Let them buy dream homes
Bali, or horse country? Dubai, or Park Avenue?
While many Americans are chewing over how to make their mortgage payments, 305 high-end owners (their primary residences and investment assets are each worth at least $1 million, except Californians, whose homes must be worth $2 million-plus) recently ruminated over where they'd like to land their dream homes.
The 2008 Coldwell Banker Previews International Luxury Survey reported last week that 27% of those surveyed named as their top location an island; 22% said they want a country home; and 18% prefer an 
international destination. There are plenty -- 17% -- who want a dream house based on a particular address or ZIP Code; 13% want a high-rise with amenities (can't live without a doorman); and 8% confessed to picking a location based simply on keeping up with their friends....wherever the Joneses are living these days.
And what do the well-heeled want inside these must-have mansions? Designer kitchens, customized home entertainment centers, indoor gyms and wine cellars. Outdoors: formal landscaping, water view, pool, hot tub (of course), boat dock, golf course, tennis court and that must-have --- a basketball court.
--Diane Wedner, Times staff writer
Photo: Associated Press
Questions? Comments? Email diane.wedner@latimes.com
Is this the kind of garbage we're going to be subjected to now that the RE section is closed?
Posted by: xtine | July 27, 2008 at 03:31 PM
I don't care where I end up as long as we have a steady source of basic food needs, health care, and broadband.
Posted by: Uncle Billy Loves Naomi Klein | July 27, 2008 at 04:25 PM
What have you done to Peter ? Where is he ? Did Sam Zell send the clean up squad ? Where is Peter Viles?
Posted by: CD | July 27, 2008 at 04:39 PM
uhhhh. Yeah. this is fascinating. the average residential RE watcher is very interested in this. A basketball court.
Let them eat cake, indeed.
Posted by: It All Happens on the Margin | July 27, 2008 at 07:47 PM
The Viagra from Chicago wants to assure everyone that things are going to be just fine....really.....no, really....why are you staring like that....newspapers should print good news, not depressing, dreary accounts of losers and failures....
Posted by: mbob | July 27, 2008 at 08:41 PM
This was a problem with the New York Times real estate section -- article after article about the social set and their multimillion dollar properties, and little to nothing about people at the median or below. Lots of glitz but nothing useful.
Posted by: Drew | July 27, 2008 at 09:33 PM
Hi Diane,
Is Peter safely on "special assignment"?
Thank God, we have a real, real estate moderator in change!... Enough is enough from "bubble" poopers.
How did Peter ever think LAT was going to sell that whining demographic to advertisers?
Posted by: LA-renter | July 27, 2008 at 10:38 PM
The REAL rich guys and not those surveyed by CB, these real rich guys, they want to live on the Moon or some other planets.
Why?
Because they can afford to and you can't.
Posted by: MyLessThanPrimeBeef | July 27, 2008 at 10:46 PM
Because none of the bubble-mongers who polute this website are going to respond to this ridiculous post... may I comment on the Congressional relief?
Is anyone else struck by the irony of the $7,500 "tax credit" for 1st time home buyers? I've read that it's not really a tax credit. No, it's a no interest loan for $7,500. What's the point of this?
Didn't the bubble mess teach us that gimmicks enticed people to overextend their purchases? That's what got "US" into this mess!
...Am I going crazy? Is this just me?
Posted by: LA-renter | July 27, 2008 at 10:58 PM
Only 13% in high-rises?
How many of those 13% were from Manhattan where you really don't have a choice? Higher w/ views is better there.
Everywhere else?...
Just another nail in the coffin for the condo industry IMHO.
Posted by: E | July 28, 2008 at 12:11 AM
Where's Peter?
Posted by: MG | July 28, 2008 at 06:15 AM
Horse property in Woodside Ca. Paddocks, barns and horse facilities must be excelent - house can be a junker or even just parking space for the camper.
Posted by: dilbert dogbert | July 28, 2008 at 06:59 AM
I was gone for a while - has the LA Times set about destroying the last readable corner of its website?
Not quite. But just please, someone, any one, exercise some editorial control - before this blog becomes the Real Estate version of All the Rage.
Posted by: the problemwithcaring | July 28, 2008 at 10:12 AM
i threw up a little in my mouth reading this. seriously, it makes me ashamed to be an american when i see how pathetic, greedy and shallow our "best and brightest" are.
Posted by: sheila | July 28, 2008 at 03:14 PM