Global Luxury Market Report - September 2022

The September 2022 Institute for Luxury Home Marketing monthly trend report is out now! CLICK HERE to download the full report. We are happy to share this information to you from our personal resources! The following is per the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing September 2022 Market Report:

"While it is contended that we are moving towards a buyer’s market, the current data for August 2022 shows that conditions in most luxury markets are still favorable to sellers – of the 140 single-family markets showcased in our report, 106 remain seller markets.

Market Changes to Consider
Over the last few months, the luxury real estate market has experienced the return of a more normal pace for those looking to buy and sell their homes. Recent trends also continue to show a considerable moderation in the number of sales and the rate of price increases, which has certainly taken the pressure off the market.
While it is contended that we are moving towards a buyer’s market, the current data for August 2022 shows that conditions in most luxury markets are still favorable to sellers – of the 140 single-family markets showcased in our report, 106 remain seller markets. However, the sales ratio percentage, which measures the rate of sales against available inventory each month, is trending downwards in most markets month over month, in comparison to 2021 levels.
Whether the overall luxury real estate market moves towards a balanced or buyer’s market will likely depend on changes in inventory levels and whether the available homes match buyers' demand. Even at the height of the buyer frenzy in spring 2021, homes that were considerably over-priced or needed extensive renovations or repairs often remained unsold.
Demand for move-in-ready properties remains a top priority for affluent buyers who have little time or desire to embark on any more than simple updating projects. As we highlighted last month, properties that are fully furnished, down to kitchen utensils, dishware, and all the soft furnishings, are highly prized, often seeing some of the shortest days on the market.
The level of inventory may have risen since May 2022, and now approximately 50% higher for single family homes and 18% for attached properties compared to August 2021, but of greater significance is that the number of new listings entering the market has continued to drop since June 2022. Expectations are that these numbers will rise as we enter the fall season, but it seems that some luxury sellers are hesitant to enter the current market.

Return to Urban Living
An increasing number of buyers are starting to return to the larger metropolitan cities for multiple reasons, including simply missing the lifestyle or looking for a potential investment opportunity.
This door may close soon, as also in the mix are foreign investors (now that travel restrictions are easing) and first-time buyers heading to urban markets looking for the opportunity to purchase a property. Experts predict that city markets may see stronger returns on investment than their suburban counterparts.

Emerging City Neighborhoods
While cities are starting to experience an influx of new and returning buyers, some of the best deals may be found in emerging neighborhoods. Before the pandemic, many of these inner, mid-city communities and industrial areas had been on trend for gentrification.
Cities from Vancouver and Toronto in Canada to Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, and San Francisco in the US saw their emerging neighborhoods stall in 2020 as people chose to purchase away from the more crowded metropolitan communities.
Today, emerging neighborhoods not only afford buyers better values but have the potential to create greater equity returns. These are ideal for buyers ready to invest in a property for the longer term, understanding that they are buying early and will need to wait for the neighborhood to evolve and mature.

New Priorities
As we enter the latter part of 2022, mainly due to the historic rise in property values over the last 24 months, many affluent are now starting to reprioritize with a keen eye on market stability and potential returns.
Which trends will see better investment return; larger estate-sized homes, properties with views, those located on expansive land, or smaller homes closer to amenities, are questions being asked of our luxury real estate professionals.
The answer may lie in reviewing the sales data for the last six months, which reveals that luxury mid-sized homes ranging from 3,000 to 3,500 sq ft are proving to be in the greatest demand for single family homes and 1,500 to 2,000 sq ft for attached properties.
While people want extra space, they do not want to be overwhelmed with larger debt, especially as interest rates continue to rise. Equally, land and privacy are still important, but as things return to normal, the shift back to living closer to amenities and locations closer to work are becoming the main priority once more.

Time to Diversify
Now that remote working is mainstream, there is still an increased focus on investing in real estate that aligns with people’s lifestyle choices.
Vacation and second home properties are expected to continue to increase in popularity, especially for those who need escape options from their primary property. The affluent are continuing to seek diversity in their lifestyle, and owning multiple properties, whether in the city, mountains, or beach locations, is an important facet in meeting that requirement.
The art of selling and buying in this market needs a critical and analytical approach; understanding the realities and setting expectations accordingly will ensure that goals are achieved. For homeowners looking to buy or sell in today’s market, we recommend working with a Realtor who can capitalize on the preferences, trends, and demands in this dynamic and evolving environment. 

The following is the Luxury Monthly Market Review of Single-Family Homes for the Raleigh-Durham Market:

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