Do you ever wonder who lives within the walls of the luxury homes that dot so many communities in South Florida? So do the people at Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate Inc.

Coldwell Banker Previews International, the luxury arm of the brokerage, recently conducted a survey of 300 U.S. homeowners whose primary residence is valued at more than $1 million. Some of the results are surprising.

"It is very important for our certified Previews sales associates to learn and understand the residential real estate preferences of the affluent community," said Ardene Clarke, Coldwell's regional senior vice president for Broward County.

Clarke said that in 2005, Coldwell Banker closed more than $300 million worth of million-dollar-plus homes in Broward County, and even though that represented less than 10 percent of the firm's total closed sales volume, "it was a significant share of our business."

Perhaps the most surprising result of the survey has to do with the household income of those who own million-dollar homes. The majority of those surveyed -- 57 percent -- earn less than $500,000 a year. And 41 percent of those who own homes valued at $1 million or more make between $200,000 and $500,000.

The disparity between income and home value can be attributed to the booming real estate market that existed in many parts of the country but ended in 2005.

"People could have bought a home when it was $400,000 and due to the appreciation, it's now worth over $1 million," said Joy Zipper, a Coldwell Banker sales associate in Boca Raton who specializes in luxury homes.

Other findings of the Coldwell Banker survey:

Fine dining and high-tech entertainment are important to the million-dollar homeowner. Sixty-five percent of those surveyed have a designer kitchen, and 37 percent already have, or are considering adding, a wine cellar. Fifty-nine percent said they have a room in their homes devoted exclusively to entertainment. Of those, 89 percent said they can accommodate more than six people in that room, and 84 percent said they either have a big-screen high-definition TV of 50 inches or more or media systems such as DVD players and a surround-sound system.

The most popular amenities found in million-dollar homes are security systems (86 percent), professional landscaping (67 percent) and designer kitchens (65 percent). Just 37 percent of those surveyed nationally have an in-ground swimming pool.

Owners of luxury homes are not as sensitive to interest rate fluctuations as those who own more modest homes. Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed said that recent interest rate increases will have no effect on their planned luxury purchases.

"A lot of them are cash buyers," Zipper said. "And they're not as affected by property taxes or insurance rates either." She said she has been selling homes in Boca Raton listed for $3 million with no problems.

The million-dollar lifestyle is different than what's depicted in movies. Only 5 percent of those surveyed have a personal assistant, 4 percent have a live-in housekeeper and 1 percent have a driver.

Million-dollar homeowners tend to be moderate- to low-risk investors. The most popular vehicles for their retirement funds are stocks, mutual funds and real estate.

As expected, the most popular spots for luxury homeowners to shop include Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. But mall staples such as Macy's, Lord & Taylor, Talbots and Pottery Barn also made the list.

The Coldwell Banker Previews International Luxury Survey was conducted via a series of phone interviews by an independent market research firm in March and April 2006. Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate is a member of the NRT family of companies. NRT Inc., a subsidiary of Cendant Corp., is the nation's largest residential real estate brokerage.

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Robyn A. Friedman

Robyn A. Friedman is a freelance writer. Send tips to her at RAFriedman@att.net.

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