Sotheby’s International Realty 2026 Luxury Outlook Report

After outperforming traditional real estate in 2025, across in activity and value, the report frames today’s landscape as “two real estate markets”: the luxury market and the general market, each reacting differently to the same economic backdrop.

A key theme is decisive timing. With inventory in many markets rebounding toward pre-pandemic norms, the report encourages both sellers and buyers to consider the “first mover advantage” which entails acting early when opportunities shift, whether that means pricing realistically from day one, or moving quickly when something genuinely rare comes to market.

The report also looks beyond the market mechanics to the wider influences on high-end decisions in 2026: political and economic environments, the rising influence of cryptocurrency, and how global sporting events can reshape prestige markets. It also highlights changing priorities among affluent buyers such as safety, privacy, resilience features and a notable move toward multigenerational living.

"It’s important to remember that luxury real estate often moves independently of broader market trends."  - Tammy Fahmi, Senior Vice President, Global Servicing and Strategy, Sotheby’s International Realty.

For New Zealand readers, Luxury Outlook offers a timely sense-check. It helps you see where global luxury is heading and how to apply those signals locally, whether you’re preparing to sell, searching for something exceptional, or shaping a long-term property strategy.

Read the Luxury Outlook here