{"id":5363,"date":"2026-07-07T07:00:42","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T14:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/livsothebysrealtyca.blog\/?p=5363"},"modified":"2026-06-24T15:16:56","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T22:16:56","slug":"private-lives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/livsothebysrealtyca.blog\/spu\/private-lives\/","title":{"rendered":"Private Lives"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The security features that matter most \u2028to high-end homebuyers today.<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t
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For many of today\u2019s wealthy homebuyers, concerns about safety and privacy shape purchase decisions as much as location and price. Discreet architectural design, gated access and advanced technology- driven security features are increasingly \u2028in demand.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to a July 2025 survey by \u2028the independent research site SafeWise, which tests and reviews home security products, break-ins remain the leading property crime concern. However, data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation shows that home burglaries have actually declined by at least 68% in the U.S. over the past three decades, SafeWise reported in August 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n

Such concerns aren\u2019t limited to the U.S.\u2014they are also fueling substantial growth in the global home security market. The worldwide spend on \u201csmart\u201d home security is estimated to reach US$39 billion by 2029, according to a July 2025 report by market research firm Statista, with the number of households having some form of \u201csmart\u201d security installed reaching an estimated 1.1 billion by 2029.<\/span><\/p>\n

In response to homebuyers\u2019 privacy worries, some real estate agents are \u2028taking proactive measures. They may \u2028run listings without street numbers or remove all online presence of a property \u2028at the close of escrow.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nick Damianos, global real \u2028estate advisor, Bahamas Sotheby\u2019s International Realty, stays ahead of client preferences using market research to \u2028track adoption trends of various smart home technologies, including closed-\u2028circuit television (CCTV) and intrusion detection, and keeps a close eye on new systems as they become available.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Columbia

Columbia House is a canal-front \u2028retreat in the gated community \u2028of Lyford Cay in the Bahamas.<\/p><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t

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Designers respond to security demands<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Beyond the data, Damianos turns to architects who design for ultra-high-net- worth (UHNW) clients. \u201cThey have to stay \u2028at the forefront of what\u2019s involved in terms of security considerations,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the Bahamas, property market\u2028buyers most often ask to see single-family homes or estates in gated communities. These provide the benefit of added \u2028privacy with the same level of service \u2028as condominiums with concierges. \u2028\u201cYou get 24\/7 security staff, patrols and monitored entries, plus land and sea perimeter surveillance,\u201d Damianos adds.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes he rules out showing certain properties, such as older estates built before gated communities became \u2028a reality, if they are on a public beach or near a resort. Even properties that might seem ideal\u2014private islands, for example\u2014 can pose challenges. \u201cCelebrities often \u2028feel safe on islands because they are some \u2028of the only places in the world where they can be sure they\u2019re not going to be bothered by anyone,\u201d Damianos says. \u201cBut an island can be more difficult to secure than \u2028a house in a gated community.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t

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According to the 2026 Sotheby\u2019s International Realty agent survey \u2028(see page 22), visibility onto a property was high on the list of security and \u2028privacy considerations voiced by \u2028luxury homebuyers, with nearly 44% \u2028of respondents ranking it as the top concern among clients.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the first things I look at on \u2028a property is the sight lines,\u201d Damianos says. \u201cWhere can people in public spaces, whether on a road or on the sea, easily see into the property?\u201d In the Bahamas, buyers may have to weigh the benefits of privacy against ocean views, he adds. \u201cStrategic landscaping is probably the best way to achieve the best of both worlds. If you\u2019ve got a long winding driveway, you could \u2028put in landscaping or trees so the house \u2028is not visible from the road. It is also quite common for homebuyers to buy two adjacent lots.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

External security also ranked high among homebuyers\u2019 concerns, according to 44% of agents surveyed. As a general rule, multistory homes are easier to secure than single-story designs because there are usually fewer ground-level access points. This architectural feature alone \u2028can influence buying choices.<\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t

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\"\"<\/p>\n

Security concerns among homebuyers<\/strong>
\nSource: 2026 Sotheby\u2019s International Realty agent survey<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t

