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The Luxurious Technology That’s Transforming High-End Homes
If you’ve got the means, here are tech features sure to dazzle in any property
We recently reviewed smart-home technology that was easily accessible and affordable at various price points, and thought it would be fun to review tech that’s at the higher end of home design. Since we’ve already covered the places you’d expect to see helpful tech – kitchens, bathrooms, and garages – there are plenty of other interesting ways architects and designers are creatively incorporating luxe tech throughout the home.
The Ups & Downs of Living the High Life
Elevators are common in larger vacation properties but they are becoming more popular in full-time residences as homeowners look for ways to avoid stairs in vertical homes, especially for owners who require mobility assistance, want to age-in-place, or for large families with strollers and supplies to ferry up and down. Michael Caporiccio of TK Elevators reports that installing a small, 3-stop elevator with a capacity of about 750 lbs. runs about $80,000, while a larger unit similar to the size in a public building with a capacity up to 2,000 lbs. could be as high as $150,000. Maintenance costs and repairs can be pricey, but for those who desire the ease of pushing a button and gliding to the top, a luxe lift is at the height of affluent abodes. Take a peek at this Clifton listing by Joan Reimann which features an elegant elevator.
What Are You Hiding?
Home bunkers have come a long way from Cold War Era basement enclosures, and from Panic Room to the recent Leave The World Behind, Hollywood loves to showcase how the upper echelon hides away their treasures – both material and personal. From a “safe room” where residents can protect themselves or their valuables from a home invasion or extreme weather event to entire wings of a home meant for sumptuous hiding out, security-conscious owners are adding protective home tech at an increasing pace. According to Mansion Global, costs can range from $30,000 to $80,000 for high-end vaults, $50,000 to $300,000 for basic armored rooms, and over $1M for elaborate constructions – usually in a home’s basement or dug deep into the ground elsewhere on a property. But not all hideaways have to be over-the-top: see if you can spot the tidy hidden room in this current McLean listing, represented by Chris Pritchard and Barbara Patton.
Climate-controlled wine vault in Capitol Hill Rowhouse listed by Lisa Coutts with Cher Castillo & Co.
Where Everybody Knows Your Name
Who needs a night on the town when you can serve the best drinks in town at your deluxe watering hole? Wine rooms and cellars and their tech-forward features have been de rigueur for luxury homes but in-home posh pubs are gaining ground. No longer relegated to tucked-away bar carts or basement “man caves,” these entertaining areas add a dash of glamour and style with high-tech twists, courtesy of temperature regulators, automated home brewing machines, expert mixing gadgets, and saucy cocktail apps. Check out both the sleek bar and elegant wine room in this McLean listing represented by Sara Fox and the lavish tasting room in this Leesburg home listed by Jackie Wynn…cheers!
Grab Some Popcorn and Take a Seat
No tech-forward dwelling is complete without a home theater and there are as many ways to outfit the space as there are entertainment options. Bespoke electronic systems – including TV, home cinema, audio, mood lighting, and VR gear – can be used by all members of the family and add engaging activities to any gathering. Advances in electronics move faster than most other home tech so it’s worth it to keep up with trends from experts at CES, which just held its annual conference and showcased some of the newest TV advances, including features like transparent screens, a 115” model and even a foldable TV! Try out the funky media room in this Purcellville listing by Thadd Kezar and dream about what you might add.
The Great Outdoors
Outdoor space is getting a LOT of attention at the moment, perhaps from when we were sequestered during the pandemic or as a way to maximize all the space of a property. And while the ole backyard might not seem like a place for high-tech, there are opportunities to add a bit of science to the flora & fauna. From spa-worthy pools to al fresco kitchens to eco-friendly gardens, outdoor spaces are being lavished with luxe touches. For an example of sublime outdoor spaces, spend some time with this serene oasis in The Plains, courtesy of Kevin Chung, the tiki bar and putting green at this Alexandria listing by Rebecca McCullough, and the expansive bucolic views from this Front Royal estate – with space for a helicopter or an RV! – listed by Anne McIntosh & Maria Eldredge.
