Real estate encompasses the acquisition of a piece of land and any permanent man-made additions, such as houses and other buildings with the intent of using it for residential or commercial purposes to profit from possible capital growth and rental income. Real estate has high investment performance as compared to any other form of asset, therefore it is the most enticing form of financial asset for both homeowners and investors.. The definition of luxury has multiple meanings and it has evolved. The homes we dwell in have also undergone significant changes as a result of the changing times. In a time driven by global media, quick fashion cycles, and sustainability, luxury has emerged as a combative paradigm in architecture. The market for high-end residences, resorts, and other properties often distinguished by their premium features, superior quality, and unique facilities, is referred to as the luxury housing and real estate market. These properties are made to appeal to the affluent who can afford to invest in expensive homes or other properties. Today’s improved quality of life is evidence of a significant change in the lifestyle preferences of the current generation of distinguishing home purchasers. They expect and want much more than just a garden and four walls in the space they envision for themselves. This shift in consumer behavior has inspired designers to produce breathtaking works of art.

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$149 Million Royal Style Mansion, Caesarea, Israel_©robbreport.com

Characteristics of luxury properties

The demand for luxury residences persists despite the nation’s challenging economic climate and high inflation rates. Today’s tech-savvy generation has a stronger preference for luxury and comfort. As a result, there is a change in consumer behavior as they decide to invest a single sum of money in a house that is outfitted with contemporary comforts and ensures a luxurious living. Luxury real estate has a small but active customer base, and it exhibits certain characteristics that set it apart from the general real estate market.

Luxury homes are typically found in prominent and sought-after locales like upscale districts, waterfront residences, gated communities, or picturesque places. These areas frequently provide stunning vistas, easy access to amenities, and a feeling of seclusion and exclusivity. Due to additional rooms like pantries, laundry rooms, TV rooms, study areas, walk-in closets, and spacious balconies, residential constructions in the luxury market sector typically offer more space than typical house size. They could be sizable mansions, penthouses, villas, or estates with roomy interiors and opulent features like swimming pools, large private parking and garden space, home theaters, and sophisticated security systems. Specifications for architectural designs and finishing are included in the luxurious architectural and structural design. Due to their adherence to high and contemporary finishing standards and layouts that appeal to and are valued by the intended renters, luxury real estate exudes exclusivity. For instance, while typical homes might have flooring made of ceramic tiles, regular windows, and 7-foot ceilings, luxury apartments might include materials that are above average, including natural marble, bay windows, high ceilings, and ornate fireplaces, among other things.  

Modern luxury housing comes with all the necessary technology, allowing homeowners to regulate anything from home security to bath water temperature. Smart home automation systems, automatic lighting, and smart locks are some of these cutting-edge devices. With these solutions, the smart home app offers total control. Owners do not have to worry about turning on lights or appliances at home any more thanks to these systems because they can turn them off using an app. Luxury purchasers frequently look for homes that offer a high degree of seclusion, privacy, and security. Gated communities, sophisticated security measures, and covert property features might be examples of this.As owners become more concerned about environmental factors, luxury housing facilities that use energy-efficient technology, eco-friendly building materials, and sustainable design ideas are becoming more and more desirable.

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Interior finish of majestic villa in Sharjah_©Nada Shehab,www.behance.net

Why are luxury homes gaining popularity?

The majority of people in the wealthy market want to purchase a luxurious property mostly because it makes them feel proud and important. In some cases, owners want to demonstrate that they are leading the best lifestyle possible to the rest of the world. It is a comprehensive set of elements that promotes an opulent way of living. Superior Net Worth People view luxury residences as excellent financial opportunities.  The market is also observing a shift in mentality away from investing in real estate in multiple locations and toward choosing a suitable one-time investment that ensures lifetime luxury and settlement. As hybrid work cultures have become more prevalent, there has been an increase in the demand for larger homes with workstations. Luxury housing is famous among high-end clients because they prefer to have a second home as the concept of a second home is rising due to various reasons like lifestyle, hobbies and holidays, health care and quality of life, low living costs, real estate visas and tax advantages, ease of travel, etc.

