We have some solid private money options within our network for those luxury deals when they come up (I'm local to SFV/Calabasas and there's a handful of groups headquartered here willing to do them) but I'm always interested to see if there's a more aggressive option out there to make it a win win with the borrowers. 

That seems like a lot to pay for the hope of appreciation and the ability to have free lodging every year for a family ski trip.It is interesting how the realtor appealed to my emotions.

It screams luxury and that is the route I would be taking with it!

I put down luxury vinyl planking throughout the house and 4-inch base, except for the kitchen and the converted garage that already had tile.

If you are a part-time investor who can afford to cherry-pick deals, then you could have the luxury of only doing deals with your 30% profit margin.

Flooring preference is tile, followed by luxury vinyl plank.

I don't know that the rent itself would scale with the property unless I converted it into some sort of luxury option in the area?

Some luxury estates only pay around $600 USD a year in taxes.  

I been looking at luxury vacation condos in Mexico.

From the sounds of it you do not have that luxury.