According to the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury® Trend Report 2026, the high-end market continues to hold its ground despite economic uncertainty, higher borrowing costs, and geopolitical volatility. In fact, luxury home sales growth outpaced the broader housing market in 2025, signaling that affluent buyers are still active — just more intentional in how they move.
What’s changed is mindset. Today’s luxury buyer is less focused on short-term appreciation and more focused on long-term strategy: wealth preservation, lifestyle alignment, privacy, and quality of living. The report describes a buyer pool that is still confident, but more selective — willing to act decisively when a property checks the right boxes.
This is one reason luxury real estate has remained more stable than many expected. Homes are increasingly being viewed as part of a broader portfolio strategy — alongside other long-term assets — and many affluent buyers remain less dependent on financing and more insulated from short-term market swings.
For buyers and sellers alike, this creates a different kind of market: one where the best outcomes come from preparation, positioning, and strategy rather than timing headlines. The report’s takeaway is clear: luxury isn’t slowing down — it’s maturing.
What this means for clients:
In this kind of environment, expert guidance matters more than ever. Pricing, presentation, and market interpretation are no longer just tactical decisions — they’re strategic ones.
