Luxury real estate prices are always hot and soaring.
Many high-net-worth individuals are buying homes as a hard asset. And with the wealth of the world’s richest people growing, the potential market for luxury properties is larger than ever. If you want to get in on the action and can afford the steep price tag, here are several options for doing so.
Defining “Luxury Property”
It’s important to understand what features characterize a luxury property before you invest because a high price tag alone won’t put a property in this category. It has to be unique and exclusive, in a good way in a desirable way. People who are wealthy will pay a premium for something that’s perceived to be superior.
High-end buyers want access to luxury activities like high-end shopping, dining, and the arts, as well as proximity to other luxury homes. A trophy address, like Parklands in Nairobi county, adds value. Having a storied history doesn’t hurt, either.
Many luxury buyers seek the natural beauty of a waterfront location, or at least views of a river, ocean or lake. Others want the countryside or mountainside views.
High-end buyers want many of the same features that all buyers want, but on a grander scale. Most want privacy and security, sometimes to the point of seclusion. Others want beauty inside and out and can afford custom architecture, custom design, over-the-top attention to detail and opulent finishes.
They also want amenities on top of amenities: a chef’s kitchen, luxury pool, expansive master suite and outdoor living space, not to mention home automation, motion detectors, car lifts and temperature-controlled wine cellars. They also want space.
When choosing a luxury home, it’s extremely important to think about the aspects of the property that can’t be changed. You can’t change the path of the sun, the location of the ocean or the fact that there is a flight path for large aeroplanes over your head. Ugly wallpaper in the bathroom is far less important than the weather.
How Much Do You Need?
In markets where prices are generally lower, you could need as little as half a million to own a piece of luxury real estate. But you’ll need at least Kes 10 million to buy a luxury property in most major cities, and the entry price point goes up to where the cost of living is high.
Luxury buyers often pay cash, but a mortgage is another option. If you’re financing the purchase, you’ll need a large down payment, excellent credit, proof of income and assets and large cash reserves.
How to Do It: Your Options for Investing in Luxury Real Estate
If you want to invest in luxury real estate, there are several paths you can take.
Invest Internationally
Investing in luxury real estate abroad can have benefits you won’t find domestically. In some countries, there are no annual property taxes and no capital gains taxes on transferred property.
These places are a good place to invest because land prices have increased steadily over the last ten years and are expected to continue to do so thanks to rapidly increasing tourism and development. And you can earn additional income from your investment by renting it out while you’re away and letting a management company handle the details, he says.
Investing abroad can also have unique hassles. We have to remember that the rest of the world does not operate as we do in Kenya. You do not want to purchase a property in another country only to find out the government can take it back from you down the road. Use an international real estate attorney and other professionals to help with your due diligence.
Buy a Luxury Condo
Whether you’re buying a luxury condo for yourself or to rent out spending money on a home located in a great luxury building with amenity and transportation options nearby is the way to go. Buying in a luxury-looking building with poor transportation options is a poor investment.
The services and features the building offers can also make or break your investment. Don’t have a full-time doorman? Fine, but what else does your home offer? Views, high ceilings, terraces, all of these features help distinguish your home from other cookie-cutter apartments and can lead to a higher selling rate when it’s time to move out.
Keep in mind that when you’re buying luxury real estate, you’re buying a lifestyle. Private roof decks, swimming pools, common spaces with fitness centers, and maid service or hotel-style services distinguish luxury real estate. Even if there are other new condos built around the home you buy, these types of properties hold value.
Choose a High-End Vacation Rental Property
A luxury vacation rental can provide a wealth of benefits including asset appreciation, tax deductions, business networking opportunities, and most importantly, personal enjoyment.
Choosing a location with a typically strong market is key, such as a resort town, Malindi or a tropical island. They are great for seasonal income and perform well during good financial markets. However, they may suffer more during a recession than homes near major cities.
In addition to choosing the right city, investors should consider buying a property that will be attractive to vacationing families. It will increase your occupancy rate and your ROI.
High-profile tourist resort destinations are a sound choice, and investors should look for properties with the potential for long-term gains.
Complete a Custom Build
Building a new home from the ground up offers the highest profit margins but has a longer time frame but a home where everything is new and has today’s most desired styles and amenities is crucial in getting top dollar.
If you aren’t building the home for yourself, be careful about how you customize it. You’ll want to select a layout, amenities, and finishes that will appeal to a broad segment of the luxury market to maximize your chances of selling quickly and for top dollar.
Make sure the home is functional and welcoming and has the security and privacy features that high-end buyers want. But there’s a fine line between creating that broad appeal and creating the uniqueness that luxury buyers crave.
When something is not commoditized, and it is desirable, and there is demand, that’s when you see prices really jump. It’s the same thing with luxury real estate. The more exclusive and harder to find, the more worthy of investment the home becomes.
The Bottom Line
Investing in luxury real estate can be more exciting than investing in securities thanks to its tangible aspect, and there are many ways to do it, from building a custom home to flipping a mansion to buying a vacation property.
You can enjoy your luxury home as a resident, as a traveller or as a landlord or build luxury homes for others to enjoy. Before you buy, make sure you understand the features that create lasting value in this asset class to get the best return on your investment.