Luxury Custom Homes – The Art of the Bespoke
The economic forecast is looking very positive for home construction through 2024, and if you’re in the market for a luxury custom home, then you’ve come to the right place.
What Are Luxury Custom Homes?
The distinction between a luxury custom home and a standard home should be crystal clear. You won’t often find the same meticulous attention to detail or luxury amenities in a standard house that you’d find in a luxury home. For a residential structure to be considered a “luxury custom home,” it should go beyond the general expectations of residential architecture and design. A luxury home should have some semblance of exclusivity and personalized luxury.
These homes have seen a surge in popularity over the past decade, and it’s not merely due to their aesthetics. Custom luxury homes offer something truly unique—tailoring every aspect to your specific needs and desires. Whether it’s a functional home office or a luxurious indoor sauna, each detail is meticulously designed for quality, functionality, and extravagance.
The result? A one-of-a-kind masterpiece that embodies your creative vision of your personalized dream home.
At RBC Homes, our process involves creating an exquisite masterpiece from the ground up, reflecting our clients’ distinct visions, tastes, and lifestyles. We value the collaboration between homeowners, architects, interior designers, and our construction experts. This collaboration unites homeowners’ aspirations and individual preferences with the creative expertise of professionals, resulting in the realization of your dream home.
Come with us as we open the doors and dive into the art and science that goes behind crafting some of the best custom luxury homes on the market today.
Elements of Luxury Custom Homes & Architectural Styles
Of course, the elements of luxury custom homes will often depend on the architectural styles. Let’s explore some examples that showcase the distinctive characteristics of each style:
- Coastal Homes: Most coastal homes will offer a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing residents to enjoy the shorelines in their front yard. Think large patios with pools, lounge areas, and more.
- Neoclassical: These architectural designs harken back to the grandeur of ancient Greece and Rome. Think imposing columns and stately facades.
- Contemporary: Modern homes are all about a sleek form of elegance. You’ll often find open-air spaces and clean lines. Bright white kitchens, minimalistic yard spaces, and smart tech integration are the norm.
- Mediterranean-Inspired: If you’re looking to transport yourself to the sun-soaked villas of Europe, with arched doorways and terracotta roofs, look no further than Mediterranean-inspired luxury homes.
We invite you to explore our gallery of work to get a better idea of the kind of breathtaking architecture you can expect when you work with our luxury custom home builders.
The Design and Construction Process of Luxury Custom Homes
Here at RBC Homes, we build many luxury coastal homes, thanks to our unique location near the Atlantic Ocean. While the process of building a resilient house that can last for many generations, even while adjacent to the sea, can seem overwhelming, the steps are actually quite simple.
- Develop Your Dream: What does your perfect home look like? Start by putting together a vision board of sorts, and then speaking with RBC’s interior and exterior design team, and with a subsequent visit to some of our many completed luxury custom homes for inspiration and ideas. Start outlining your preferences for architectural styles, design elements, lifestyle needs, room functionality, and more.
- Find the Perfect Plot of Land: At this point, it’s a good idea to team up with our professionals who can assist you in evaluating sites the suitability of each for the building of a sustainable home which accommodates the lifestyle of your dreams.
- Find a Builder: Once you’ve chosen your canvas, RBC Homes can assist you with the balance of the process, including interior and exterior design. Our design experts possess a deep understanding of luxury home design, construction, and have the requisite experience and knowledge of both design and construction to professionally assist you in making your dream your new reality.
- Collaborate: Work closely with our experts to actualize your vision, create blueprints, and ensure that every detail aligns with your aspirations.
Top 4 Trends in Luxury Custom Homes
When planning your custom home design, you might hit an inspirational wall. In that case, consider some of the top trends in luxury custom homes and how they might fit in with your unique project.
1. High-End Materials and Finishes
A luxury custom home is nothing without the rare and premium materials that make it up. Every living space should feel like a work of art.
Whether you’re looking at rare marbles with intricate veining for your bathroom floors, natural stone like quartzite or granite countertops for your kitchen, or custom-made fixtures like faucets or chandeliers to give your home a bit more character, the attention to detail here is what matters.
2. State-of-the-Art Smart Technology
More than 63 million households in the U.S. have integrated smart technology in one way or another. When it comes to our luxury homes, we here at RBC love technologies that seamlessly integrate with our construction and make life a bit easier for you.
From home automation like automatic blinds and lights to top-of-the-line security systems to keep your family safe, these devices offer both convenience and peace of mind.
3. Luxurious Amenities for Ultimate Comfort
We know no bounds in terms of luxury amenities. What we integrate into our projects comes down to the preferences of our clients.
And, of course, with such a diverse range of clients with different passions and interests, amenities vary widely.
From private theaters for cinephiles to climate-controlled wine cellars for burgeoning sommeliers, indoor spa retreats for a bit of R&R after a long day, and heated swimming pools for year-round enjoyment, the list of bespoke amenities goes on and on.
4. Eco-Friendly Luxury
The emerging trend of sustainability in luxury custom homes is bigger than it ever has been.
Incorporating energy-efficient LED lighting throughout the property, utilizing geothermal HVAC systems, or integrating rainwater harvesting to store rainwater for landscape irrigation, reducing water consumption and the strain on local water resources, are just some of the ways we’ve been able to find the balance between luxury and eco-consciousness.
Of course, our creativity extends beyond these trends, and if you want to find out more about how we can transform your unique vision into a reality, check out our gallery of innovative luxury home designs or get in contact us today.
