The luxury real estate landscape in 2025 is evolving—and fast. According to a recent Coldwell Banker report, high-net-worth buyers are beginning to diverge into two clear groups: those making bold, all-cash moves, and those pressing pause until rates drop.
At the top of the market, ultra-wealthy buyers (with $30M+ net worth) are still active—snapping up prime properties and paying cash. Why? In a climate of high borrowing costs and economic uncertainty, real estate remains one of the most stable, wealth-preserving investments available. Cash offers provide leverage, speed, and control—making them more appealing than ever.
Meanwhile, affluent but less liquid buyers are treading carefully. They’re more sensitive to interest rates, making their offers slower and more strategic. Still, when they do engage, they’re more discerning—asking for chef’s kitchens, wellness amenities, and indoor-outdoor living as the new standard.
At the national level, luxury home sales dipped slightly in May, with a 4.7% drop in single-family homes and a more significant 21.1% drop in attached luxury properties. Locally, we’re seeing list prices adjust and buyers holding out for turnkey, lifestyle-driven homes that reflect today’s elevated expectations.
This shift is creating opportunity.
If you’re a seller in the Main Line, Philadelphia, or Jersey Shore, now’s the time to strategically market your home to cash buyers—who are still very much in the market. If you’re a buyer, understanding where you fall on this spectrum can help you better navigate your next purchase.
Let’s tailor your strategy to today’s market.
Whether you’re buying or selling, we’ll make sure you move with confidence.
Contact Sean Elstone today for a strategized plan!
Photo Credits: Ryan Tishken | Istock | Getty Images
