NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - The very wealthy want pretty much what everyone else wants in a home – just more of it.

That's according to a study released recently by the Harrison Group in conjunction with Worth magazine. The study surveyed members of 500 households with net investable assets of at least $5 million -- the median was $28 million, the top half percentile or so of the population.

Luxury homes Six from around the country. Photo Gallery See more photos

The survey found that wealthy Americans usually pay cash for their house, typically a seven-figure, stand-alone on a good-sized lot in an upscale suburb. The homes tend to be oversized, according to Jim Taylor, who led the survey team, and one of the reasons is that their owners want spots in them for every need.

That means separate media and game rooms, quarters for family members no longer inhabiting the house full-time and guest rooms for more casual visitors.

With most of their purchases, newly monied Americans at first tend to be conservative spenders. Home buying is an exception to this pattern. "In the early stages of wealth, up to 10 years after individuals became very rich, they display a bit of reluctance to spend money," says Taylor. "It's a lot easier rationalizing spending a lot for a house."

And they continue to pour money into their houses after purchase, between $100,000 to $250,000 in taxes, upgrades and maintenance every year. Upgrades account for about $50,000 of that total with kitchen renovations the most popular remodeling job, followed by baths and landscaping.

In addition, they are looking toward the future and they don't want to spend their last months or years in an institution. "The home amenity of the future figures to be a home-suite medical care facility," says Taylor, "where aging moguls can be nursed in the comfort of their home."

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