6 Essential Considerations for Financing and Investing in Luxury Custom Homes
As an investor, we urge you to think of your dream home as more than just property. It’s an exclusive investment opportunity. Of course, investing in luxury custom homes typically requires substantial capital.
There are many costs involved, including:
1. Acquiring the Perfect Land:
Most luxury homes come on premium lots, and with those lots come higher price tags. If you want waterfront access, expect to pay a premium. Carefully select a location that aligns with your investment goals.
2. High-End Construction Costs:
Compared to standard homes, luxury custom homes often feature top-tier materials and craftsmanship, which can significantly impact construction costs. Be prepared for a budget that reflects the use of high-end materials.
3. Navigating Permits and Approvals:
Depending on where you’re building your investment home, there may be permit fees and regulatory requirements, such as zoning permits or environmental assessments. You will also need to confirm that the jurisdiction in which you elect to invest, permits short-term rentals. As you likely know, short-term rentals will afford you among the highest rates of return on your investment.
4. Incorporating Desirable Features:
Whether you’re integrating custom cabinets in the bathroom or high-end appliances in the kitchen, these kinds of features can greatly impact the overall cost and the desirability of your investment home to renters. .
5. Building a Contingency Fund:
While we do our best to mitigate these, unforeseen issues can arise. To mitigate these, it’s advisable to set aside a contingency fund of 5-10% to cover unexpected costs. This ensures that your project stays on track.
6. Securing Financing:
Securing financing for a luxury custom home may be more involved than your standard mortgage. Consider working with lenders who specialize in high-end investment real estate.
The good thing is that you can expect a positive ROI later down the line. Custom-built homes have a much better appeal to short-term renters and better resale value than pre-built, tract homes.
5 Tips for Buying a Luxury Custom Home: What to Look for When Purchasing
There are a few must-have elements that separate a luxury custom home from a standard one. When you’re ready to buy your dream home, it’s important that you don’t jump the gun.
Before you make the leap, consider these essential factors to help you make an informed decision:
1. Architectural Expertise:
Any architect you work with should have a keen understanding of luxury design. It’s often a good idea to look for distinctive architectural styles that resonate with your taste and the pool of short and long-term renters, whether coastal, modern, or neoclassical.
2. Location Matters:
In luxury real estate, location is paramount. Not only will coastal properties have breathtaking views, but they’ll also hold significant value compared to the same home in a standard suburb, and undoubtedly appeal to short-term renters in search of an ideal vacation destination.
3. Craftsmanship Excellence:
Impeccable craftsmanship is key. Ask about the quality of materials and finishes used. There’s a lot to pay attention to here, but we often recommend keeping your eye on elements like rare woods, natural stone, and custom fixtures.
4. Thoughtful Amenities:
Consider the lifestyle amenities that align with your vision, from private theaters for cinematic evenings to spa retreats for ultimate relaxation. These carefully curated amenities are tailored to elevate your everyday living experience, creating a haven of comfort and luxury in your dream home.
5. Future Resale Value:
While you may enter your dream home building process with the idea of having your family enjoy it for generations to come, it’s equally important to consider its future resale value, potential as an income producing rental property and whether or not it’s a wise investment.
When you’re ready to explore your dream home fantasy further, get in touch with us.
Choosing the Right Builder for Your Luxury Custom Home
The builder you choose will play a pivotal role in whether or not your vision comes to life as you imagine.
For starters, you need to find a quality builder, as quality is the cornerstone of all luxury custom homes. Look at their portfolio and determine the kinds of styles in which the builder excels.
Next, make sure that builder has a track record of delivering great work. This is reputation. With any business, reputation is a testament to commitment.
Look for testimonials and references from past clients to gauge the reputation and experience of the builder. You might also consider seeing whether or not that builder has legitimate industry recognition and awards.
FAQs:
What is the typical timeline for a project like this?
Well, while traditional home builders often take 12 to 18 months to complete a project, at RBC Homes, we pride ourselves on efficiency.
From the moment we receive the necessary building permit, we can typically deliver your custom coastal masterpiece in just 7 to 8 months. This means you can start enjoying the coastal lifestyle sooner than you might expect.
What Are the Costs and Return on Investment?
As you probably could have guessed, the cost of building a luxury custom coastal home can vary widely based on factors such as location, size, and amenities.
However, it’s important to view your investment as more than just a financial transaction. Our clients consistently note how much of a positive impact their luxury custom homes have had on their quality of life. It’s hard to beat beautiful, unparalleled comfort with the potential for long-term value appreciation.
Think of your new home as a legacy that you and your family can cherish for generations.
What Are the Steps to Build a Custom Home?
The process of custom home construction is relatively in-depth, which is why we recommend checking out our comprehensive guide on “How to Build a Custom Home.”
This blog will provide valuable insights into every aspect of creating your personalized sanctuary, from luxury home design and planning to construction and beyond.
Design Your Luxury Custom Home with RBC
Here at RBC Homes, we know how important it is to find the right builder for your luxury custom home design and build. You’re bringing a large investment to the table, and the last thing we and you want is to put that investment to waste.
With a legacy of excellence and a commitment to our clients, our award-winning, class-A licensed team has built some of the dreamiest luxury custom homes along the coast of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Soon, we are pleased to announce, we will be bringing our unique and unparalleled industry experience and reputation to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
For more than 30 years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to providing nothing but the best for those we collaborate with, and we hope we can do the same for you. Get in touch with us today to see how we can begin turning your dream into your new reality.
