Features that make a ‘luxury’ home

In the Indian real estate industry, the term ‘luxury’ is the most misused and abused term by residential project developers. Several developers are putting a ‘luxury’ tag on their projects and marketing it extensively through advertisements and other promotional techniques. But in reality they are only offering the basic amenities and facilities. Hence, it is imperative that the prospective buyer has an idea as to what are the features and amenities that constitute a luxury residence. This will safeguard their interests and prevent them from being taken for a ride by a few spurious developers.

Basic pre-requisites

The basic pre-requisite for a residence to fall under the category of a ‘luxury residence’ is that it should have large expanses of living spaces. Moreover, such residences should be 3BHK or above with attached bathrooms and balconies for each bedroom. Going by this thumb rule, a 1 or 2 BHK residential unit, however big it is, cannot qualify as a luxury residence. Besides, it should have a large hall as well as dining room, either separate or combined as well as an expansive kitchen. A store room as well as a maid’s room are also features seen in modern-day luxury homes.

Location

This is another important factor that sets apart a luxury residential unit from a normal one. Ideally a luxury residence is centrally located at a radius of about 2-3 km from the heart of the city. However, a residence can also fall under the ‘luxury’ category if it is in the vicinity of important landmarks across the city, or at important junctions. Besides, it should also have excellent connectivity across the city with easy accessibility to all infrastructure and amenities that the area offers. Physical infrastructure in the area should be excellent that includes wide and well maintained roads with fewer traffic woes, with sufficient street light and footpaths, bridges/flyover at important junctions, expansive green cover, among others. The area should also have all necessary social amenities like reputed schools, colleges and hospitals, companies, employment opportunities, religious institutions, and other facilities like banks, shopping centers, restaurants, parks, playgrounds as well as various other important facilities.

Floor-to-Ceiling Height

Technically, this is an important factor to evaluate a residential project’s luxury value. Ideally, the floor-to-ceiling height for a ‘luxury’ residence should be more than 12 feet. Whatever be the other facilities offered, if this specification is not met, then the ‘luxury’ component of the residence will not be fulfilled.

Project Density

Even though there is no hard and fast rule as far as this parameter is concerned, it is generally felt that for a ‘luxury’ project, the number of residential units that can be accommodated in a one-acre residential site should not exceed 60. In case it exceeds 60, then it will not fall under the luxury category as it will mean than too many residents are sharing the available amenities offered. As a result the ambience, exclusivity and charm of the project would be lost.

Elevators

In the case of luxury residential projects, not only the brand of the elevator, but also the lift capacity is important. Besides, there should be separate elevators for domestic help as well as other services like external supplies.

Security

Enhanced and state-of-the-art modern security facilities is extremely important in luxury residential projects. Besides, human security in the form of security personnel working round-the-clock, there should also be electronic surveillance for every luxury residential unit. This will enable residents to keep track of every visitor who comes to their house through CCTVs installed inside the house, the footage of which is captured small cameras that are strategically placed at the entrance of the project as well as within the premises, besides at the entrance of each unit. Remote access through mobile phones and laptops enable residents to ensure that their house is secure even when they are away from home.

Other technological features

There are various technological innovations that have rendered to make the lives of residents of luxury homes very convenient and enjoyable. They include various remote sensors strategically installed at various locations in the house. This enables the gates of the house to open automatically when the residents’ car arrives, lights to turn on when he enters a room, and taps to discharge water on touch.

Demand

Developers are going to a great extent to bring in the largest international technological innovations into their luxury projects to cater to a niche clientele of rich buyers willing to pay through their nose to buy their dream homes that match international standards. Hence, the market for such luxury homes is only set to get bigger in future. However, residents should be aware of the facilities that make a luxury home so that they do not have to pay extra for the so called luxury residences.