LUXURY UNLOCKED – TOP REALTORS SHARE ULTIMATE LUXURIES

A personal aircraft hanger. Semi-precious stone countertops. Smart home technology that allows for control from your phone. No one knows luxury quite like Portfolio Realtors®, whose 2016 gross closed sales designated them the top agents in the city. Being experienced in representing and understanding the affluent homebuyer, here are their thoughts on extravagant real estate and the small luxuries they enjoy in their own lives.

Kevin Best - #1 LUXURY Team

Portfolio: In your opinion, what is the ultimate real estate luxury?

KB: “The ultimate luxury is a dream house within a residential airpark and hangar for your personal aircraft. It’s such a great experience to walk out of your home into your hangar, and take off rather than go to the airport, deal with TSA and fly commercially. Not only is it convenient, it also gets you to your destination far more quickly. I market and sell this lifestyle at www.thresholdranch.com off of Boerne Stage Rd. This is the perfect location for the aviation enthusiast.”

Back at the house, Best has other ultimate luxuries his buyers often require. “The master bath is becoming more spa-like with calming color palates and details like decorative tiles. It’s all about the spa. More and more I see treatment rooms off of the bath with massage tables allowing the massage therapist to come to your home and not have to set anything up; the home is designed to the homeowner’s personal wants and preferences. There are also a lot of athletic gyms offering convenience at home.”

Garages have gotten fancy too. “With lots of new construction, the three-car garage is a thing of the past; now it is 4 or 5 car garages. With very expensive cars filling them, clients want garages that are almost like dealerships; air conditioned spaces showcasing lots of auto paraphernalia or memorabilia, sleek floors and everything tucked away into cabinetry that matches the ones in the home. They are outfitted like extensions of the home.”

Portfolio: What brings luxury to your own life?

KB: “For a decade I flew my Cirrus SR22 aircraft with its parachute system, a single-engine, very fast plane. It’s an absolute luxury to take off and fly to the coast to fish or a quick vacation in your own airplane. I recently sold my plane. With our young kids, it’s something I’ll eventually gravitate back too.”

Patti Nelson - #3 Luxury Team

Portfolio: In your opinion, what is the ultimate real estate luxury?

PN: “The luxury that is in demand, especially for younger buyers, is smart technology and smart homes. Luxury buyers are looking for integrated button touch ease. What can be done with technology is amazing – I call it sophisticated control for the home.” Citing a recent home sale, “it had whole home technology including motorized shades, home security, lighting features for mood and to highlight art, sophisticated audio and visual systems, garage door control, climate control/energy management, and camera views throughout including the pool, all navigable through iPad, or iPhone.” For outfitting your own home, Nelson recommends Sterling Home Technologies in Boerne.

Portfolio: What brings luxury to your own life?

PN: “I work hard, so I really value my time with my husband, children and friends. We are a family that lives and breathes the Spurs. Our indulgence is the new theater box seats for the Spurs games. These tickets have incredible seating, inclusive meals and are a great way to spend time with each other. Not just for our family, but friends and the occasional client too.”

Nelson also shared that she enjoys traveling with her husband, kids and her great group of girlfriends. Favorite destinations are Telluride, Cabo and New York City.

Debra Janes - #5 Luxury Team

Portfolio: In your opinion, what is the ultimate real estate luxury?

DJ: “I’ve seen every kind of home luxury, but what is a real luxury for discriminating homebuyers is for those that they love to be around them and to feel comfortable. Making a mansion feel like a home takes the whole heart of the homeowner; it's more than brick and mortar. My clients have everything - a luxurious lifestyle, but what they really enjoy is having family around them, keeping close to them with properties capable of accommodating groups.”

Portfolio: What brings luxury to your own life?

DJ: “My Range Rover HSE. I’m not a car fanatic, but I love it! It’s solid as a rock, so well-engineered – it drives like a car, but it’s an SUV. I wanted it to be simple, and the white exterior and ivory interior appealed to me. It has a Batman car seat in the back for my grandbaby, Hudson.

Debra is an all-breed dog lover and lifetime fan of the Westminster Dog Show, which she attended for the first time last year. Her future includes a very furry luxury. “We have a miniature Aussie and a Beagle-Bassett rescue dog, but we are adding one more dog. We are on a waiting list for a highly-pedigreed English Cream Golden Retriever.”

Denise Graves - #8 Residential Team

Portfolio: In your opinion, what is the ultimate real estate luxury?

DG: Luxury trends in San Antonio are based as much on location and amenities nearby as they are on the gorgeous homes the buyers prefer.

Modern, clean lines with cooler palates are currently the preferred interior style with gorgeous outdoor areas ranking high as "must haves" in the South Texas Summers.

The recent Parade of Homes in the Canyons at Scenic Loop highlighted the current trends of view, high end finishes and stunning outdoor areas that compete with the square footage of the homes.

There was a Wow factor to all the homes but they still offered a livable floor plan that worked for family or entertaining. Today's buyers want a home that offers them options and flexibility and they don't want to give up luxury to do it.

Buyers love having the "latest" thing in their homes and there is a definite trend of bringing back gold to the interiors, adding a touch of vintage Hollywood Glamour combined with organic interiors with cutting edge amenities.

Neutral interiors are meeting saturated hues in accessories to give it that "pop" and lacquered cabinetry is making a comeback. More homeowners, even luxury owners are renting their homes out so there is a focus on the best bedding, books and art to make their homes feel like a getaway - to guests, friends, family and themselves.

Portfolio: What brings luxury to your own life?

DG: Luxury for me is the little things, like an amazing meal in a surprise location. I recently attended a Luxury Retreat in Los Angeles and found myself at the Factory Kitchen- a 5-star restaurant in a previous textile factory in the downtown arts district. Incredible food, great experience.

Luxury is also time with family and friends. I love learning new things so anytime I have the opportunity to talk to new people, see new places and have new experiences that is my luxury.

Robin Saunders - #24 Residential Team

Portfolio: In your opinion, what is the ultimate real estate luxury?

RS: The ultimate real estate luxury is a fabulous outdoor living space! Large sliding doors leading out to a covered patio with plenty of room for beautiful furniture, a fireplace, outdoor kitchen, pool, fabulous landscaping and of course...a view!

Portfolio: What brings luxury to your own life?

RS: The most luxurious event in my life is when my husband and I entertain with family and friends. Great food...great wine...great conversation. It's the best.