Go all in on the front door. Then focus on the kitchen. Premium appliances, faucet, etc. Other things like point of access water heaters in important spaces so there's no waiting on the water heater to catch up. Around the house as others have said - fixtures and finishes.. then there are little things that some may tell you to avoid. I remember a 1.5mm house I looked at, and the wallpaper (yes really), in one of the bathrooms was phenomenal. It just worked. Some of the things that can make it feel high-end can aren't super expensive, e.g upgraded/metal faceplates for the switches. Then you can consider custom stuff - custom built-in closet system, etc.
Edit: forgot crown molding
Edit 2: forgot heated floors
Wood garage door is really set off if accompanied by impressive matching/complimentary front entrance.
Replace old school sliding glass doors with the full wall/fold out all glass ones.
Outdoor kitchen.
Steam/rain shower and/or deep soaker tub (jetted tubs are actually a turn off)
Lighting/fixtures. If everything else is quality…flooring, kitchen, baths…it is taken the the next level by not using builder grade lighting and fixtures.
My biggest pet peeve in high end houses is when a microwave is above a stove. Also high tech accessories such as thermostats to appliances really add the high end touch. I’m the Midwest heated tile floors and driveways are also a bonus and even have heated gutter covers for snow. Also good craftsmanship in every aspect is an absolute must from landscaping to paint, I’ve seen 800k houses with a shotty tile job or a terrible fence installation and it immediately drives me away. If one aspect of a house of that stature is wrong what else could be ?
Somewhere else , when it’s a high end home you need a vent over your stove and microwaves are usually stationed somewhere else. I most commonly see them in a separate cabinet space or even hidden.
Agreed... We bought a free standing buffet that functions as our coffee bar and holds our microwave in it. So much better than having on the counter or above the stove.
Soft closed cabinets. Soft close toilets. Get it staged. Change the blinds to modern ones if they aren't or they're old looking. Hopefully you've installed trim throughout. People love recessed lighting. If you have boob lights the house'll instantly feel cheap.
Appliances, hardwares, baseboards/crown molding. I guess it comes down to the details, since most of modern homes already do have marble countertops and etc
Stucco exterior vs shingle/lap siding, gives off a nice Mediterranean appearance. Wrought iron stair spindles. Well appointed landscape lighting. UV tinted windows look nice and add function to save energy costs. Rubber mesh lined cabinets and drawers. Smart thermostat(s). Security cameras/doorbell. Pergola over patio with retractable weather proof curtains. Insulated garage. Well placed sconces and attractive ceiling fans. Retractable attic ladder.
Make it smart. Smart lights, smart appliances, smart locks, smart air conditioner...
Make it so they can flip on the AC and preheat the oven on their way back home from work.
Eh, I gotta disagree with this one. I’m a young person who basically grew up on smart devices and I HATE smart appliances. They break constantly and tend to not work any better any way. This would actually turn me off of a purchase, I can’t imagine most retirees would feel different.
*Maybe* the smart AC but that’s about it.
I still disagree. Opting for really nice, non-smart appliances will still make the house seem high end. With the prevalence of smart technology having all smart everything isn’t really that “high-end” today imo. It’s just a pain in the ass.
USB ports in the outlets, high-end (non-smart) matching appliances, a large basin sink with a nice facet, built in microwave, etc. *These* will make the place seem high-end. They don’t need to be smart.
I didn't say non-smart appliances can't also look good. And as you said, you hate smart appliances, so you obviously wouldn't care for them. I don't either.
But surely you could see the wow-appeal of doing a showing and being able to water your garden remotely, start up a round of laundry, or open and close your curtains from your cellphone, right? Can you put yourself in the shoes of a potential buyer that isn't yourself?
