As a luxury home buyer, you are likely looking for some things that the typical buyer may not be considering. Amenities in luxury homes, plus the privacy and location, are a large part of what  makes a home a high-end property, and different from the typical home.

Here are some things that many luxury home buyers are looking for, although buyers often have different priorities.

• Fabulous location/views - mountain top, waterfront, private island, penthouse in a high rise; unobstructed views; famous/celebrity neighbors
• Privacy - extra large lot (multiple acres), gated community and/or gated property, possibly with security staff at gate; top-notch electronic security systems with cameras, private security company
• Uniqueness - custom-built, probably by a well-know architect; designed with and by the buyer; use of a custom designer for all furnishings
• Finishes - the best quality stones (marble, granite), woods (unique and rare) and tiles (possibly reclaimed from historic homes around the world and unique), gold, bronze, etc.; custom-built doors, windows, fireplaces; custom cabinetry; hand-forged metalwork; custom/artisan wall and ceiling finishes, murals; custom lighting
• Size - minimum 5,000-6,000 square feet and more, 5+ bedrooms (each with private full bath), 7+ total baths, perhaps 2 kitchens, formal and informal living rooms, formal and informal dining rooms, rooms for live-in staff, a fully-equipped guest house, large garage (4+ car, possibly heated or climate-controlled, with car-washing facilities)
• Amenities - wine cellar, library, top-quality custom-built media room, game room, his and hers baths, separate dressing rooms, separate offices, 1 or more pools, spa, fully-equipped outdoor kitchen and other living space, storage for furs, safe(s) for jewelry, tennis courts, boat/yacht dockage, Smart Home Technology, sauna, steam room, private spa facilities (in house or as separate facility, private heliport or airfield
• Landscaping - landscape-architect designed; rare and specimen plantings; computer-controlled lighting and irrigation systems; water features including waterfalls and  fountains; custom-built walls and gates, possibly reclaimed from historic homes and estates

This is the last post in this series on finding a luxury home. (Part 1, Part 2).

Now that you have given careful consideration to the reasons you are seeking new luxury home, and the amenities and features you desire, it's time to begin your search. Here are my thoughts on how to do this most effectively.  Bear in mind a search for the right luxury home can sometimes take a year,or even longer, if the specifications are especially demanding, due to very limited inventory; or waiting for a particular home to actually come on the market.

• Use a REALTOR - I think this is the smartest thing to do. Luxury homes are unique and the right home or estate may be hard to find if the specs are unusual, or the inventory is limited in the area you wish to live in. A qualified REALTOR will know how to do this. Plus once s/he ascertains exactly what you want, a good agent can send you listings that only meet your criteria, and can also preview properties for your (with additional photos and commentary) so you only go out to look at those that truly are right for you. This is the best approach particularly if you are out of town and only want to make a trip to look at homes once there is a select list that are worth your time. An agent can also help find those properties that may meet your needs but which are not publicly for sale.
• The Internet - if you are inclined, take some time to look at things on the Internet (or have someone do that for you if you are too busy). There are lots of sites that focus on the luxury niche (there are many homes that do NOT get listed publicly). Here are some of the better ones:  DuPont Registry; Sothebys; Christies; Unique Homes; Luxury Real Estate; Unique Global Estates; Dream Homes (California only). Keep in mind that only some of the homes in a particular area will be listed - an agent's access to the MLS will provide a more comprehensive list.
• Real Estate Publications - many of the organizations that have websites listed above also have glitzy magazines showcasing some of the luxury homes. There are also publications that do not have websites, although that is rare. Keep in mind that due to publication timing, some homes that appear in these magazines may no longer be available.
• Newspapers - there are some well known papers that list high-end real estate that may fit your needs (many also have on-line sites and blogs). Check out the NY Times (Sunday real estate section), The Wall Street Journal, The LA Times, The Chicago Tribune, and similar large papers in major cities.

A few other things to keep in mind. Get your financials in order - either get pre-approved (if you are considering financing a portion of the purchase for tax purposes) or be able to document your ability to pay cash (a letter from your bank, etc.). It is not unusual for the sellers, and agents, of very high-end end homes to request documentation of financial ability before a tour of the home may be granted (typically this will be homes in the $8 - $10 million range and beyond, but will depend on seller and agent preference).

If it is important that you remain anonymous as the buyer (in the case of celebrity status, great wealth, or other personal reasons), you should discuss this with your REALTOR, and perhaps consider using a family representative to look at homes during the selection process. It is possible that in some cases a well-known, famous, or celebrity name, if public, can hurt the chances of a fair negotiation for you.

Good luck! And please don't hesitate to request my assistance if I can help in any way, or provide further information.

If you are interested in seeing a sampling of high-end homes here in San Diego, let me know your price range and general requirements and I will email you the properties that meet your criteria.

Luxury homes these days can provide just about any amenity you want, if you are willing to pay for it. Finding a home that has EVERYTHING you want may be unrealistic, but chances are you will find something that meets most of your needs, and you can make the needed modifications before you move in, or after living there for a bit.

So, what are the amenities YOU are looking for. Just as for a new buyer, it is important to have a good idea of what is really matters to you, so that you don't waste your time previewing properties that don't meet your specifications. It might help to create a master list so you can keep track as you tour homes.

Here are some general categories  to ponder. The intent here is NOT to provide you with an all-inclusive list but to get you thinking about the amenities, etc you might be seeking in your new home::

Finishes - rare and exotic woods for floors, walls, ceilings and/or moldings; 200-year-old limestone from France, unusual marble/granite/travertine surfaces (floors, counters, walls in baths), crystal lighting (Baccarat or other); custom paint and hand painted murals (walls, ceiling treatments); high-quality fixtures in baths and kitchens (possibly gold, bronze); custom stone/metal/glass work (stainless steel, bronze, wrought-iron)

Electrical - all-house computer-controlled lighting systems, possibly including light-sensored blinds and/or drapes on windows, all-house climate control, etc. Do you want to live in a true "Smart House?"; highest quality wiring for Internet, etc. in offices and other areas where computers may be used.

Rooms in general - several family gathering rooms; full bath en suite for every bedroom, with dual baths for "him" and "her" in the master; large separate dressing areas for both in the master plus extra-large and separate walk-in closets with cabinetry/drawers for storage and possibly a climate controlled room for furs (with security); safe for jewelry; extra large main kitchen with 1-2 supplemental kitchens for catered events and guests, including a full-accessorized outdoor kitchen; wine cellar; media room; library; separate his and hers offices with custom-built in cabinetry (including small personal kitchen and bath); full-equipped gym; spa room with showers, kitchen, saunas, steam baths; living quarters for in-house staff (or separate house), etc. etc.

Other buildings and features - guest house(s); gardener's room; large climate-controlled garage with room for 4 or more cars; private runway/landing strip or nearby access to private airport; security fencing with gate, cameras, etc.; one or more pools (with cabanas), tennis courts (possibly lighted), other sport facilities (indoor tennis, racquetball, basketball, bowling); dockage for yacht or sailboats, or easy access to waterways; outdoor dining areas, patios, viewing decks; water features (fountains, reflecting pools); gardens (rare or specimen plants and trees)

Design and style - are you seeking a home by a particular architect? A specific style (Mediterranean, Italian, contemporary, historic/antique); do you need a certain square footage (5,000 SF, 10,000 SF); What about acreage? Is being in a gate-guarded enclave important or a must-have? What about security in general? Are you interested in a home you can remodel with your own architect and decorator, or must it be move-in ready?

These are just a few of the things you might consider. Good luck, and please let me know if I can help in any way.