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Luxury Lens: Is upsizing until it’s time to downsize a thing of the past?

Quite possibly. More and more buyers want homes they can live in for life—especially at the top end of the market.

38% of US$10M+ real estate professionals worldwide say homebuyers increasingly want to “age in place,” according to the 2026 Mid-Year Luxury Outlook® agent survey, published by Sotheby’s International Realty, June 15, 2026.

U.S. buyers meanwhile pay 22% more per square foot for “multigenerational” homes, configured to let residents enjoy the property throughout their lives, reports “Under the Same Roof: Multigenerational Living in the U.S.” by Realtor.com, May 5, 2026.

Infographic: 38% of homebuyers plan to age in place, the lifelong home price premium is 22% higher than standard listings, 19% of home buyers age 46-60 purchase multigenerational homes.

On top of this, almost one in five U.S. homes purchased by 46-60-year-olds between July 2024 and June 2025 was a multigenerational residence, according to the “2026 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report” by the National Association of REALTORSⓇ, April 15, 2026.

Even 27-35 year-olds are in on the trend, with multigenerational homes they can age into making up 9% of their purchases, the same study shows. 

Cover Property: Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty

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