Luxury home buyers think real estate is a better investment than the stock market…

The vast majority of luxury homebuyers used an agent, are willing to give up square footage for an amenity they want and wouldn't live in a home that isn't tech-friendly, according to a survey commissioned by Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate.

The online survey of 500 affluent homebuyers, conducted by Wakefield Research between May 20 and June 4, also showed that most luxury homebuyers believe homeownership is a more sound investment than the stock market, would rather live in a "smart" home than a "green" home, and would rather have an upgraded home than more square footage.

"The luxury consumer is considered a trendsetter in most industries, and to see the strong connection this consumer has with 'home' is very significant as we look at the real estate market as a whole," said Sherry Chris, president and CEO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, in a statement.

Source: Online survey of 500 luxury homebuyers between May 20 and June 4, 2013, conducted by Wakefield Research *Of those luxury homeowner survey respondents who have jobs

A majority of the affluent homebuyers surveyed said they used an agent for neighborhood lifestyle insight (65 percent) as a source of advance info for new listings (64 percent), as a go-to source for housing trends (55 percent) and for support through the homebuying process (53 percent).

More survey results:

Source: Online survey of 500 luxury homebuyers between May 20 and June 4, 2013, conducted by Wakefield Research

– See more at: http://www.inman.com/2013/09/10/survey-affluent-homebuyers-will-give-up-space-for-amenities/#sthash.zhoBzMAc.WWHCyC8s.dpuf