I’m a Real Estate Agent: 5 Things the Ultra-Rich Do in Their Homes That You Can Copy for Less
Written by
Dawn Allcot
Edited by
Levi Leidy
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Have you ever spent hours scrolling Zillow, eyeing high-end homes you’d love to own? From organized storage rooms to high-tech home theaters, these houses seem to have it all.
The good news is you can replicate the look and feel of luxury without spending your annual salary on the investment.
“The behaviors of luxury homeowners center around three core pillars,” said Mark Johnson, managing partner of Recruiting Insight. “Elevated presentation, strategic control and peace of mind.”
We asked real estate agents about the most popular home upgrades you can make to replicate the luxury of multimillion-dollar mansions.
Upgraded Organization
If you’ve ever swooned over how neat and clean the pantry and cabinets look in upscale homes, you can achieve that look for less. All you need are some matching storage containers from Amazon and a bit of time. Labeling the items or shelves in your pantry and closet not only makes your home look better, it will save you time in the long run.
“Making a commitment to home organization, including labels and attractive storage, is a cost-effective way to achieve a higher-end feel and confidence in your space,” said Sheila Fejeran, eXp Realty, Dallas, Fort Worth.
Gorgeous Garages
Likewise, Fejeran said, you may have noticed some luxury homes have garage floors so clean you could eat off them — or at least feel comfortable parking a Lamborghini or Ferrari.
It’s all part of the attention to detail. “People who aren’t millionaires can duplicate the look of luxury homeownership by clear-coating their garage,” she said.
As for the car inside? Professional detailing or even a DIY wash and wax could make your old Toyota feel like new, too.
Fresh Flowers
“Luxury homes feel vibrant and alive,” Fejeran pointed out. You might notice high-end real estate listings often feature floral arrangements in bright, seasonal colors. While weekly deliveries of fresh flowers can add up beyond the average person’s budget, you can replicate the look for less.
“Floral arrangements on the kitchen island bring life into the room,” she said, noting that nearly all luxury homeowners focus on this detail.
However, artificial flowers, which you can change out seasonally or leave in place for years, achieve the same effect for less money. “A single, well-chosen artificial piece provides the same sensory focal point as expensive fresh cuts, permanently elevating the room,” she said.
Home Automation Systems
Luxury homes often feature high-end luxury home automation systems with powered curtains or blinds, lights and whole-home audio you can turn on and off through voice control, an app or pre-set scenes, and sophisticated touchscreens in high-traffic rooms.
But technology has evolved dramatically in recent decades, and middle-class homeowners can achieve the same objectives with Amazon Alexa or Google Home. A Nest thermostat allows you to set the thermostat to a comfortable level shortly before you return home, while programmable LED lights from a brand like Enbrighten can illuminate your walkway for safety.
Modern Security
“Luxury owners invest in security and control systems for the ultimate peace of mind and convenience,” said Suzy Arriola, president and CEO of Suzy Arriola and Associates in Southern California.
You can look into an affordable monitored security system. It may even reduce your home insurance costs. If monitored security is out of your budget, Arriola suggested looking into popular brands of video doorbells and outdoor cameras you can install yourself.
“You can add a Ring video doorbell and cameras for perimeter safety,” she said. “This delivers the core benefits of remote access and monitoring.”
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