Key facts
- Prospective buyer interest in U.S. luxury real estate doubled in the first five months of 2026.
- Affluent buyers are increasingly purchasing larger properties and adjacent homes for privacy and multigenerational living.
- Searches for unique properties like estates and castles increased 146% year over year.
- International buyer inquiries for U.S. luxury real estate doubled in the first five months of 2026.
- All-cash purchases increased, with nearly two-thirds of luxury property specialists reporting this trend.
- Median sale prices for the top 5% of luxury homes increased 8% year over year.
Prospective buyer interest in U.S. luxury real estate doubled in the first five months of 2026, according to Coldwell Banker Real Estate's Global Luxury 2026 Mid-Year Report. The report also highlights a growing trend of affluent buyers seeking larger properties and adjacent homes to enhance privacy, preserve views, and accommodate multigenerational living.
The report, which draws on luxury home sales data, global wealth and real estate firm research, and a survey of Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Property Specialists, found that buyers are expanding their portfolios, increasing all-cash purchases, and prioritizing properties with long-term investment value. The U.S. is also seeing increased interest from international luxury buyers, particularly in California and New York.
Affluent buyers are increasingly prioritizing larger properties and land, with many purchasing adjacent parcels. Searches for unique properties, such as estates and castles, surged by 146% year over year, while land searches rose by 97%. Nearly 40% of surveyed specialists indicated that buyers are willing to compromise on a property's condition for a desirable location. Luxury single-family home sales saw a 2.8% increase year over year, contrasting with a 3.8% decline in attached properties.
Global buyer inquiries for U.S. luxury real estate doubled during the first five months of 2026. California led in international buyer inquiries, followed by New York and Florida, with New York showing the strongest growth in international interest. The top 10% of the single-family housing market across 120 U.S. markets experienced a $3.7 billion year-over-year increase in sales volume, with nearly 60% of this growth attributed to the top 1% to 5% of the luxury market. Over 82% of luxury property specialists reported that their clients are maintaining or increasing their real estate holdings, and 78% expressed confidence in the luxury housing market, viewing it more as a safe-haven investment than a year prior.
Ultra-high-net-worth buyers continue to drive luxury sales, while buyers just below this segment are more cautious. All-cash purchases have increased, with nearly two-thirds of specialists reporting this trend, up from 51% a year earlier. A widening wealth divide was identified as an active trend in many markets. In May 2026, the top 5% of luxury transactions accounted for 65.6% of total single-family luxury sales volume, with median sale prices increasing 8% for the top 5% of homes. While luxury inventory declined year-over-year, many affluent homeowners are awaiting greater economic certainty before listing. Nearly 60% of specialists expect inventory to increase in the second half of 2026 as seller confidence improves.