8 things buyers crave in a luxury home

Published Date: January 6, 2023

Front Entry Shadybrook
Every home buyer has a wish list. But when you’re shopping for a luxury second home, you can dare to dream big. Here’s our dreamy list of crave-worthy luxury home features — plus peeks inside some ultra-luxurious Pacaso homes. 

The ideal location 

Ask a luxury home buyer about their dream second home destination and you’ll get a wide variety of answers. Many prefer to be near the water, whether that means an oceanfront stunner or a cozy lake cabin. Others desire a mountain escape, perhaps with ski-in, ski-out access to their favorite winter resort. Still others want a second home in an area where they can pursue their favorite hobbies — think a golf resort home, a retreat in wine country, or an urban loft near restaurants and entertainment. Pacaso pick: We have homes in some of the most sought-after second home destinations (check out our current locations), and it's impossible to choose a favorite ... but we never get bored with the endless ocean views at Aquamarine in Malibu.
Aquamarine view
Pacaso listing: Aquamarine - Malibu, CA

An open floor plan

There are many advantages to a second home with an open floor plan. Modern, open floor plans allow plenty of natural light to enter the home and give the main living area an oversized, airy feel. Open floor plans are also great for entertaining. Picture yourself cooking a gourmet dinner for your guests while they relax in the living room or on the adjacent patio. Pacaso pick: All of our homes are designed with livable luxury in mind. Amber's spacious great room is inviting, open and incorporates a tasteful pop of color.
living room in palm springs
Pacaso listing: Amber - Palm Springs, CA

Outdoor living

Ample outdoor space is a must-have for true luxury living. After all, when you buy a home in a gorgeous destination, you want to be able to soak up the stunning views from every possible vantage point. Expertly designed luxury homes seamlessly connect indoor and outdoor spaces. On the wish list may be folding patio doors that give you a full wall of windows when the weather’s not so great, and an inviting indoor-outdoor space when the sun is shining. Swimming pools, hot tubs and outdoor kitchens top the list of luxury home features for many people shopping for second homes in warm-weather destinations. If you enjoy an active lifestyle, a tennis or basketball court, putting green, or bocce ball court is an add-on worth considering. Pacaso pick: Why stay inside when you can bask in a tropical breeze beneath a row of palm trees? Relax, cook, dine and entertain al fresco in this luxury Fort Lauderdale home.
Outdoor living
Prospect listing: Fort Lauderdale, FL

A gourmet kitchen 

Nothing says luxury quite like a gourmet kitchen. Homeowners who love to cook and bake will likely have a few key kitchen features on their wish list: professional-grade appliances, graciously sized islands and custom cabinetry topped with quartz, granite, or marble. Of course, luxury add-ons like wine and beverage fridges, espresso stations and smart home connectivity are nice, too. Pacaso pick: Olive Grove is a chef's dream, with top-of-the-line appliances and views of vineyards and the home's namesake olive trees for culinary inspiration.
olive grove kitchen
Pacaso listing: Olive Grove - Healdsburg, CA

A spa-like bathroom 

A bathroom is so much more than a place to get ready in the morning. In a luxury home, it’s more like a five-star spa. Today’s luxury home buyers crave the types of amenities that help them relax, unwind and pamper themselves. Steam showers, freestanding soaking tubs, designer lighting and heated floors are just a few of the most popular luxury home features buyers crave.  Pacaso pick: Every day is a spa day in Fairhaven's stunning en suite bath, which offers an oval soaking tub, extra-large shower and your own private sauna.
bathroom in florida
Pacaso listing: Fairhaven - Miami, FL

Space for entertaining

Time spent in a luxury home is even better with friends and family. Home buyers in the luxury market are looking for ample space to entertain, both indoors and outdoors. What kind of space that is depends on the buyer’s idea of a good time. Is it a gourmet dinner party in a sophisticated dining room? A wood-fired pizza night outdoors by the pool? An afternoon spent in the game room for some friendly competition? Pacaso pick: Give your dinner guests an a-list experience at Emerald, with a stunning dining table and massive island to provide formal or cocktail seating for your most special friends and family.
Kitchen in Vail
Pacaso listing: Emerald - Vail, CO

Home automation

Whole-home systems make luxury living easier, safer and more convenient. A smart system can be programmed to adjust the temperature, lighting, and security for when you wake up, when you arrive home and when you go to bed. Staying up late? Make changes effortlessly through an app or smart speaker. Other smart luxury home features include whole-house speaker systems and central vacuums. Home automation provides the convenience and ease many luxury home buyers crave. Pacaso pick: Our smart-tech enabled homes provide you with comfort and convenience for a more effortless ownership experience.
Person with iPad on couch

Ample storage 

A place for everything and everything in its place. From Pinterest-worthy walk-in closets to pantries designed for serious chefs, storage is key, even in a second home. Pacaso pick: Every Pacaso has a dedicated, secure storage space so you can leave some of your belongings in the home even when you’re not using it. And at Shadybrook, there's no need to pack light, with this dream closet and dressing room for all your favorite frocks.
walk in closet in napa
Pacaso listing: Shadybrook - Napa, CA

Discover your ideal luxury lifestyle with Pacaso 

No matter what’s on your list of must-have luxury home features, it’s likely you’ll find it in a Pacaso second home. Every Pacaso is designed with luxury in mind and features private, secure owner storage so you’ll always have the items you need at hand. Best of all, as a co-owner of a Pacaso home, luxury is within reach — at a fraction of the cost of whole second home ownership.  

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Jen Lyons


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