What Makes A House A Mansion? Defining Mansions

If you grew up during a particular time, you may have played a paper and pencil game called MASH (which stands for Mansion, Apartment, Shack, House). MASH was a fun way to predict your future home, career, and more - even if it was obviously inaccurate. As kids, we all wanted to land on the coveted mansion - but what exactly makes a house a mansion?

There is no set definition for a mansion when it comes to real estate listings. In fact, many listing agents avoid the word because it isn’t clearly defined. Instead, you will need to look for features like high square footage, luxury features like tennis courts and wine cellars, separate buildings, and large rooms with high-end fixtures. If you spot these items in a listing, you may be looking at a mansion - even if it isn’t described as such.

At Eaton Realty, part of our job is to help buyers cut through the lingo and interpret listings to find the house that works for them. We don’t simply collect listings for our clients; we go a step further to help them understand what they’re looking at, what inspection reports and disclosures mean, and more. Our goal as buyers’ agents is to truly advocate for our clients as they make what might be the biggest financial decisions of their lives. Reach out today to talk to a Tampa real estate agent about your options when buying anything from a cozy condo to a luxurious mansion in West Central Florida.

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When Can a House Be Called a Mansion?

Many of us know what could be considered a mansion - often from movies or TV shows. While the term is commonly used to describe large houses, there is no strict definition of what exactly makes a mansion. For this reason, many real estate agents avoid using the term. Nevertheless, there are some characteristics that may make a house a mansion.

Square Footage

A key feature is square footage. In 2021, the average size of a new single-family house was 2,480 square feet. Many Realtors would say that a house should have at least double the square footage (5,000 or more square feet) to be considered a mansion.

Of course, size is relative. In some areas of the country, a 2,500-square-foot house is considered huge, while in others, it would be below average. If a house is significantly larger than other homes in the community, it may be considered a mansion - even if it isn’t a 10,000-square-foot home.

Luxury Features

Wherever you land on square footage, mansions are big houses and often (but not always) have a decent amount of property surrounding the home. To truly be considered a mansion, it should also have luxe features that set the house apart. These features may include:

• Many large rooms fitted with luxury and high-end appliances and finishes. For example, a regular house might have a sizable kitchen - but a mansion might have a separate catering kitchen on top of the regular kitchen. There might be walk-in closets, dressing rooms, multiple laundry rooms, and many rooms designated for entertaining (such as a drawing room or parlor).
• Areas for entertainment. A mansion may be its own separate world, with everything the homeowners need in one place. Amenities may include a gorgeous swimming pool with a spa area, a home theater, an indoor basketball court or bowling alley, and plenty of space outside for outdoor recreation.
• Separate buildings. A mansion is often more than just a large house—it may include multiple structures, such as a pool house, a guest house, or a carriage house.
• Special facilities. A mansion may have unique features that make it stand out, such as elaborately landscaped grounds and a garden, a greenhouse, a wine cellar, tennis courts, or a gorgeous pool with luxury features.

Expensive Finishes

Importantly, mansions will have more expensive finishes - not builder’s grade options. For example, the floors will be real hardwood (often patterned uniquely) instead of luxury vinyl planks. There may be expensive wallpaper, built-in furniture, and higher-end touches like highly detailed moldings and pricey paint.

How To Search For Available Mansions For Sale

As noted above, houses are rarely described as “mansions” in real estate listings. There are a few reasons why this isn’t done. First, there isn’t a clear-cut definition of what a mansion is. Second, for people in the market for a house of this size and quality, it may be considered gauche to describe the property in this way.

This reality can make it difficult to spot a mansion in property listings. If you’re in the market for a larger-than-life home, there are certain buzzwords that you can look for that may tip you off that a house is a mansion, including:

• Square footage
• Use of phrases like estate, hacienda, manor, private island, vineyard property, or ranch
• The terms exclusive, upscale, or luxury
• Price, which will typically be much higher than the average home sale price for a particular area

Keep in mind that what is considered a mansion may be very different based on location. For example, a mansion in a Western state like Colorado may be described as a 10,000-square-foot ranch with a thousand acres of property. In New York City, a 2,000-square-foot penthouse apartment or brownstone may be considered a mansion.

In the Tampa region, a mansion may be quite large. It will typically have a pool and other outdoor features, such as tennis courts. It may also be situated on the water.

A good example of a mansion is the house that Tom Brady lived in on Davis Islands in downtown Tampa. Built by Derek Jeter, It has 22,000 square feet plus 9,000 feet of terraces on 1.25 acres. The house includes 7 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms, a theater, a club room with a bar, an au pair suite, a full gym, an 80-foot lap pool, and a dock with 2 boat lifts. Brady was reportedly renting the house for $75,000 per month before it went on the market for a cool $29,000,000. The home sold in 2021 and is scheduled to be torn down and replaced by another mansion.

Of course, most residents of Hillsborough County don’t have the budget of a star NFL quarterback. But if you’re in the market for a higher-end house, there are plenty of neighborhoods and suburbs where you can find a large, luxurious home to meet your needs.

Mansions vs. McMansions

No talk of mansions would be complete without a discussion of a related term - McMansion. The phrase arose in the 1980s as a pejorative way to describe large, mass-produced houses in the suburbs. McMansions are often built in developments with many of the same styles in a neighborhood.

McMansions are usually large homes but differ from mansions in several key respects. McMansions are usually not custom-built homes but are instead built in large quantities by developers. They often have grand features like large entryways and multi-car garages that don’t quite match the lot size or surroundings. Most do not look unique but instead are slight variations of other homes in the same neighborhood.

McMansions are often built with lower-quality materials, such as drywall instead of plastered walls, or builder-grade doors. While they often have some luxury features - like home theaters - these options are less luxe than in a mansion. They are usually on relatively small lots and lack many of the amenities (like separate buildings, large driveways, or tennis courts) that make a mansion. In many cases, the architectural elements clash - as often mocked by the blog McMansion Hell.

While McMansions get a lot of criticism, they also serve a purpose. These houses offer more buyers the ability to purchase a larger home in a more suburban setting. They are also a more accessible way to get some more high-end features in a house - like large primary bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and walk-in closets.

If you are in the market for a mansion, then one of the key ways to distinguish it from a McMansion in a listing is by looking at the surrounding community. If one developer built the homes in the neighborhood and most of them look similar and are on small lots, it is probably a McMansion. If the house is unique and not in a development, it is probably a mansion. If you have questions, a Hillsborough County real estate agent can help you find the right home for you.

From Condos To Mansions - We’ll Help You Find Your Dream Home In Hillsborough County

The word mansion brings up visions of luxury and style. While you may not find the term in a property listing, there are certain things that you can look at to determine if a property listing is indeed a mansion. If you want an upscale property, we can help you find exactly what you need.

At Eaton Realty, we know our clients have their own goals (and budget) for buying a house. We take a thoughtful approach to real estate, listening to our clients and offering advice based on decades in the construction and real estate industries. Whether you are searching for the best neighborhood or want to buy a showstopper of a house, our seasoned Tampa Realtors can guide you through the process. We won’t just show you properties - we will help you understand inspection reports and disclosures and negotiate a deal for your dream house.

If you want to buy, sell, or rent a house of any size in Hillsborough County, we are here to help. We also offer Tampa property management services for landlords in and around Tampa. Learn more by filling out our online contact form, or call us at 813-672-8022 to talk to a real estate team member.