After thirty years selling real estate here, the biggest shift I’ve seen isn’t about finishes or square footage. It’s about what people actually want their life to feel like.
How Buyer Priorities Have Shifted
Buyers used to chase the biggest house on the block — the most square footage, the grandest entrance, the most dramatic curb appeal. Increasingly, I’m seeing something different: buyers asking about walkability, natural light, proximity to daily conveniences, and how a home will actually feel to live in day to day, rather than how it will look to visitors.
Why This Shift Happened
Part of this is generational, and part of it reflects a broader cultural shift toward valuing time and experience over visible status. It’s less about impressing people who visit occasionally, and more about how a home feels on an ordinary Tuesday morning.
What This Means for Today’s Luxury Market
This shift has real implications for how homes are valued and marketed. A well-located, light-filled home with strong walkability increasingly commands attention that used to go automatically to larger, more remote properties. Developers and sellers who understand this are adjusting accordingly — emphasizing lifestyle and location over raw size in their marketing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this mean square footage doesn’t matter anymore? It still matters, but it’s no longer the primary driver of value the way it once was. Light, layout, and location increasingly carry more weight in a buyer’s decision.
Is this trend specific to certain neighborhoods? It’s most visible in walkable, amenity- rich areas like Century City, Beverly Hills, and West Hollywood, but the underlying shift in priorities shows up across price points and neighborhoods.
How does this affect resale value? Homes that align with these newer priorities —
walkability, light, lifestyle fit — tend to hold and appreciate in value more consistently than homes valued primarily on size alone.
A Shift Worth Understanding
If you’re buying or selling in today’s market, understanding this shift matters. I’m glad to walk you through how it applies to your specific situation, whether you’re purchasing your next home or preparing to sell your current one.