What does $1M buy in St George real estate?

When I was a kid, I thought living in a "Million Dollar House" was an absolute mansion.  My parents built a new house when I was about 5 years old and it cost about $32,000.  Brand NEW!   My mom said she thought my dad was crazy and wondered how they would cover the mortgage of $104 every single month.

But over the years, household incomes have exploded to the point where 6 figures are expected and have become somewhat common.  With that came really expensive homes.

I really hate moving but for some reason, I really enjoy the "shopping for real estate" part.  I also laugh as people mispronounce realtor.  Real-TOR.  Real-A-Tor.  It's just realtor (pronounced realter).  But back to the Million Dollar House search.  I did a Zillow search to find Million Dollar Houses in our area.

When I drive by homes like this, rather than be jealous (OK, I'm a little jealous) I just a congratulate them on their accomplishments.  But wow.  Is that cool or what?

Who has a bathroom like this?

I think this looks like a castle with all that stone

Just over a year ago, home loan interest rates had fallen to 2.6% or even less for some and those who'd never had a shot at a million dollar home were now lining up to buy them.

When we bought our house, there was such a buying frenzy that my realtor would call me as I was driving to the next home we were going to look at, to let me know it had "Already sold".  And we weren't the ones fighting with the people leaving California with a million or two in equity and buying homes here in Southern Utah ...for CASH.

And why not add a pool while you're at it?

This is so much like my backyard.  'Yours too?

Even the garages are cool.

I'm still dreaming of having a home like this someday.

As my friends ask, "Can you imagine living there?"   Uh, I just did.

OK, now I'm jealous

I don't begrudge anyone having a house like this but I do find myself dreaming of living there as I take a tour or even go through the pictures.

It sometimes hurts when I see a bathroom that's cooler than my entire house.

When I drive by really cool houses, rather than just be filled with envy, I remind myself the people who live there actually "applied themselves" when they were in college.  Most of us just played.  Some got lucky with business that took off or they came up with some sort of app or software program.  I salute their success.  And I enjoyed seeing the inside of these homes in the only way I probably ever will.  Spinning through Zillow ads.