10 High-End Luxury Home Real Estate Companies in the US

Luxury homes come with a hefty price tag. They also suggest a lifestyle typically desired by the affluent homeowner, whether that lifestyle centers around tax advantages, views, exclusivity, or other amenities.

Buying and selling high-end luxury properties demands expertise not found in the average real estate agent. Professionals like Cyndi DePalermo, a top real estate agent in Dickinson, Texas who deals with high-end properties, are held to higher standards; the level of expectation is greater.

If you’re searching for high-end real estate companies or an experienced luxury home Realtor®, we’ll help you with your search and show you what you should be looking for in an agent.

What is a luxury home?

Luxury properties are commonly described as those valued at $2 million to $40 million — and up. That depends, however, on the market. Perhaps a better yardstick is to consider luxury properties to be within the top 10% of the local market. Thus, the price could range from a million to 100 times that.

According to DePalermo, luxury properties are “geographically defined.” What is considered high-end luxury on the coast will be different than in the suburbs. “It can be a price point or an amenity.” In southeastern Texas, where she works, waterfront properties command a premium. In other areas, it might be a view. For many rural communities, it’s acreage.

It typically takes longer to sell a luxury home than an average home, DePalermo observes. However, while higher interest rates have decelerated the real estate market in many parts of the country, those on the hunt for a luxury property have been largely unaffected by the changing economic conditions.

Recent data from Robb Report indicates that high-end properties in places like Silicon Valley and Seattle are maintaining sales at a fast pace. As of May 2024, the average time a single-family home spent on the market was 44 days. Comparatively, high-end homes in Silicon Valley are selling in 11 days, while luxury homes in Seattle are averaging 7 days on the market.

Since the pool of buyers for high-end luxury homes is smaller than for the average home, and days on market (DOM) can be longer, it’s important to find the right agent: someone with experience, connections, knowledge of the area, and the right pricing and marketing strategies.

Only a select group of real estate companies qualify to work with ultra-high-net-worth individuals (classified as individuals with assets of $30 million or more) looking to purchase or sell luxury properties featuring premium materials, upscale amenities, prime location, and unique architecture.

What is a luxury home real estate broker?

There are several qualities and qualifications to look for in a luxury real estate broker. DePalermo is a member of the Luxury Home Council and an accredited luxury home specialist. To earn that designation, she had to take courses and sell a specific number of luxury properties within a defined time period. She also has to know patterns and trends in the market, as well as the needs and desires of her clients, along with where they live, work, and play.

Beyond knowing the market, agents in the high-end real estate market should have a list of contacts — both clients and other agents — ensconced in the luxury trade. This could include a network of exclusive organizations.

A high-end real estate agent should have a savvy marketing strategy that includes the use of digital marketing and social media. Roughly 4.95 billion people worldwide use various forms of social media, with more than 5.3 billion of them on Instagram, a photo-rich platform conducive to showing properties, and more than 2.7 billion monthly active users on YouTube, a video platform ideal for showing the features of real estate listings.

What makes a good high-end agent or agency?

When you’re looking for a brokerage, real estate company, or Realtor, keep these criteria in mind:

Reputation and experience with high-end luxury home sales: Reputation and branding are important in all business transactions, but perhaps even more so in the high-end real estate market. An agent should be an expert on the market. And remember, they are selling a lifestyle. “An agent should dress the part,” DePalermo says. They should also consider driving luxury vehicles and joining exclusive social clubs.

Ability to provide niche services catering to luxury homebuyers and sellers: Luxury home sellers and buyers can be a demanding group. Providing top-notch service might include drone footage or short videos highlighting the property’s features. It could involve contacting target markets. DePalermo’s clients “want everything in one package.” She develops a customized plan that includes staging at no cost, the offer of closing electronically (particularly for clients living abroad), and recommendations for moving companies.

National Association of Realtors certification: Agents can study the niche luxury market to learn pricing strategies, negotiation tactics, and more. By completing 13 credit hours of programs and passing exams, NAR members may earn a Luxury Homes Certification.