Whether your budget allows for the maximum inclusion of state-of-the-art features & finishes or you’re more modest with the luxe touches, the opportunities to test out home tech can be found for every room of your home at every price point. Let an experienced McEnearney | Middleburg Real Estate | Atoka Properties Associate guide you to the home that fits your needs and speed!
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Must-Have Smart Tech Features That Are Affordable For Any Home
Upgrading technology in your home doesn’t need to be expensive or difficult to incorporate.
The 2024 Spring Housing Market has already taken off, with declining interest rates bringing many homebuyers off the sidelines and into the purchasing game. Sellers are preparing their homes for eager buyers and are learning what features will attract the most offers at the highest price. And while fresh paint and gleaming floors will always be pleasing to see in a home, there’s one thing that savvy buyers are asking for more than anything else: convenient, integrated, and affordable Smart Tech throughout the home.
We polled our McEnearney colleagues to find out what the easiest and most popular features are that are mentioned by their clients to make life easier, energy efficient, and, in some cases, fun!
Tom Hallex, a key member of McEnearney’s Digital Resources team, has incorporated many of the most common and inexpensive gadgets in his own home, including a Nest doorbell and door lock which allows for remote access to view visitors to your property and access into your home; a myQ garage-door opener that allows for individualized PIN code access and visual access to confirm activity around the garage entry; smart-outlets like Enbrighten that work with a home’s wi-fi for remote on/off control and customizable adjustments with voice or app commands; and even a wi-fi linked microwave for under $200!
Realtor Sean McEnearney is also a fan of smart-USBs after working with a tech-savvy seller client. “I was selling a townhome for a client a few years ago and there was a lot of work that needed to be done before we put it on the market, especially in the kitchen and master bath,” Sean recounts. “He replaced a few outlets and had the electrician install outlets that included USB receptacles as well as the typical electric outlets. He had them installed in the master bedroom and bath as well. It was a small thing, but a thoughtful add-on that impressed me.”
Rookie Realtor Rachel O has been learning what’s on the Tech Must-Have list for buyers, including her own husband who wanted at minimum a smart thermostat and the aforementioned USB plugs incorporated into the outlets. But it’s understanding what younger buyers, who have grown up with accessibility at their fingertips, want in a home that keeps her alert to tech trends and what makes for a quick sale.
“I’ve seen a lot of new construction homes that have (common tech gadgets) included and my newlywed first-time homebuyers in their early 30s do seem to have an expectation and preference for these inclusions. I believe if an older home had them, they would likely be more inclined to purchase,” O shared. “The best thing I’ve seen thus far is a smart oven that allows you to preheat your oven from your cell phone so that you can start it on your way home from work and then immediately pop in your food to be cooked.”
Moving up the chain to affordable luxury, Top Producer Realtor Susan Tull O’Reilly cited a recent sale that had a built-in wine cooler with select zones for different types of wines, even in a small space: colder on the bottom and less chilled on top. A quick search shows that there are intricate builds for the expert sommelier but even vino neophytes can find tech-enabled options that offer climate-centric options in a small package, ranging from the $200 range to up and above $4,000.
In a sign of must-haves to come, Realtor Christine Robinson is seeing more and more homeowners investing in tech like electric vehicle (EV) chargers – popular in both sales and rentals – that range in price from $300-700. Search recent home listing descriptions and you’re likely to see this feature spotlighted as a selling point and some sellers are willing to add them for on-the-fence buyers. She’s seen clients who both want and loathe solar panels but the trend toward sustainable construction means solar technology will continue to be a factor in home improvements.
One of the tech features mentioned most often by our agents were home generators, both portable generators that sell for an affordable $300 and up, and standby generators which are professionally installed and cost between $5,000-$7,000.
Read more here about tech features in high-end homes that are popular with luxury buyers. Be ready to be dazzled! In the meantime, if you would like a tech-savvy agent to assist you with insight into what appeals to buyers and sellers in this busy market, reach out to a McEnearney | Middleburg Real Estate | Atoka Properties Associate to get the right home ecosystem for your needs.
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