High-end real estate is showing some interesting shifts, and not every “luxury” market is moving in the same direction. The latest data from Realtor.com’s October 2025 luxury report gives us a fresh look at which metros are heating up — and which are cooling.

Key Findings from the October 2025 Luxury Report

• One standout from the report: the metro Kahului‑Wailuku, HI — in Hawaiʻi — recorded the steepest drop in its luxury threshold, with prices falling nearly 20% year-over-year, from what had previously been much higher.

• This drop highlights how quickly luxury-price dynamics can change — especially in markets that saw strong upward swings during recent boom years, including resort-heavy or high-volatility locales.

• On the flip side, many other metros remain resilient or even see gains in their luxury segments, showing that market behavior is diverging quite a bit depending on location and conditions.

What This Means for Buyers, Sellers, and Investors

• For buyers — If you’re looking at luxury properties, this could be a window of opportunity in places like Kahului-Wailuku, where recalibration may make premium homes more attainable than during the boom.

• For sellers — It’s a reminder: high-end doesn’t guarantee high demand anymore. Pricing wisely and understanding local dynamics is more important than ever.

• For investors — Volatile luxury markets can offer opportunities — but also risk. Markets with big drops may bounce back, or they may continue softening. Monitoring trends locally (not just nationally) matters.

Broader Takeaways

• The luxury real estate market isn’t monolithic — what happens in one city or region doesn’t always reflect national trends.

• Especially in markets tied to tourism, vacation-home demand, or volatile economic cycles (like Kahului-Wailuku), luxury thresholds can shift fast.

• For anyone following or working in real estate (agents, buyers, sellers, investors), staying plugged into updated data is essential to navigate changing conditions.

Source: Realtor.com