In a time where most real estate markets have declined and many experts argue that the bubble has indeed burst as home prices are increasing much less slowly than they were a year ago [1], the trend in luxury home sales is far from declining. [2] Luxury home sales have been booming, and not just in retirement areas such as Arizona, Florida, and Nevada [3], but in other areas of the country including Manhattan and California. [4] This trend has also been recently recognized internationally in Russia, Great Britain, and Canada. [5] So, why are the luxury markets booming while the housing market in general is tanking? The answer lies in an exploration of the population, economics, and employment rates. [6]
According to the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, a group comprised of Realtors and members of the National Association of Home Builders, luxury homes are those considered to