The “Three L’s” of Real Estate, location, location, location, remain as the most important aspect of home valuations, but when it comes to luxury in 2026 and beyond, here are my TOP 11 C’s of Luxury:

1. Curated:  Extremely customized and personal, a design that does not mimic the trend of the day. Unique design with elements and objects personally collected rather than gathered by a designer purely for the sake of an Instagram post.

2. Cultured:  Homes with some provenance, those difficult or impossible to replicate. Homes that display art and sculptures well. Homes close to substantive cultural institutions.

3. Connected: Technology that works simply and effectively, seamlessly. 

4. Conscious: Energy efficiency and the ability to operate off the grid in an emergency. Materials and systems that are good for the planet, that don't pollute excessively.

5. Calming: Design that allows for unwinding, de-stressing, enjoying friends and family, and peace and quiet. Soothing spaces that are often connected to nature.

6. Constructive:  Homes that are engineered for today with temperature and humidity levels that remain consistent throughout the day, night, and year. Well-engineered homes that can withstand weather-related elements such as wind, fires, excessive heat or cold.

7. Compartmentalization:  Big open spaces are wonderful for entertaining on a grand scale, but many owners of larger homes also seek comfortable, cocooning compartments, even really small, cozy spaces.

8. Convenience: Walkability and shorter commutes are a time-saving luxury. Time is the last luxury.

9. Community: Real luxury for most is not being the sole owner of a luxe home in the middle of nowhere (although there is an audience for this too). Being surrounded or close to people with whom you might be comfortable sharing restaurants, shops, clubs, common amenities, etc, matters. 

10. Care: Ease of maintenance, staffing, and security matter more than ever before, all delivered in a highly discreet yet effective, efficient manner. Care also applies to personal health-related elements and amenities, including saunas, swimming pools, gyms, meditation areas, etc.

11. Condition: A growing percent of ultra-luxe buyers want fully finished, high-quality craftsmanship and materials and preferably new or pretty close to brand new. The desire for a lengthy, stressful, expensive renovation has waned in recent years.