A mansion’s characteristics vary based on where you live, but the general consensus remains the same: mansions are enormous.
In the U.S., most real estate specialists consider a home to be a mansion at or above 8,000 square feet in size. Historically speaking, a mansion would be a home of about 5,000 square feet or above.
While a mansion’s size matters, the kinds of amenities and features remain equally important. Here are some of the most distinguishing features you will find in a mansion property.
Most real estate agents consider homes larger than 8,000 square feet to be mansion properties.
The Distinctive Features Of Mansions
Most people imagine a sprawling estate with perfectly manicured landscaping when they think of mansions. In general, a typical mansion must have:
- Elegant architecture
- Luxurious amenities and building materials
- Multiple rooms and facilities
- Vast surroundings
Architects often use a uniform design for mansions. Some properties combine different architectural styles for luxury homes such as contemporary designs.
Luxury amenities of mansions include modern appliances, large swimming pools and tennis courts. Some properties even have bowling alleys, in-home nightclubs and home theaters that can accommodate up to 50 people.
A mansion truly sets itself apart by having multiple rooms in the house, which is surrounded by a large parcel of land.
For example, a mansion should have at least five bedrooms. It isn’t unusual for mansions to have more than 10 bedrooms, although some owners prefer fewer yet larger bedrooms.
Keep in mind that just because an 8,000-square-foot property has five bedrooms, it doesn’t always qualify as a mansion.
You might be looking at a property listing that features the so-called McMansions, which are different from true mansions.
In some places like California, the steep price of luxury properties sets a high standard for mansions.
Mansions And McMansions Aren’t The Same
In some places like California, the steep price of luxury properties sets a high standard for mansions. Some people believe that mansions should be larger than 20,000 square feet to deserve the distinction.
You’ll find most of the same luxurious amenities with a McMansion, but the trade-off involves space. Real mansions take front and center of a spacious land area, as opposed to McMansions that sit on small lots.
If you prefer a luxury home with less maintenance, then a McMansion should be a better choice. You can also live in a miniature version of luxury homes, known as jewel-box houses.
A jewel-box home measures less than 3,000 square feet. The scaled-down luxury property has become popular in Massachusetts where high prices led more people to live in smaller homes.
A mansion truly sets itself apart by having multiple rooms in the house, which is surrounded by a large parcel of land.
Mansions In Europe And North America
The French Provincial Estate Palatial Mansion in Toronto, Canada, defies the norms of a mansion. Despite only having four bedrooms, the property sold for CAD 23 million (US $18.3 million).
In France, some mansions maintain a historical style from a specific era. Take a 17th-century mansion near Paris as an example.
The luxury property spans 6,135 square feet with 13 rooms, including six bedrooms and three bathrooms. The two-story mansion’s asking price exceeded EUR 1.8 million (US $2.1 million).
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