Mark Zuckerberg’s house in Palo Alto. Zillow
When asked about the characteristics they typically seek in a home, 61% of those surveyed said that having lots of privacy was important to them.
Privacy was the most commonly named characteristic in the survey, beating out high-end kitchen appliances, en-suite luxury bathrooms, and master bedrooms with dual walk-in closets.
“We know that those of means regard home as a refuge and a place to spend time with family and those who have achieved a similar level of success,” Stephanie Pfeffer-Anton, executive vice president of Luxury Portfolio, told Business Insider. “The desire to enjoy the lifestyle that their wealth affords them with a certain level of solitude and discretion drives the demand for privacy.” That desire for privacy often leads to the installation of high-tech smart home systems and high fences, and sometimes even the hiring of security guards. For some of America’s wealthiest, it could also mean purchasing the home next door so that no one else moves in.
In November 2013, Elon Musk paid $6.75 million for a teardown across the street from his $17 million Bel-Air mansion. A year later, Mark Zuckerberg did a similar thing, buying four houses surrounding his Palo Alto home in a purchase that has since brought him a fair amount of legal trouble. In addition to another home in San Francisco, Zuckerberg also owns 750 acres of secluded land on the North Shore of Kauai ? big enough for...