5 Luxury Amenities Buyers Want in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is affectionately known as “Philly” by more than 1,600,000 residents. The city covers an area of about 143 square miles and is one of the nation's oldest municipalities — the city was formed in 1682. It was where the nation’s Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the United States Constitution in 1787 and is the location of the iconic Liberty Bell.

The city is known for its highly-rated universities. The University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University are private, liberal arts, 4-year institutions of higher learning, and Temple University is a public, 4-year university; all are highly sought-after by students worldwide.

The Philadelphia Metropolitan Area is home to 13 Fortune 500 companies. It’s also world-renowned for its historical significance, its art and culture, and food scene—where hearty “Philly cheesesteaks” made with shaved beef, peppers, onions, and cheese (ordered as a cheesesteak “wit” to include onions and “witout” to omit them)—are king. More than 42 million tourists from the U.S. alone visit the City of Brotherly Love every year.

Philadelphia’s median home price is $265,000, down a bit from last year’s $325,000 median home price; however, homes are selling twice as fast now as last year, and the area is experiencing a seller’s market. Buyers of luxury condos for sale in Philadelphia or those wanting to know how to buy investment property in Philadelphia might be interested in learning about luxury amenities to boost their property’s return on investment.

Most homes—including luxury condos for sale in Philadelphia—consisted of compartmentalized floor plans through the late 2000s. Kitchens were separated from formal dining areas by full floor-to-ceiling walls or mid-height counters that acted as room separators. Living rooms were separated from family rooms and dens.

Then, the “great room” trend began and continues to be popular today. The great room concept means that a living space is continuous with no walls or rooms separating each formerly separate area. In other words, the kitchen flows into a dining area that then opens into a family room or living room. An open floor plan makes entertaining a breeze, but it also unites families—especially those with busy schedules who are home at different times throughout the day.

Expanding on the open floor plan concept involves bringing the indoors out in the form of an outdoor kitchen with a grill—at least—similar to star chef Guy Fieri’s 1,000-square-foot outdoor kitchen space with a gas grill, stove, and woodfire pizza oven. Add to this layout a compact refrigerator, a wine chiller, and a comfortable seating area for guests, and you’ve moved entertaining outdoors.

Even if you’re not a cook and the microwave is as expert as you get, an outdoor kitchen begs for multiple cooks, so invite your guests to help with meal prep! Decks are also part of this scenario, and composite decks are an effective, attractive, long-lasting, and low-maintenance alternative to wooden decks of the past. You can ramp up the deck experience with an expansive fire pit and comfortable seating, complete with warm throws for cooler evenings.

 

Game rooms used to be relegated to the home den or the basement and most often housed a pool table and guest chairs. These days, however, gaming has changed significantly over the decades, and dedicated rooms and spaces are needed to accommodate them. Bowling alleys, basketball courts, indoor pools, and even skating rinks—ice and roller—are sought-after luxury amenities.

If you don’t find enough room in luxury condos for sale in Philadelphia, there's always the option of adding a game room of choice by building a home extension that extends into your backyard. If you're not so much into gaming but more into movies and binge-watching streaming service offerings, then a home theater is the way to go. Be sure to install enough seating for your family plus any guests. Include throw blankets and pillows and nearby mini-fridges for snacks at your fingertips.

Even if the bathrooms in your property are on the small side, that doesn’t mean you can’t transform them into a spa! Tear out any old-fashioned shower/tub configurations and replace them with walk-in showers that feature shower jets that rain head-to-toe. If you prefer a warm soak instead of a shower and you’re working with limited space, opt for a luxurious soaking tub. If you have room for both, go to town! Don’t forget heating lamps and heated floors via radiant heating and towel warmers. You may never want to rent out your investment property!

A bedroom should be the ultimate place to rest and rejuvenate from the pressures of life. Keep the bedroom for these purposes and nix the thought of multi-purposing the room into a family gathering place, office, or playroom for the kids. Outfit your private space with automated lighting, security, climate control, and window-covering control.

Many luxury homes feature bedrooms with ample space — most bedrooms have plenty of room for a king-sized bed (or larger) and a few other furnishings. Luxury buyers are also searching for floor-to-ceiling windows and ensuite, wrap-around decks to let in the maxim amount of light while enjoying the beautiful outdoors from the comfort of their luxurious beds.

Local realtors can effectively guide you in how to buy investment property in Philadelphia and advise on what luxury amenities suit the home and its neighborhood. Reach out to trusted real estate expert Douglas Pearson today to start your search.