Trends Dominating the Luxury Market in 2026
Wealthy buyers in 2026 are prioritizing multigenerational layouts, privacy and flexible spaces that reflect broader lifestyle and financial planning goals.
NEW YORK — The 2026 Luxury Outlook report by Sotheby's International Realty finds that many wealthy buyers are looking for homes that can accommodate multiple generations, with Gen Xers and millennials looking for properties that work for aging parents and young children.
The report found that one in five home purchases in the United States were made by buyers looking to live with relatives beyond their immediate family, including grandparents who could potentially cover some of the costs. Detached apartments and guesthouses are priorities among wealthy home buyers, with adjoining apartments that create multigenerational spaces increasingly in demand in Miami and New York.
Architects and designers are taking note and creating homes with multiple primary bedroom suites that have private bathrooms, small office spaces, and sitting rooms.
"These little details create a sense of equals across multiple generations that have chosen to purchase a property together," Sotheby's Bradley Nelson says.
Some families are looking to create a home with communal child or elder care, while others are looking for a vacation home in which their extended family can spend more time together on vacation.
Privacy and security are also top-of-mind for many wealthy home buyers. Some wealthy buyers also are thinking less about primary homes and more about their "overall portfolio," says Sotheby's John Young.
Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, indicates, "At the lower end of the luxury market spectrum, home buyers are a little more sensitive to their overall net worth and the stock market."
Source: Bloomberg (01/07/26) Rappaport, Sarah
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