Pricing and consumer trends

Sales of luxury residences in Indi rose by 18% in the top 7 regions in 2022. According to an Anarock report compared to only 14,050 units in these three regions in 2019, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Delhi-NCR, and Hyderabad sold a combined total of nearly 50,100 units of luxury residences in 2022. The real estate industry’s expansion in 2022 was mostly driven by the luxury market, and it is projected that this pattern would continue in 2023, affecting the perceptions of potential homebuyers.  

The COVID–19 pandemic issue has resulted in a rise in luxury real estate. The pandemic has intricately woven the concept of luxury real estate and quality of life and made it more interconnected. According to a market assessment, a 40 percent increase in revenue is anticipated for this market during the projection period because of improved demand for ultra-luxury residences priced above INR 5 crore, fueled by shifting requirements during the pandemic. Indiabulls Real Estate, Oberoi Realty, Brigade Group, Godrej Properties, and Oxame are a few of the leading firms in this area.

Sunteck Realty declared on March 31, 2021, that it has formed a joint venture with the local landowners of Mumbai for a 7-acre parcel in the Borivali neighborhood of Mumbai. This joint venture is creating a site for a high-end housing development. The land parcel is anticipated to have a total development potential of 1 million square feet, which may generate an estimated 1,750 crores in revenue. The company intends to transform this into a super-premium luxury residential complex through this joint venture.

One of India‘s major publicly traded real estate firms, DLF Ltd, reported sales of Rs 1,500 crore from the first phase of its eagerly awaited luxury residential project in New Delhi, ONE Midtown, in Q1 2022.

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Apartments ranging from INR 3.75-15.09 Cr DLF One Midtown,Delhi_©www.99acres.com

In 2030, the size of the global housing market is projected to reach $5.85 trillion, expanding at an enormous compound annual growth rate of 5.2% between 2022 and 2030. In 2022, the US job market was said to be comparatively steady with remote working conditions and cheaper mortgage rates for US residents resulting in an increase of sales in luxury housing and real estate by up to 41,6%. This extraordinary gain exceeded that of moderately priced real estate (5,9%) and cheap homes (7%) in 2021. Dubai retaining the top spot prices is expected to rise 13.5% in 2023. Second is Miami, Florida, where costs are anticipated to increase by 5%. Dublin, Lisbon, and Los Angeles are predicted to rise by 4%.

State of the Gulf Cooperation Council real estate_www.consultancy-me.com

References:

Financialexpress. (2023). A paradigm shift in luxury housing. [online] Available at: https://www.financialexpress.com/money/a-paradigm-shift-in-luxury-housing/3052487/

Jonathan (2021). Top Reasons to Buy a Luxury Property | Luxury Homes by Brittany Corporation. [online] Luxury Homes for Sale in the Philippines | Brittany Corporation. Available at: https://www.brittany.com.ph/blogs/top-reasons-to-buy-a-luxury-property

Julia (2015). 7 factors boosting the second home market. [online] CASAFARI The all-in-one real estate platform. Available at: https://www.casafari.com/insights/benefits-owning-luxury-second-home/ 

www.mordorintelligence.com. (n.d.). India Luxury Residential Real Estate Market Size & Share Analysis – Industry Research Report – Growth Trends. [online] Available at: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/india-luxury-residential-real-estate-market

Galo, G. (2023). 2022-2023 Luxury Real Estate Facts & Figures ǀ Truly Experiences. [online] Truly Experiences Blog. Available at: https://trulyexperiences.com/blog/luxury-real-estate/

Author

Nishi is an inquisitive architect based in Nepal who sees architecture as a powerful means of storytelling. With a genuine belief that just like every person, every building has a unique story to tell, she is passionate about unraveling these narratives and expressing them through her words.