My siblings and I have talked about a commune since the 60′s and when I shared this picture with them we decided that this was a good way to create and organize the living spaces. I’m not sure how this group worked out the plumbing, but maybe the real purpose was art and not function. If it is art then that’s what makes it similar to luxury real estate. A luxury home makes a statement about its owners. Luxury homes are usually unique. They are not merely shelter or a place to live and raise a family. Two homes of equal square footage and price may have an entirely different appeal. A sweeping contemporary will attract a different buyer than a historic mansion with a columned portico. The more unique the home the smaller the niche of buyers that will be attracted to it. Without overstating the obvious, this makes it particularly important to identify that niche and correctly position the home for sale. On the other hand, similar homes in different neighborhoods will appeal to different segments. For example, Forest Hills has a completely different appeal than Hope Valley. Forest Hills has a much more urban feel. I love Forest Hills for its sounds. The train whistle at night. Fireworks on summer evenings from the DBAP. The NCCU marching band on chilly fall mornings. Hope Valley is quieter and focused on the country club and the golf course. All this seems obvious when you think about it. But over and over again in the Multiple Listing System I see descriptions of luxury homes written by Realtors that only focus on the house, usually describing the same features they would in an average tract house…number of bedrooms, baths, hardwoods, deck, etc. This may not a clue to its real appeal. This practice is bad enough with the average home but is a grevious error of omission in the luxury market. In a market with high demand and low supply you can get away with it, but not in Durham and especially not now. One of the most basic rules of promotion is to “sell the sizzle, not the steak.”
My plan for the little tableau of stacked living spaces above, would be to include a swimming pool…above ground, of course.
