10 Luxury Home Updates for Your San Francisco Home
The city of San Francisco itself is luxury real estate. The beautiful weather year-round, gorgeous beaches and an active outdoors population, the dining, the wine, entertainment, historical attractions – the city has it all!
As a result of San Francisco’s appeal and livability, the real estate market is highly competitive for buyers and sellers alike. Still, there are certain luxury upgrades you can make to your San Francisco home to stand out to buyers willing to pay top dollar.
Why Upgrade Your Home?
Even if you’re not looking to sell your San Francisco residence today, a more luxurious home makes for an even more luxurious SF experience. So why not have it all while living in the city that already has it all?
It will make your home that much more marketable when it is time to sell and optimize your San Francisco real estate investment. Continue reading on to see the top ten luxury upgrades that will make your San Francisco home even more valuable.
Rooftop Balcony
With mild San Francisco weather twelve months out of the year, it only makes sense that you should have a gorgeous outdoor space to enjoy it. Install a rooftop balcony so you can entertain or spend a quiet evening alone while overlooking your beautiful city.
Your price range will vary depending on the size of your rooftop, whether your home was already equipped to hold the additional rooftop floor, and what kinds of upgrades you choose to install. Regardless, you will certainly see a return on your investment by adding this luxury space to your San Francisco home.
Price range: $20,000 – $100,000
Smart Home Appliances
In today’s tech-savvy society, a smart home is a must-have in any luxury space. The technological upgrade options are endless: smart home thermostats, security, sound systems, entertainment, kitchen appliances – and so much more!
The good news is, these technology upgrades don’t have to break the bank, but they will be a significant sales feature when it comes time to sell your home. A Ring Doorbell, for example, starts at just $59.99. You can add as much or as little technology to your home as your budget allows while still adding value.
Price Range: $100 – $15,000
Outdoor Kitchen and Dining Room
Again, optimize that outdoor living! Utilize San Francisco’s climate and build a space where you can gather, entertain, and prepare food while enjoying the great outdoors. For a luxury property, just one kitchen isn’t enough; create a functional outdoor kitchen and bar with a cozy dining area to hang out with family and friends.
Don’t forget to include some comfortable seating and an outdoor dining table to create homey comforts in the outdoors. For extra luxury, build a fire pit or fireplace for both warmth and a cozy aesthetic.
Price Range: $12,000 – $50,000
Pool & Jacuzzi
Adding a water feature like a pool or jacuzzi will definitely add luxury to your property and will make your home stand out to potential buyers. Not only are pools and hot tubs relaxing to use; they are relaxing to the eye. They can add value for buyers with families of all ages or buyers with no children at all. This is also a feature that you yourself can enjoy before selling your home, and will not depreciate its value. But be careful, a large pool on a small SF lot can also decrease the value of the home for buyers who are less interested in the feature.
The cost of adding a pool or a jacuzzi varies greatly depending on its size, materials used, types of upgrades, and many other design options. You’ll also need to be conscious of the ongoing costs of adding a pool or a jacuzzi: filters, chemicals, and upkeep. In addition, depending on your property and the type of water feature you’re installing, you may need to budget for water heater upgrades, filtration systems, pool covers, and possibly even special electrical work. Salt water pools and spas are a great option in eco-friendly SF.
Price Range: $2,000 – $250,000+
Elevator
An in-home elevator exudes luxury. If you can boast a personal elevator in your home’s listing, you are sure to get the attention of luxury home buyers. In San Francisco, where living space is often built vertically, elevators are not only opulent, but also practical. Imagine being able to haul all of your groceries from the garage to the kitchen in just one trip without schlepping them up the stairs!
At one time, elevators were reserved for dream homes and “Barbie mansions” only, but with today’s advanced technology it doesn’t have to cost as much as you might think. Your budget will vary depending on your home’s layout and resultant ease of installation, materials used, and luxury upgrades, as well as how many floors you want to be serviced.
Price Range: $40,000 – $250,000
Steam Showers
To market your San Francisco home to luxury home buyers, you’ll want to make sure the master suite is decked out. When upgrading your home for a real estate listing, you should not ignore your master bath, as many top-dollar buyers want a luxurious master suite.
According to The American Institute of Architects, jacuzzi tubs are outdated design features, and walk-in steam showers are in. They provide the luxury of spa relaxation right in your own home!
You don’t need to break the bank to install a steam shower, as the install kits can start at about $1,500 from Home Depot, but you could also go all out and put in a custom walk-in shower with other master bath upgrades to increase your property value even more.
Price Range: $1,500 – $25,000+
Heated Floors
Heated flooring is a luxury that is also extremely efficient and will not only add value to your home sale, but will save you money while you enjoy it! Who doesn’t want to get out of the shower and step onto toasty warm tiles?
Depending on the size of the space you want to heat and the materials you choose, your heated flooring budget will vary, but it will certainly get a return on your investment when it comes time to sell.
Price Range: $1,000 – $28,000
Wine Cellar
California and wine just make a perfect pair. Add a wine cellar to your San Francisco home for a luxurious feature that will only increase your home’s value. A wine cellar is a big undertaking and a significant investment once you install your custom cabinets, climate control, and stock your room.
The size of your room, your cabinet and shelving upgrades, and of course, your vintage collection will all contribute to budgeting your cellar. The average cost of a fully stocked wine room is about $40,000, but there are certainly options that will help tighten that budget or, if you are ambitious in scope, far exceed it.
Price Range: $10,000 – $75,000
Movie Theatre
Even more popular than wine in California are movies. What better to add to your home than a customized theatre room? This feature gives the owner a feeling of true comfort in their own home and a sense that they never have to leave if they don’t want to – all the entertainment is at their fingertips!
To elevate the luxurious feel and amp up your home’s value, try to imitate that personal movie theatre setting. Splurge on theatre seating, projector and viewing screen, a professional sound system, and you could even add a popcorn machine for fun! The best part of adding this luxury feature is that you and your family get to enjoy it all while knowing it will make you money in the long run.
Price Range: $10,000 – $50,000
Bowling Alley
Your beautiful San Francisco home will have no choice but to stand out when you can include a custom bowling alley in your listing. This feature is unique, fun, and exudes luxury. You can customize your bowling alley to suit your own style and needs: add an arcade, a bar, sound systems – the options are endless.
Because there are so many variables in this particular feature, the price range is wide. The equipment, materials, labor, and extras all factor into your end budget. The investment of adding a bowling alley to your home is significant, but the price tag of your eventual listing will be equally substantial.
Price Range: $45,000 – $350,000+
Do Your Homework
Before dropping serious money on any luxury upgrades, you’ll need to consider the value of your additions and the realistic returns on investment. For example, if you go over budget but plan to live in your home and enjoy your luxury upgrades for several years, it may be worth it for you to splurge. On the other hand, if you plan to upgrade and then sell immediately, you really should talk with a professional and consider how much is the right amount to spend.
For the best experience and advice, contact realtor Mike Plotkowski. He will walk you through all of your luxury upgrade questions and options and make sure you get the biggest return on your real estate investment.
