ideal place to enjoy a treatment from your on-call masseuse, a facial or wax from your esthetician, a touch-up on your highlights, or your regular Botox treatment. Why leave the house when you can get pampered in the finest facility in town, located just down the hall?
7. Organic Garden
These days, people with conscious minds and deep pockets are going the extra mile to reduce their carbon footprints. Shopping for locally sourced and organic produce is great, but nothing beats growing your own organic vegetables in your own home garden. Having a space specifically dedicated to sustainable gardening is a huge draw for buyers striving to feel good about themselves and make a difference for the planet.
8. Oxygen Chamber
This is a next level luxury for the fitness obsessed buyer – especially trendy among athletes in need of muscle recovery. Cryotherapy (cold therapy) and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which both use freezing air to increase the amount of oxygen that the blood can carry, are relatively new technologies that promote health and increase longevity. The oxygen pods retail for between $12,000 and $20,000, so this energy boosting treatment is available only to those for whom money is no object.
In such a competitive market, it’s more important than ever to be on top of consumer demands. We hope that these ideas provide you with some insight into what today’s top-tier buyers are looking for, as well as help you better understand your property’s value and determine whether adjustments or renovations could be made in order to help you stand out from the competition.
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