Living in luxury: Top features in million-dollar homes

• The backyards of million-dollar homes are like resorts.
• Today%27s luxury homes are smaller than their counterparts of the past.
• Customized living spaces are must-haves in the luxury market.

Bigger used to be better in the luxury-home market.

Not anymore.

These days, buyers of million-dollar homes want less square footage than in years past.

"People are scaling back," said Walt Danley, president of Walt Danley Realty in Paradise Valley.

Instead of massive 10,000- to 12,000-square-foot houses, they are looking for houses that are 4,000 to 6,000 square feet.

"They do not want the hassle of furnishing and maintaining a larger home when they won't even be using some of these rooms," said Julie Antunes, a Realtor with Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty in Scottsdale.

Smaller luxury resale houses can be hard to find. In the early 2000s, few were built because buyers considered larger homes to be more valuable. Now, "status is no longer predicated on size of home, but more location and amenities."

In the luxury-price range, there is no scaling back on amenities: The more the better, with high-tech, outdoor living spaces and professional-style kitchens leading the list.

Here's a look at 10 top features in million-dollar houses:

Privacy

"Location, location, location" says it all in this market.

Preserve and hillside lots are preferable because of their seclusion, said Mario Espinoza, a broker with Scottsdale Luxury Properties. Other-view lots and equestrian lots also are popular, but golf-course lots are considered too public.

Outdoor living spaces

Outside amenities are as important as indoor ones in this price range. That's because buyers use their backyards as entertainment spaces.

A built-in barbecue grill is only one component. A pizza oven, full bar, smoker, refrigerator, burners and other kitchen features are among the must-haves, Danley said.

A dining room, television-viewing space and pool, spa and water features are other popular amenities.

Kitchens

The kitchen is the "bragging point" of the home, Danley said.

Commercial-style appliances are a must, with Viking, Dacor, Wolf, Thermador, Miele, Sub-Zero, Bosch and Jenn-Air among the desired manufacturers, Antunes said.

Think multiple dishwashers, ovens and refrigerators, as well as appliances that make life easier, such as warming drawers and microwave drawers.

Built-in coffee bars and butler's pantries that can used by catering companies are popular.

Bathrooms

Soaking tubs and oversized showers with a variety of shower heads are desired.

Green building

Luxury-home buyers are looking for houses that are energy-efficient as well as environmentally conscious in construction and amenities, Danley said.

Media

"People want the newest technologies," Espinoza said.

Particularly popular are media or entertainment systems that can be programmed with an iPad and customized by zones or rooms, he said.

Some homes may have theater rooms, but sectionals have replaced the movie theater-type seating of the past.

Customized rooms

These can include:

- Fitness rooms that are outfitted with machines and have space for yoga or pilates instruction, Danley said.

- Teen rooms, so kids can entertain their friends, watch their own shows or play video games.

- His and hers offices, or a large office that can accommodate two work spaces.

- Wine rooms that have temperature-controlled shelving.

- His and hers closets. ("It's hard to make hers too big," Danley said.)

Guest quarters

Casitas or guest houses are big, as are multigenerational spaces, for aging parents or adult children who have returned home.

Garages

Three stalls are a must, but four are better, especially because luxury buyers might collect cars or motorcycles.

"An over-height garage is another desired cool feature," Antunes said.

It allows a lift to be installed so cars can be stacked.

Detailing

Quality beats quantity in this market. This means customized finishes on walls, baseboards and backsplashes, and such upscale features as hardwood or woodlike-tile plank flooring.

Reach the reporter at sue.doerfler@arizonarepublic.com.