Global ultra‑wealthy reshape luxury property market with rentals and land‑maxxing

Wealthy individuals are increasingly opting to rent premium residences instead of buying. In cities such as London, New York, Dubai, Singapore and Madrid, the “prime rental” market is expanding as high‑net‑worth people favor flexibility, liquidity and potential higher returns from alternative investments. Consulting firms Knight Frank, Savills and JLL note growing demand from multinational executives, athletes and entrepreneurs, and the rise of build‑to‑rent projects aimed at the ultra‑luxury segment.

In the United States a related trend dubbed “landmaxxing” sees multimillionaires acquiring adjacent parcels to create private compounds with amenities like parking decks and sports courts. Coldwell Banker data show luxury property searches doubled from January to May 2026, land‑site inquiries rose 97% year‑on‑year, and the median price of high‑end homes reached $1.83 million, up 4.7% from the previous year. “Esto es más buscado que una casa de 40 000 pies cuadrados,” said Danny Hertzberg of Coldwell Banker, adding that many buyers view such purchases as an “inflation hedge.”