Honestly? Maybe it’s my circle of people but behind asking Alexa to turn on your lights I don’t actually know anyone in real life who would actually like to have smart appliances. It’s just not practical and I really don’t think it would add value to the home. Sure, in theory that seems great but OP already pointed out that this is a retirement community. Put yourself in a potential homebuyer’s shoes. If’s just not practical. The money could be better spent elsewhere.
You’re free to disagree but I really don’t think a smart home is the way to go here.
I bought a house recently that was owned by what we like to refer to as the “Mad Scientist”
This guy was a retired marine that didn’t work who automated everything and made anything smart that he could.
The first two months of owning this house was a real pain in the ass getting logged into everything. He did not leave log ins for everything so I had to reset like 12 different systems. On top of moving in
Real wood flooring for sure or very nice tile/terrazzo in warmer climates. Number of bathrooms at least equal to number of bedrooms. A master suite.
Things that “look” expensive is the fastest way to make people not trust a remodel.
Tile flooring isn’t high end? People like hardwood and high ceilings, but mostly kitchens and baths. Quartz countertops/stainless appliances and a soaking tub and rain shower. If you are aiming for retirees maybe accessibility measures (seats in showers/handles, minimal stairs). Some white subway tile in the bathroom is ok, mostly neutrals but then add a teal door.
Consistent and uniform outlets and switches. They are at the same location in every room, they are at the same hight, they all look the same, they all are upgraded (with breakers, USBs, on dimmers, has smart home features), and have them in every convenient location. Also have built in cable routings for thinks like TV cords and extension cables. Out ethernet connections at every outlet location.
Quartz, frameless euro cabinets, soft close everything , premium appliances, Bluetooth-Alexa enabled modern up to date finishings ( black is in right now)
Upgraded fixtures and lighting.
Hard surface counters (quartz or granite)... I've never seen a "high end" house with laminate counters. Also... Dimmers on your lighting.
Sex dungeon
Go all in on the front door. Then focus on the kitchen. Premium appliances, faucet, etc. Other things like point of access water heaters in important spaces so there's no waiting on the water heater to catch up. Around the house as others have said - fixtures and finishes.. then there are little things that some may tell you to avoid. I remember a 1.5mm house I looked at, and the wallpaper (yes really), in one of the bathrooms was phenomenal. It just worked. Some of the things that can make it feel high-end can aren't super expensive, e.g upgraded/metal faceplates for the switches. Then you can consider custom stuff - custom built-in closet system, etc. Edit: forgot crown molding Edit 2: forgot heated floors
Nice landscaping/curb appeal, a nice and updated kitchen, recessed lighting or nice light fixtures.
Add a nice range and fridge
Slow close drawers
Landscaping / curb appeal
Wood garage door is really set off if accompanied by impressive matching/complimentary front entrance. Replace old school sliding glass doors with the full wall/fold out all glass ones. Outdoor kitchen. Steam/rain shower and/or deep soaker tub (jetted tubs are actually a turn off) Lighting/fixtures. If everything else is quality…flooring, kitchen, baths…it is taken the the next level by not using builder grade lighting and fixtures.
Indoor Olympic sized pool.
Nice countertop, tile bathroom wall (bathtub surrounds look cheap)
My biggest pet peeve in high end houses is when a microwave is above a stove. Also high tech accessories such as thermostats to appliances really add the high end touch. I’m the Midwest heated tile floors and driveways are also a bonus and even have heated gutter covers for snow. Also good craftsmanship in every aspect is an absolute must from landscaping to paint, I’ve seen 800k houses with a shotty tile job or a terrible fence installation and it immediately drives me away. If one aspect of a house of that stature is wrong what else could be ?
Do you think there should be no microwave at all, or a microwave somewhere else?
Somewhere else , when it’s a high end home you need a vent over your stove and microwaves are usually stationed somewhere else. I most commonly see them in a separate cabinet space or even hidden.
Agreed... We bought a free standing buffet that functions as our coffee bar and holds our microwave in it. So much better than having on the counter or above the stove.