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\u201cThe accessibility of security measures, especially CCTV, is widespread, and the majority of homes I sell have some form of it,\u201d says Neyshia Go, global real estate advisor, Sotheby\u2019s International Realty – Beverly Hills Brokerage. Infrared sensors or perimeter laser beams can be paired with security cameras to detect \u2028heat signatures as well as movement.<\/span><\/p>\n

The global market for security cameras was estimated to have reached US$17.2 billion in 2025, according to a July 2025 report from Statista, with revenue expected to grow annually by 8.83%. It is\u2006predicted to reach US$24.2 billion by 2029, with 578.5 million households expected to have security cameras.<\/span><\/p>\n

Alongside exterior protection, interior monitoring and security was an important feature for homebuyers, according to the agent survey, with 19% of respondents citing this as a common concern. Michael Martinez, global real estate advisor, ONE Sotheby\u2019s International Realty in Miami, Florida, has seen indoor cameras at the entry points of homes in his market, which includes the high-end neighborhoods of Pinecrest and Coral Gables. \u201cIn a two-story house they\u2019ll put a camera by the staircase,\u201d Martinez says. \u201cIf somebody comes in on the ground level, the owner can monitor this on their phone or tablet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"This

This gated Tuscan-style estate in \u2028the Lower Bel Air neighborhood of \u2028Los Angeles, California, is surrounded \u2028by citrus groves, olive trees and sophisticated landscaping, giving it a feeling of privacy.<\/p><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t

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Keeping an eye on your property<\/strong>
\n<\/span>Source: Statista, \u201cSmaart Security Cameras\u2014 Worldwide,\u201d July 2025<\/em><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t

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Backup power pays off<\/strong><\/h5>\n

While making sure a home is secure inside and out is key, functional issues are also top of the agenda for many homeowners. The second-most-frequent concern identified in the agent survey, at 35%, was having a backup power system, a feature that is nearly ubiquitous in the storm- prone Bahamas. \u201cAt the high end we see people having dual-fuel generator systems with propane backups for redundancy,\u201d Damianos says. \u201cPeople are also adding solar arrays with battery storage.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The desire for such features is not limited to the Bahamas\u2014buyers in parts \u2028of Southern California are also prioritizing standby power systems. In Malibu, Calabasas and other windy areas of California, there is growing demand for compact solar battery systems, such \u2028as the Tesla Powerwall.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re going to live in neighborhoods that are more prone to power outages, it\u2019s really important to get backup generators,\u201d says Go. Her clients have found solar backup systems are \u2028a viable alternative to more traditional diesel, natural gas or propane generators. \u201cIt means you won\u2019t run out of power, because every day it recharges your energy supply.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Besides the peace of mind of having \u2028an immediate power source, she cites \u2028a property value advantage to such \u2028a system. \u201cI think they are worthy investments and great for resale. \u2028Homes with backup generators and alternative energy systems definitely demand a higher price point.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t

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Taking a high-tech, holistic approach<\/strong><\/h5>\n

For more robust protection, some homeowners go a step further and build \u2028a secure space that can be used for many different purposes\u2014as a panic room or to store jewelry and important documents. \u201cEven the staff who work in the house often don\u2019t know the room exists because it\u2019s behind a closet or heavy clothing or disguised by a bookshelf,\u201d Martinez says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bespoke safe and panic rooms are especially popular in Europe and the U.S., according to a comprehensive June 2025 report by market research firm Valuates, which predicts a compound annual growth rate of 7.6% through 2031 for the industry. Among major global providers are Fortified Estate, Henleys Security Doors and Bespoke Home & Yacht Security, which offer armored doors and fortified walls that can be incorporated into new-builds or \u2028the retrofit of a closet, bedroom or office. U.K.-based Henleys makes wooden security doors that have concealed solid steel cores and can be customized to replicate any interior or exterior wood finish\u2014even \u201cthe high-gloss finish of Number 10 Downing Street,\u201d according to its website.<\/span><\/p>\n

