Longevity is emerging as one of the most influential forces shaping the global luxury housing market according to Sotheby’s International Realty’s 2026 Mid-Year Luxury Outlook report.
The report suggests affluent buyers are increasingly viewing property not simply as a financial asset, but as a long-term lifestyle investment designed to support health, wellbeing and ageing in place.
It comes as record wealth creation and a growing number of younger high-net-worth buyers continue to drive demand across the prime residential sector.
Wellness-focused housing has become a major part of that trend, with buyers placing greater emphasis on homes that can support healthier lifestyles over the long term.
GLOBAL MARKET
According to the report, the global longevity market is forecast to grow from US$5.3 trillion in 2023 to US$8 trillion by 2030, while the wellness real estate sector is expected to exceed US$1.1 trillion by 2029.
Nearly 38% of real estate professionals operating in the US$10 million-plus market say ageing in place is becoming an increasingly important consideration for luxury purchasers.
The research also found that luxury property continues to outperform the wider housing market, supported by strong stock market performance, technology wealth and cryptocurrency gains.
More than half (55%) of luxury property professionals reported an increase in high-net-worth buyers over the past year, while 66% reported growing participation from Millennial purchasers.
Lifestyle considerations were cited as a more important factor in buying decisions than taxation, economic stability or political stability.
INFORMED DECISION MAKING
Bradley Nelson, Chief Marketing Officer at Sotheby’s International Realty, says: “As we celebrate 50 years of Sotheby’s International Realty, this report mirrors the strength of a brand built on insight, trust, and global perspective.
“This edition of Luxury Outlook reveals a housing market that consumers are actively experiencing. What stands out this year is the emergence of longevity as a defining force in luxury real estate.
“Homebuyers aren’t just investing in a home; they’re investing in how they want to live and age. At the same time, wealth at the top end continues to expand, and homebuyers are younger and more open to seeking properties in new locations.
“The result is a luxury property market that moves faster, feels more competitive, and requires more informed decision-making. This report helps bring clarity for both affiliated agents and the clients they serve.”
LONGEVITY DRIVING INTEREST
Philip White, President and CEO of Sotheby’s International Realty, adds: “The global luxury real estate market continues to endure, even as the forces shaping it evolve.
“This resilience is most evident in leading global cities, which continue to attract strong interest from the world’s most sophisticated homebuyers.
“Longevity is increasingly driving that interest too. It’s no longer just where folks want to live, but how they want to live as they age.
“What we are seeing in the industry is not a short-term change, but a sustained shift in how global wealth is stored, transferred, and expressed through property.
“It underscores a simple reality: while motivations are changing, prime real estate can be one of the most trusted ways people preserve and express wealth.”
Main picture: 4 Staple Street, Tribeca, New York, NY 10013
4 Staple Street is one of Tribeca’s most distinctive historic townhouses, located on a small cobbled street dating back to the 19th century. The area is known for its celebrity residents, converted warehouse lofts and some of Manhattan’s highest residential values.
On the market for $22 million.
