THE FRONT DOOR CLOSED SOFTLY BEHIND US, the way it always does in a truly luxurious home—solid, soundless, confident. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed a perfect Vail panorama, sunlight danced across heated stone floors, and a sculptural chandelier hovered overhead like it had been curated specifically for this moment. Even the air felt expensive. Instinctively, everyone lowered their voice. This was not a house you walked through—it was one you experienced.
The buyers moved slowly, appreciatively. They admired the craftsmanship, the flow, the way the living room seemed to stretch effortlessly toward the mountains. I was mid-sentence describing the custom finishes when one of them paused, looked up thoughtfully at the chandelier, and asked the question that stops time for Realtors everywhere.
“So… does that come with the house?”
I smiled. Of course I smiled. Realtors smile the way flight attendants do during turbulence.
“Well,” I said carefully, “that would be something we’d confirm with the seller.”
Encouraged, they continued. The chairs came next. Then the area rug. Then the bar stools. By the time we reached the primary suite, we had progressed to throw pillows—always the throw pillows. In my head, I began mentally cataloging items under Definitely Not Included But Surprisingly Popular.
What makes this funny—and endlessly fascinating—is that it happens at every price point. I’ve seen buyers tour homes with private elevators, wine rooms, and views that feel borrowed from a movie set, only to negotiate with the determination of someone shopping end-of-season sales. Luxury does not eliminate the desire to get a deal. If anything, it sharpens it.
And honestly? I get it.
Buying a home, no matter how extraordinary, is deeply human. People want to feel smart. They want to ask the questions they’ll laugh about later. They want to know they didn’t miss anything—even if that “anything” happens to be a decorative pillow.
In the end, the chandelier stayed, the pillows remained perfectly styled, and the home stood just as it should—beautiful, complete, and waiting for its next chapter. I locked the door behind us and smiled again, this time to myself.
Because real estate isn’t just about price tags or prestige. It’s about people being people—even in multimillion-dollar homes. And if you ever wonder whether luxury changes human nature, just remember: someone will always ask about the pillows.