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If you asked me to define luxury in one word right now, it wouldn’t be a thing at all. It would be time.
How This Shift Happened
I’ve watched this change unfold gradually over three decades. Clients used to want more — more square footage, more finishes, more visible signs of success. Increasingly, what they actually want is what all of that used to cost them: time.
A shorter commute. The ability to walk somewhere instead of driving. A home that doesn’t demand constant upkeep and attention. That’s the real luxury for most of my clients today, and I’ve come to believe it probably always should have been.
What This Looks Like in Practice
This shift shows up in specific, practical priorities: proximity to work or daily destinations, low-maintenance building amenities versus large private yards requiring upkeep, and floor plans that support an easy daily routine rather than impressive but rarely used formal spaces.
Why This Matters for Your Search
Understanding this shift changes how to evaluate a potential home. Rather than asking primarily how large a property is, it’s worth asking how much time it will save or cost you
on an ordinary week — commute time, maintenance time, the mental overhead of managing a larger property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this mean smaller homes are now more desirable than larger ones? Not necessarily smaller, but more efficient — homes designed around how time is actually spent rather than around maximizing square footage.
How does this affect where people choose to live? It’s part of why walkable, centrally located neighborhoods like Century City and Westwood have seen such strong demand — they directly deliver time savings.
Is this trend consistent across all luxury price points? Yes, though it manifests differently — from smaller high-rise units at one end to more efficiently designed larger estates at the other.
Rethinking What You’re Really Buying
If you had to choose — more space, or more time back in your day — which would you pick? I’m glad to help you find a home that reflects your honest answer.
