Amenities and the Open House

My Sunday was spent at a volleyball tournament out of town. I thought at one point I could sneak out to see an Open House or two, but my daughter played too many matches and the outing never materialized. As I drove back toward Sonoma, I wondered what my blog post would feature since I had missed the inspiration in the weekly Open House. With my daughter sleeping in the backseat, I thought about all the homes I've visited. What made the good ones memorable versus meh? I figured it out. The thing that made an Open House memorable was the amenity.

The dictionary defines an amenity as: something that makes life easier or more pleasant. So yes, the amenity or thing that made the house more pleasant was what made a home memorable. Early in the 20th century, indoor plumbing or electricity were amenities, but as we have modernized our amenities have changed and become truly luxurious. Below is a list of amenities I've seen:

-Swimming pool       -Bocce Ball court                -Artist Studio
-Sauna                     -Hot Tub                            -Tennis Court
-Outdoor Kitchen     -Fire pit                             -Wine Cellar/cave
-Koi Pond                 -Game Room                      -Bonus Room

By Vic Brincat from Keswick, Ontario, Canada

The most common amenity is the swimming pool. While I do live in California, I do not live in the warm coastal region, but the cooler wine growing region. A realtor friend of mine told me that swimming pools are not seen as amenities in this cooler climate. While I hear his words, I honestly feel a bit happier and more relaxed in those homes where aqua waters beckon in the backyard. A pool makes a home feel like a small resort and everyone likes a resort living.

Game rooms are probably the next most common amenity I've seen. I only count them as such when they are a separate living space above a garage or detached from the house. When a home owner has converted a dining room to a game room, I never see it as an amenity, but instead a smaller house.

The bonus room is tricky. Realtors seemed to call it a bonus room when the space is not something that could be permitted as living space. I've seen rooms in sub-floors with ceilings that top out at 5 feet and stair cases roughed into attic areas. I would never call these types of bonus rooms amenities. The only time I would call a bonus room an amenity is when a prospective buyer could actually use the room, stand in it and feel comfortable. Low ceilings or nails poking in from the roof are not bonus rooms but should simply be labeled storage areas.

By Exscape Designs (Own work)

Outdoor kitchens seem to be gaining in popularity. The ever present backyard grill has matured and is now joined by a counter top and outdoor fridge with a seating area. Sometimes these outdoor kitchens are custom built and other times they are large pieces purchased from a home improvement store. Like the swimming pool, the outdoor kitchen screams resort living and can be enjoyed by all ages.

I look forward to next weekend and lining up my Open House visits. Perhaps my amenity list will grown. In the meantime, tell me: what is your favorite amenity?

Rancho de Sauna

$699,000 (3 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath)

1,930 square feet

Divorce. The realtor said it was divorce and it made sense. The house had been impeccably remodeled starting with the master suite. The suite had a huge walk-in closet, a separate cedar lined closet and an added room with a Japanese style tub and sauna. The remodel continued through the other bedrooms and bathrooms, then made an abrupt stop at the kitchen. Yes, divorce. Too many arguments over too many details I suppose.

The house was also priced to sell. The asking value was mind blowing, considering the beautiful master suite, the huge lot (almost 1/2 an acre), and artist studio (I forgot to mention that part). I've been to many open houses and this was the first one where I audibly heard the word 'offer' from every party milling about the beautiful house. This place was a steal. 

I've been on a kick this past year. I'm addicted to open houses. Every week I look at the Sunday Real Estate section or scan my Redfin ap to scope out the open houses I need to see. I've seen homes obviously used for marijuana cultivation (strong stench and excessive security cameras) and incredible old estates that must've been the bees knees in the 1960s. The past year has been a blast.

There's a new plan for the new year. I will feed my addiction and keep looking at open houses every week, then I will review, remark and comment on the homes I visit. This will inspire me to go, do and see. The exercise may also show off some fun real estate in Sonoma County and perhaps you'll move here and we can share a glass of wine someday.