Shows Luxury Residences Leading the Year’s Real Estate Market
2026 Report Reveals Insights on Effects of US$6 Trillion in Inherited Wealth, Surge in Foreign Buyer Activity in the U.S., and Increased Threshold for Luxury Homes
Denver, CO (January 21, 2026) – Sotheby’s International Realty recently released its 2026 Luxury Outlook® report, analyzing the evolving state of global luxury real estate markets and the economic policies and factors that influence them most. The latest edition offers insights into the trends and developments shaping the sector.
“What’s particularly interesting is the growing interest in lifestyle destinations beyond the traditional gateway cities—places like Charleston, South Carolina; Nashville, Tennessee; and ski markets in Colorado and Utah,” says Philip A. White Jr., president and CEO, Sotheby’s International Realty. “These offer compelling value propositions for international homebuyers seeking lifestyle experiences.”
After outperforming traditional real estate in both sales and value in 2025, the luxury market is expected to continue its upward trajectory in 2026. Key findings include the US$6 trillion inherited in 2025, a transfer of generational wealth that is becoming a major demand driver for luxury real estate, a 44% surge in foreign buyer activity in the U.S., and the threshold for a luxury home in the U.S. is rising, with national expectations starting at around $1.3 million; higher than in many other countries.
Shannel Ryan, president, LIV Sotheby’s International Realty, adds, “Colorado’s luxury market has remained steady over the last year with an increase in inventory towards the end of 2025, creating normalcy in some regions that experienced chaos during and after the pandemic.”
The 2026 Luxury Outlook report draws on insights from Sotheby’s International Realty agents worldwide who specialize in transactions in the US$10M+ price category. Their expertise is complemented by data from industry leaders, including JPMorgan Private Bank, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Cerulli Associates, Henley & Partners, UBS, and the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
Key takeaways in the report include:
- Luxury real estate continues to outperform the general housing market, driven by sustained wealth creation and less sensitivity to macroeconomic factors.
- Generational wealth transfers reached $6 trillion in 2025, 10% of global GDP, and will continue fuelling luxury demand.
- To respond to the changing market conditions, both home buyers and sellers should consider “first mover advantage” as acting decisively benefits them – early movers often secure better deals or faster sales.
- 60% of affiliated agents have reported that lifestyle factors and integration of wellness amenities, ski/golf communities are more important than ever in influencing buyer decisions.
- Growing demand for homes that accommodate multiple generations, driven by legacy planning and lifestyle.
- The appeal for branded residences continues to grow as high-service, low-maintenance living is expanding globally, such as the Six Senses in Telluride.
Click here to read the complete report.
About LIV Sotheby’s International Realty
LIV Sotheby’s International Realty services the Front Range markets of Boulder, Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Colorado Springs, Denver, Evergreen, Golden, and Northern Colorado as well as the resort markets of Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Dillon, Telluride, Vail, and Winter Park. Our expert real estate professionals provide local expertise for buyers and sellers in Colorado combined with the global reach of the Sotheby’s International Realty brand. Contact LIV Sotheby’s International Realty by calling 303.893.3200 or visiting livsothebysrealty.com for all your real estate needs.
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