Today, the Sotheby’s International Realty® brand released its 2026 Mid-Year Luxury Outlook report, revealing a fundamental force reshaping global luxury real estate: the rise of longevity-driven living. Wellness infrastructure and health-centered design are playing an important role in purchase decisions, as ultra-high-net-worth buyers increasingly seek long-term property investments that allow them to age in place. A trend that, combined with unprecedented wealth accumulation and a new generation of Millennial buyers, is transforming the global luxury real estate market.
“As we celebrate 50 years of Sotheby’s International Realty, this report mirrors the strength of a brand built on insight, trust, and global perspective,” said Bradley Nelson, chief marketing officer, Sotheby’s International Realty. “This edition of Luxury Outlook reveals a housing market that consumers are actively experiencing. What stands out this year is the emergence of longevity as a defining force in luxury real estate. Homebuyers aren’t just investing in a home; they’re investing in how they want to live and age. At the same time, wealth at the top end continues to expand, and homebuyers are younger and more open to seeking properties in new locations. The result is a luxury property market that moves faster, feels more competitive, and requires more informed decision-making. This report helps bring clarity for both affiliated agents and the clients they serve.”
The 2026 Mid-Year Luxury Outlook report draws on insights from Sotheby’s International Realty affiliated global real estate advisors worldwide who specialize in transactions in the US$10M+ price category. Their expertise is complemented by data from industry leaders including Federal Reserve, UBS, the National Association of REALTORS®, the Global Wellness Institute, and more.
Click here to read the complete report.
Key findings from the 2026 Mid-Year Luxury Outlook report include:
- Longevity is the new luxury. The global longevity market is projected to grow from US$5.3 trillion in 2023 to US$8 trillion by 2030, according to UBS Global Wealth Management. Wellness real estate has more than doubled in size in five years and is projected to surpass US$1.1 trillion by 2029. Nearly 38% of real estate professionals working in the US$10 million-and-above segment report that aging in place has become a growing factor for homebuyers.
- Luxury real estate continues to outperform the general housing market. While the broader housing market has been sluggish, the upper end has continued to show signs of strength, boosted by the stock market, technology, and crypto.1
- Record wealth is fueling demand. The net worth of the top 1% of Americans reached US$54 trillion by Q3 2025, according to the Federal Reserve, while the S&P 500 rose approximately 80% from early 2023 through 2025. Nearly 40% of the world’s millionaires reside in the United States, and researchers anticipate five million new millionaires globally by 2029.
- The luxury homebuyer pool is growing. More than half (55%) of real estate professionals surveyed who specialize in US$10 million-and-above properties reported an increase in luxury homebuyers over the past 12 months, with average price increases of 5%.2
- Millennials continue to reshape the market. 66% of real estate professionals surveyed reported an increase in Millennial homebuyers. This number rose to 73% among those working in the US$5 million-and-above segment. The increase is driven by earned wealth and accelerating intergenerational wealth transfers.2
- Lifestyle is driving real estate decisions. 62% of real estate professionals surveyed cited lifestyle as an increasingly important factor for homebuyers, ranking above taxes (60%), economic stability (53%), and political stability (49%).2
- Global cities remain resilient. Markets such as New York City, San Francisco, Hong Kong, and Milan continue to see steady activity at the top end of the property market, supported by sustained interest in prime properties.
- Tax policy is influencing luxury home purchase decisions at every level. The expansion of State and Local Tax (SALT) deductions from US$10,000 to US$40,000 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is anticipated to increase purchases of high-end residences in states with high property tax rates.
“The global luxury real estate market continues to endure, even as the forces shaping it evolve,” said Philip White, president and CEO, Sotheby’s International Realty. “This resilience is most evident in leading global cities, which continue to attract strong interest from the world’s most sophisticated homebuyers. Longevity is increasingly driving that interest too. It’s no longer just where folks want to live, but how they want to live as they age. What we are seeing in the industry is not a short-term change, but a sustained shift in how global wealth is stored, transferred, and expressed through property. It underscores a simple reality: while motivations are changing, prime real estate can be one of the most trusted ways people preserve and express wealth.”
Images: Mexico Sotheby’s International Realty, Sweden Sotheby’s International Realty
