Sotheby’s International Realty 2026 Mid-Year Luxury Outlook reveals longevity as the breakout trend in luxury real estate, as record wealth and Millennial homebuyers continue to fuel demand.
DENVER, CO (June 17, 2026) – LIV Sotheby’s International Realty 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.
“The report reinforces what we see every day across Colorado’s luxury markets: today’s buyers are making decisions through the lens of lifestyle, not just economics. Tax policy, financial conditions, and political climate all matter, but at the highest levels, buyers are ultimately choosing how they want to live,” says Shannel Ryan, President Colorado, LIV Sotheby’s International Realty. “Colorado continues to stand apart because it offers something increasingly rare — access to natural beauty, wellness, privacy, community, and a deeply personal sense of place. Our role is to understand that vision first and then help clients find the property that brings it to life.”
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.
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.
Click here to read the complete report.
- Five Wall Street Investors Explain How They’re Approaching the Coming Year, The Wall Street Journal, January 1, 2026
- 2. Sotheby’s International Realty, 2026 Mid-Year Sotheby’s International Realty Agent Survey
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 at 303.893.3200 for more information.
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