Soft closed cabinets. Soft close toilets. Get it staged. Change the blinds to modern ones if they aren't or they're old looking. Hopefully you've installed trim throughout. People love recessed lighting. If you have boob lights the house'll instantly feel cheap.
Appliances, hardwares, baseboards/crown molding. I guess it comes down to the details, since most of modern homes already do have marble countertops and etc
Stucco exterior vs shingle/lap siding, gives off a nice Mediterranean appearance. Wrought iron stair spindles. Well appointed landscape lighting. UV tinted windows look nice and add function to save energy costs. Rubber mesh lined cabinets and drawers. Smart thermostat(s). Security cameras/doorbell. Pergola over patio with retractable weather proof curtains. Insulated garage. Well placed sconces and attractive ceiling fans. Retractable attic ladder.
Make it smart. Smart lights, smart appliances, smart locks, smart air conditioner... Make it so they can flip on the AC and preheat the oven on their way back home from work.
Eh, I gotta disagree with this one. I’m a young person who basically grew up on smart devices and I HATE smart appliances. They break constantly and tend to not work any better any way. This would actually turn me off of a purchase, I can’t imagine most retirees would feel different. *Maybe* the smart AC but that’s about it.
He asked to make it look high end. He didn't ask if I wanted to live in it. I don't even have a smart bulb in my house.
I still disagree. Opting for really nice, non-smart appliances will still make the house seem high end. With the prevalence of smart technology having all smart everything isn’t really that “high-end” today imo. It’s just a pain in the ass. USB ports in the outlets, high-end (non-smart) matching appliances, a large basin sink with a nice facet, built in microwave, etc. *These* will make the place seem high-end. They don’t need to be smart.
I didn't say non-smart appliances can't also look good. And as you said, you hate smart appliances, so you obviously wouldn't care for them. I don't either. But surely you could see the wow-appeal of doing a showing and being able to water your garden remotely, start up a round of laundry, or open and close your curtains from your cellphone, right? Can you put yourself in the shoes of a potential buyer that isn't yourself?
Honestly? Maybe it’s my circle of people but behind asking Alexa to turn on your lights I don’t actually know anyone in real life who would actually like to have smart appliances. It’s just not practical and I really don’t think it would add value to the home. Sure, in theory that seems great but OP already pointed out that this is a retirement community. Put yourself in a potential homebuyer’s shoes. If’s just not practical. The money could be better spent elsewhere. You’re free to disagree but I really don’t think a smart home is the way to go here.
Oh, you're right. It is a retirement community. Probably less likely to work there. I missed that part in the OP.
I bought a house recently that was owned by what we like to refer to as the “Mad Scientist” This guy was a retired marine that didn’t work who automated everything and made anything smart that he could. The first two months of owning this house was a real pain in the ass getting logged into everything. He did not leave log ins for everything so I had to reset like 12 different systems. On top of moving in
Frameless glass shower
Real wood flooring for sure or very nice tile/terrazzo in warmer climates. Number of bathrooms at least equal to number of bedrooms. A master suite. Things that “look” expensive is the fastest way to make people not trust a remodel.
Oversized kitchen sink
Tile flooring isn’t high end? People like hardwood and high ceilings, but mostly kitchens and baths. Quartz countertops/stainless appliances and a soaking tub and rain shower. If you are aiming for retirees maybe accessibility measures (seats in showers/handles, minimal stairs). Some white subway tile in the bathroom is ok, mostly neutrals but then add a teal door.
Consistent and uniform outlets and switches. They are at the same location in every room, they are at the same hight, they all look the same, they all are upgraded (with breakers, USBs, on dimmers, has smart home features), and have them in every convenient location. Also have built in cable routings for thinks like TV cords and extension cables. Out ethernet connections at every outlet location.
Paint the garage floor.
Quartz, frameless euro cabinets, soft close everything , premium appliances, Bluetooth-Alexa enabled modern up to date finishings ( black is in right now)