Alongside physical reinforcements, technology-enabled access systems are becoming more sophisticated and readily available. Fingerprint recognition systems are growing in popularity, and there is increased integration with other smart home devices. Facial recognition, already \u2028in wide use for phones, computers and other personal devices, is also an option, \u2028as are voice or iris recognition systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other interior deterrents Martinez \u2028sees in Florida\u2019s luxury homes are central alarm systems with remote cellular backup that can call the local police in the event of a break-in. Reinforced building materials, such as glass designed to withstand winds of up to 180 miles per hour, are also common. \u201cImpact glass is much harder to break than a regular window,\u201d Martinez says. \u201cIf you take a baseball bat to it, you may crack the glass, but you\u2019re not going \u2028to be able to put your hand through and turn the dial on a lock.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

While biometric entry, CCTV and gated community access can deter thieves and may help in an investigation after a loss, they are not usually required for insurance purposes and won\u2019t necessarily command a discount, says Nick Kiniry, a client advisor with World Insurance Private Client Group. However, a centrally monitored fire and burglar alarm system may be required by insurance companies for homes above a certain value.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kiniry suggests buyers take a holistic view. \u201cRather than just meeting the requirement by having a burglar or fire alarm, people should really be thinking beyond that to provide additional layers of protection and mitigate any loss,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n

This broader approach to protection extends beyond physical threats. While only 9% of Sotheby\u2019s International Realty affiliated agents surveyed mentioned cybersecurity as a concern among homeowners, in Damianos\u2019s market it is a widespread concern.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe get a lot of high-profile fund managers and people who are very big \u2028in the financial industry,\u201d he says. \u201cHigh- speed internet access is very important \u2028for them, as well as the safety of their connection. A lot of these people will \u2028install \u2018enterprise-grade\u2019 firewalls or private networks to protect the financial data they may be handling.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Safety is a selling point<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Technology, however, is only part of the picture. The need for space for private security personnel was identified by \u202812% of those surveyed. \u201cWe do see the need for space a lot more with celebrity clients, who often have an entourage\u2014not just for security posts but for sleeping quarters as well,\u201d Martinez says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Celebrity and UHNW clients may also send in a team to conduct a pre-purchase security audit, flying in experts to examine the area and the property and to determine exit or extraction strategies in case of \u2028an emergency.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even with all the devices and safeguards available, Martinez starts by arming his Florida buyers with information about the surrounding area. \u201cThey want \u2028to know about the neighborhood, the \u2028local police department and any existing concerns,\u201d he says. His buyers tend to favor incorporated neighborhoods with their own police departments or gated communities with guarded entry points and roving security.<\/span><\/p>\n

Street location can play a role in deciding where to buy, Martinez adds. Some clients shy away from intersections due to higher visibility, while others prefer the added activity and accessibility \u2028of a more visible location.<\/span><\/p>\n

Considering local regulations is important too. Go is well versed in \u2028the building codes across different neighborhoods in her Beverly Hills, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara territories. Some areas have maximum height limits for gates and fences, while others don\u2019t permit gates at all.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re a high-profile or celebrity client, I\u2019m going to dissuade you from \u2028a couple of neighborhoods that I know aren\u2019t going to allow you the security \u2028you desire,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the end of the day, properly addressing buyer concerns can have \u2028a financial payoff for the home seller, Martinez says. \u201cIn my experience, gated entrances, full-perimeter surveillance, impact windows and privacy landscaping can drive faster sales and stronger offers. These features can help eliminate days \u2028on the market, and in some cases even command a higher price per square foot.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As privacy concerns continue driving luxury home purchases, buyers who prioritize security features early in their search\u2014from backup power systems to biometric access controls\u2014are positioning themselves ahead of a trend that is reshaping the high-end market.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Article originally shared by Sotheby’s International Realty in the 2026 Informe Perspectivas del Lujo<\/a>.<\/h6>\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For many of today\u2019s wealthy homebuyers, concerns about safety and privacy shape purchase decisions as much as location and price.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":237480086,"featured_media":5364,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"{excerpt}\r\n\r\n{url}","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[765166367,765166251],"tags":[765166368,765166370,765166376,765166377,318499075,747966],"class_list":["post-5363","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-765166367","category-luxury-outlook-report","tag-2026-luxury-outlook","tag-global-real-estate-market","tag-home-secuirty","tag-home-technology","tag-liv-sothebys-international-realty","tag-luxury-living"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t