Let them buy dream homes

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Bali, or horse country? Dubai, or Park Avenue?

While many Americans are chewing over how to make their mortgage payments, 305 high-end owners (their primary residences and investment assets are each worth at least $1 million, except Californians, whose homes must be worth $2 million-plus) recently ruminated over where they’d like to land their dream homes.

The 2008 Coldwell Banker Previews International Luxury Survey reported last week that 27% of those surveyed named as their top location an island; 22% said they want a country home; and 18% prefer an international destination. There are plenty -- 17% -- who want a dream house based on a particular address or ZIP Code; 13% want a high-rise with amenities (can’t live without a doorman); and 8% confessed to picking a location based simply on keeping up with their friends....wherever the Joneses are living these days.

And what do the well-heeled want inside these must-have mansions? Designer kitchens, customized home entertainment centers, indoor gyms and wine cellars. Outdoors: formal landscaping, water view, pool, hot tub (of course), boat dock, golf course, tennis court and that must-have --- a basketball court.

--Diane Wedner, Times staff writer

Questions? Comments? Email diane.wedner@latimes.com