According to the latest Coldwell Banker® Luxury Index, America's wealthy homeowners haven't changed much in their preferences when it comes to the amenities they want to have in their homes or to add to their homes post-purchase.

"The Coldwell Banker Luxury Index provides a snapshot of the state of the luxury home market today, as well as wealthy Americans’ preferences and attitudes when it comes to their homes," suggests Jim Gillespie, president and chief executive officer of Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation.

The results mirror the August 2004, showing that not much has changed. Luxury homebuyers want security systems, gourmet kitchens, topiary/landscaped yards, home theaters, hot tubs and in-ground swimming pools, just as they did last year. Noteworthy is the fact that 16 percent of respondents indicated that their homes are equipped with bedroom kitchens.

When asked what new high-end amenities they plan to put in their homes in 2005, the top responses from the 300 respondents were:

• Topiary/Landscaping -- 23 percent

• Home Theater System/Room -- 13 percent

• Gourmet/Designer Kitchen -- 12 percent

• Hot Tub -- 10 percent

• In-ground Pool -- 8 percent

• Wine Cellar -- 6 percent

The 2005 Luxury Index also revealed that the number of luxury homeowners planning to purchase home decorations (35 percent) increased significantly, compared to the August 2004 Index (20 percent).

When asked to define the largest purchase they expect to make in 2005, cars topped the list at 17 percent, but a whopping 41 percent of the answers related to the home. Furniture topped the list at 11 percent, followed by home remodeling at 9 percent, among others. In contrast, interest in purchasing boats, yachts, and country club memberships waned compared with August 2004 results.

One thing luxury homebuyers don't want to do is scale back. While 53 percent of luxury homeowners reported that they are currently on a budget, their spending habits reveal a different story. In the past six months, 60 percent of luxury homeowners reported that they had been to a high-end spa or resort; 46 percent have vacationed internationally; 45 percent have flown first-class on a commercial airline; 17 percent have flown on a private jet; and 11 percent have been on a cruise. In addition, in the last six months, 4 percent of luxury homeowners reported having elective cosmetic surgery.

The study was conducted among 300 U.S. luxury homeowners, defined as those owning homes valued at $1 million or more. The research was commissioned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation and conducted by International Communications Research in March and April 2005.

Nearly half (47 percent) of the Coldwell Banker® Luxury Index respondents reported an annual household income of $300,000 or more. The largest number of respondents reported a household of four people (27 percent), and a wide range of age groups were represented: under 35 (12 percent); 35-44 (40.9 percent); 45 to 54 (27 percent); 55 to 64 (14 percent); and, 65 plus (5.6 percent).

Published: July 12, 2005

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Blanche Evans is the award-winning senior editor of Realty Times, the Internet's leading independent real estate news service. She is featured daily on the Realty Times Video Network in the "Realty Viewpoint" segment. Blanche has been named one of the "25 Most Influential People In Real Estate" by REALTOR Magazine, and has been twice recognized as a "notable." In 2005, she was named "Top Reporter Covering the NAR" by Delahaye-Bacon's. Blanche is a renowned author of five real estate books. Her newest, Bubbles, Booms and Busts: Make Money In Any Real Estate Market, McGraw-Hill, was rave-reviewed by The New York Times. She was also selected from hundreds of real estate experts to contribute to Donald Trump's book, Trump: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received: 100 Top Experts Share Their Strategies, Rutledge Hill Press, and is featured on page 68. Order Now Review - Honors In 2006, Blanche was selected among scores of candidates to author two consumer real estate guidebooks for the National Association of Realtors: The NAR Guide to Home Buying, and The NAR Guide to Home Selling, Wiley & Sons. She is currently planning two new books for the NAR and its members.       Known for her keen insight into real estate industry issues and for her ability to make complex subjects easy to understand, Blanche is a sought-after keynote and continuing education speaker. Real estate organizations from MLSs, to brokerages, to franchisors, to associations hire her to provide up-to-the-minute analysis of real estate industry news and advice on how to improve revenues. Her passionate delivery, peppered with stinging wit, is a huge hit with audiences and fans. Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Blanche Evans, Richard Courtney, president 2007, GRAR "The GNAR membership meeting last week featured Blanche Evans as the keynote speaker. Her comments and insights resonated extremely well with those in attendance and we have had many requests for copies of her PowerPoint Presentation. She was a terrific part of the membership meeting and convention program!" - Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Coverage from WSMV, Nashville - 8-14-2007 That Interview Guy - Get Inside The Head Of Today's Generation 2007 AE Institute Session - To purchase 2006 AE Institute Session - Parts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 HouseValues Mastermind call - Parts 1 2 Blanche's fireside chat with Jeremy Conaway, HAR - Click here. To contact Blanche, email her at . For more articles by Blanche, click here.