Luxury Communities

What are the new trends in luxury home communities?

If you are searching for a home in a luxury community with a little something different, keep reading. Although the country club and golf communities are certain to remain popular choices for years to come, a new breed of luxury home communities is cropping up to meet the growing needs of a younger generation. Here are a few examples:

Vintage luxury home communities. These combine the modern convenience of technology and access with the charm of yesterday to create the perfect blend of family values, community and luxurious living.

Private Reserve luxury home communities. Ecologically pristine, these luxury home communities are the perfect choice for the environmentally conscious home buyer who enjoys the beauty of nature.

Equestrian communities. Horse lovers will welcome the return of the gentleman's farm to the luxury home market. Riding trails and equestrian complex combine with elegance for a luxury home community with a noble tradition.

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What do I need to rent my luxury home?

Luxury home rentals can be a profitable endeavor but only if you understand the market and needs of the potential renter. Unlike standard housing, luxury home rentals cater to a completely different type of renter. Cost is not a consideration but rather convenience and amenities. The luxury home rental market is not an area for the "do-it-yourself" type; professionalism is required at every stage. If you are thinking of listing your home as a luxury home rental follow these quick tips:

• Work with a real estate professional. Whether searching for a luxury home rental or listing your luxury home for rent, the services of an experienced real estate professional are critical. Negotiations, appointments and coordination of services are just a few of the invaluable services the professional will handle on your behalf.

• Find a top-notch interior designer. First impressions mean everything and your luxury home rental property must remain appealing yet neutral.

• Gardener, pool maintenance and cleaning services should be included. A qualified real estate professional who specializes in luxury home rentals is your best option for locating these necessary services. Make sure they are licensed, bonded, insured and have security clearance. Only the most professional and reliable vendors should be considered.

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What are the most luxurious communities in the nation?

Interested in buying or building a luxury custom home? Don't make the mistake of being the most expensive home in the neighborhood. Remember, when it comes time to resell your home, it will be appraised in relation to the surrounding properties. Make sure your home retains its full value by locating communities that specialize in luxury custom homes.

Not sure where to search? According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the following are the most luxurious areas in the nation:

• Manhattan Beach
• Rolling Hills Estates
• Pacific Palisades
• Beverly Hills
• Brentwood
• Calabasas
• Malibu
• Santa Monica

In fact, one method of increasing the value of your home even in a declining real estate market is to be the least expensive home among luxury estate homes. The location alone will increase the value of your home since new luxury homes are averaged into the data with modest priced existing homes.

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What are the luxury home green trends?

New luxury home buyers place a premium on environmentally friendly, health conscious building and design. Three primary considerations are driving the latest shift from conspicuous consumption to sustainability:

Personal health and well-being. Water filtration, solarium, fitness room and personal spa are just a few of the most sought after amenities in the luxury home market. Luxury home owners want to remain healthy and vital in the convenience of their own home.

Environmental consciousness. Passive solar, bamboo flooring, marble bathrooms, energy efficient appliances and alternative energy sources are only a few of the environmentally friendly - and cost effective - choices new luxury home builders are able to work with.

Back to Basics. Beautiful views of nature, hand forged ironworks, natural stone, outdoor kitchens and a renewed emphasis on natural beauty and craftsmanship are rapidly replacing gold plated toilets. Comfortable living that is good for the body, mind and environment is at the heart of the new luxury home market.

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Is Your Luxury Community At Risk?

Luxury homes are a great investment but caution is still advisable especially when considering new luxury home communities. Nothing places your home at greater risk than rows of empty homes with "for sale" or worse, "for rent" signs sitting in the front yard month after month. The problem isn't luxury home communities per se but actually the borderline financial situation of recent investors and home buyers.

In recent years, investors and marginal applicants have used sub-prime mortgages, negative amortization loans and other financial instruments to purchase luxury homes they really cannot afford. All was well as long as interest rates remain low and housing prices continue to increase at double digit rates each year, but as soon as the market cools, those same buyers are often caught off guard. Unable to sustain the payments, liquidation isn't far behind. Unfortunately, empty homes and foreclosures put your investment at risk as well.

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to protect your luxury real estate investment:

- Find out the number of owner occupied homes versus rental or investment homes.

- Work closely with a knowledgeable real estate professional who understands the local market and knows the history of the area.

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What are the top trends in luxury homes?

Thinking about building a new luxury home? Check out these top trends in luxury custom homes to make sure your home is as luxurious tomorrow as it is today.

1. Think Green. Solar, alternative energy, sustainable building materials and non-toxic building materials are just a few of the choices available to new luxury home builders.
2. Safe and Secure. Luxury home buyers recognize the need for safety and security. Whole house back-up generators, privacy measures, secure wireless home networks and state of the art security systems are just a few of the in-demand hot trends in the luxury home market.
3. Technology for Tomorrow. Telecommuters, home media rooms, whole house wireless networks for business and entertainment plus much more are just a few of the considerations to take into account when designing your new luxury home.
4. Fun and Fitness. Sauna, massage rooms, a home fitness facility and media room are just a few of the more popular choices among luxury home buyers. Home swim spa's or treadmill type pools such as an Endless Pool are also in high demand along with home theaters, pool and dart rooms or other relaxing favorites.
5. Inside Out. Big vistas, outdoor kitchens and solariums or greenhouses are popular choices as homeowners seek a more casual approach to entertaining.

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