Based
on
three
years
of

luxury
home
sales
data
and
a
survey
of
more
than
100
Coldwell
Banker
specialists,
the
report
concludes
that
younger,
affluent
buyers
are
redefining
luxury
real
estate
priorities
—
emphasizing
lifestyle
fit,
long-term
value
and
functionality
over
traditional
status
markers.

“The
next
generations
are
inheriting
a
historic
amount
of
wealth
and
approaching
luxury
with
intention,”
said
Michael
Altneu,
vice
president
of
the
Coldwell
Banker
Global
Luxury
program.
“They
are
choosing
homes
that
reflect
their
identity,
support
their
day-to-day
lifestyles
and
protect
long-term
financial
value.
For
many,
real
estate
has
become
a
strategic
piece
of
their
wealth
planning
and
a
sanctuary
for
their
well-being.”

Luxury
market
diverges
from
broader
housing
trends

As
the
wealth
transfer
accelerates,
the

report
finds
that
luxury
housing
activity
has
started
to
separate
from
broader
residential
market
conditions.

While
higher
interest
rates
and

affordability
pressures
have
slowed
activity
in
some
segments,
affluent
buyers
continue
to
expand
their
real
estate
holdings.

Since
2020,
global
wealth
among
high-net-worth
individuals
has
grown
by
nearly
40%
—
including
a
29.4%
increase
in
real
estate
holdings
—
reinforcing
property’s
role
as
a
long-term
store
of
value.

Nearly
80%
of
surveyed
luxury
agents
described
their
local
markets
as
“resilient,”
citing
stable
pricing
and
consistent
inventory
turnover.
In
the
U.S.,
luxury
single-family

home
prices
rose
3%
in
2025,
while
sales
increased
4%,
according
to
the
report.

“What
we’re
seeing
is
confidence,
not
caution,”
Altneu
said.
“Luxury
buyers
are
staying
active,
prices
are
holding,
and
demand
is
concentrating
in
markets
that
offer
lifestyle
depth
and
long-term
stability.
That’s
why
these
markets
continue
to
perform.”

U.S.
positioned
as
primary
beneficiary

The
report
identifies
the
U.S.
as
the
leading
beneficiary
of
the
global
wealth
transfer,
with
an
estimated
$2.4
trillion
in
domestic

real
estate
expected
to
change
hands
over
the
next
10
years.

Individuals
with
net
worth
between
$5
million
and
$30
million
are
projected
to
drive
nearly
two-thirds
of
U.S.
property
transfers.

Since
2020,
investment
in
U.S.
luxury
real
estate
among
buyers
with
more
than
$5
million
in
net
worth
has
increased
nearly
60%
—
far
outpacing
growth
in
other
countries.

Luxury
buyers
are
also
increasingly
directing
discretionary
spending
toward
real
estate
—
a
trend
the
report
refers
to
as
“nest
investing.”

High-net-worth
households
are
prioritizing
upgrades
to
primary
residences
and
acquisitions
of
second
or
lifestyle
properties
over
personal
luxury
goods.

Home-related
spending
among
households
with
net
worth
above
$30
million
is
projected
to
grow
faster
than
spending
on
luxury
consumer
products.
Demand
is
also
accelerating
for
homes
priced
between
$3
million
and
$10
million.

“Younger
buyers
are
approaching
asset
allocation
differently
than
older
generations,”
Altneu
said.
“They’re
weighting
real
estate
more
heavily
in
their
portfolios,
signaling
a
preference
for
stability,
utility
and
long-term
value.”

New
luxury
hotspots
emerge

Shifts
in
wealth
migration
are
also
redrawing
the
luxury
real
estate
map.

The
report
highlights
emerging
luxury
markets
in
the
U.S.
South
and
Midwest,
including
Atlanta,

Nashville,
Dallas,
Salt
Lake
City,
Minneapolis
and
San
Diego.

These
markets
are
attracting
affluent
buyers
due
to
economic
diversity,
lifestyle
amenities
and
relative
stability
—
characteristics
once
associated
primarily
with
legacy
luxury
hubs
such
as
New
York
and
London,
the
report
added.

“Affluent
buyers
have
more
geographic
flexibility
than
ever
before,”
Altneu
said.
“As
wealth
becomes
more
mobile,
buyers
are
choosing
different
cities,
and
that
shift
is
changing
where
luxury
demand
concentrates
globally.”

Nearly
40%
of
surveyed
agents
said
minimum
bedroom
and
bathroom
counts
were
non-negotiable,
while
homes
with
five
or
more
bedrooms
accounted
for
nearly
two-thirds
of
luxury
single-family
inquiries.

The
average
luxury
single-family
home
sold
in
2025
measured
approximately
4,250
square
feet
—
nearly
twice
the
size
of
the
average
new
U.S.
home.

“For
today’s
ultra-luxury
buyers,
special
characteristics
matter,”
said
Jade
Mills,
president
of

Jade
Mills
Estates
and
international
ambassador
of
the
Coldwell
Banker
Global
luxury
program.
“They
want
homes
with
presence
and
lasting
value,
including
acreage
and
privacy,
forever
views
and
architectural
quality.
Homes
must
tell
a
story
to
truly
stand
out.”