RESIDE Blog

It’s a changing picture. Take first-time purchasers. The “2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers”, published by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) on November 4, reveals that married couples today account for just half of first-time buyer households, down from 58% in 2016 and far below the 1985 high of 75%. Taking a larger share of the first-time buyer market are unmarried couples (up from 0% in 1981 to 11% today) and single women, who now make up a quarter (25%) of first-time purchases. “Single women have homeownership as a top priority and they will find a way to obtain it,” says Jessica Lautz, deputy chief economist and vice president of research for NAR. Beyond first-time buyers, the share of all buyers with children under the age of 18 living at home has dropped to 24%—a historic low. “The median age of repeat buyers is now 62,” explains Lautz. “Being an empty nester may free up finances for these homebuyers.” Cover Property: Kailua, Hawaii

Home to the Sundance Film Festival, the appeal of this alpine town stretches far beyond the red carpet, writes Aimee L. Cook Park City, Utah | Summit Sotheby’s International Realty Each January, Park City slips on its glitziest attire as the annual Sundance Film Festival sets it buzzing. The mountain town’s historic Main Street is lit with paparazzi flashbulbs, as famous directors duck into coffee shops and moviegoers chat in lines. As the festival banners come down and the streets settle, Park City’s year-round energy and charm take center stage. The rhythm of life in this northern Utah town shifts with the seasons. Winter mornings are crisp and quiet, soundtracked by the whoosh of skis on powder. And after a sunrise ride on the chairlift, many find themselves gathering in cozy cafés. Park City’s most exclusive homes embrace this extraordinary location. Among them is 217 White Pine Canyon Road, a 4.5-acre ski-in/ski-out estate which embodies mountain modernism. In winter, glass walls frame postcard scenes of snowfall dusting the pines, and evenings can be spent by one of several fires. As the snow melts, the same open living spaces flow effortlessly to outdoor terraces—perfect for alfresco entertaining surrounded by panoramic alpine greenery. As spring becomes summer, Park City remakes itself again—bike tires crunch along hundreds of miles of wildflower-edged trails, paddleboarders hit the local lakes and reservoirs, and outdoor concerts bring neighbors together on warm evenings. Park City, Utah | Summit Sotheby’s International Realty Golf and horseback riding are among the activities on offer at the private mountain community of Promontory, where 7841 N West Hill Trail, designed by local architect Clive Bridgwater, showcases the surrounding Wasatch Mountains. Park City’s prime real estate comes with an enviable lifestyle and community, confirms Julie Snyder, global real estate advisor for Summit Sotheby’s International Realty. “Buyers have so many choices here, whether they want views, an amenity package or to be part of a new community,” she says, adding that the convenience of Salt Lake City’s international airport, a 45-minute drive away, enhances the appeal. Park City, Utah | Summit Sotheby’s International Realty Dream Catcher Lodge is a more traditional chalet-style home where winter afternoons can be spent carving fresh lines on the private ski runs of The Colony gated community, and expansive decks provide front-row seats to mountain sunsets on summer evenings. “Designing for the Park City lifestyle means blending luxe materials with relaxed living while embracing the area’s natural beauty,” says Stephanie Hunt, owner of local lifestyle and design firm The Flair Hunter, who has lived and worked in the city for 17 years. Luxury homeowners in the region embrace nature and comfort in tandem, she says. “My approach emphasizes softer furniture curves, deeper sofas for post-adventure relaxation, and finishes like burnished brass and rich wood grains that enhance the stunning views. Thoughtful details, like well-placed mudrooms, ski storage and windows that maximize light and vistas, ensure every home is both functional and personal.” Park City, Utah | Summit Sotheby’s International Realty Exposed beams and vaulted ceilings feature in the warming wooden interiors of 7933 Bald Eagle Drive, which enjoys direct ski access to the Roamer Trail, which in turn offers peaceful, meditative hikes in spring. When the Sundance red carpets are rolled away for another year in February, Park City will continue to embrace a lifestyle where every season delivers something to anticipate: the rush of downhill runs, the peace of sun-drenched trails and the pleasure of sharing a meal as dusk settles over Main Street once again. Read more about mountain modernism in our guide to contemporary ranch style

Contemporary artists love to collect sketches and studies by their predecessors and they aren’t alone, writes Katie Armstrong Jean-Antoine Watteau, “A Man Playing the Guitar,” which will be auctioned in “Master Drawings from the Collection of Diane A. Nixon,” Sotheby’s New York, February 4, 2026. Photograph: Sotheby’s Old Master drawings—the sketches, studies, even doodles of European artists from the 15th to the early 20th century—can be windows into some of the most celebrated figures in art history. At Sotheby’s, the category begins where medieval manuscripts end, taking in everything from ink sketches by the Flemish court painter Sir Anthony van Dyck to preparatory charcoal marks by Victorian masters and watercolors by J.M.W. Turner. “You’re looking over the artist’s shoulder while they’re thinking out what they’re going to do,” says Gregory Rubinstein, senior director and head of the Old Master drawings department worldwide at Sotheby’s, of the intimacy and immediacy of rare drawings. “You see them try a figure in one position, try a figure in another position,” he adds. “You see all the stages.” In 2012, Rubinstein was involved in what is still the world record for the category, overseeing the £29.7m (US$47.9m at the time) sale at Sotheby’s London of “Head of a Young Apostle,” a preparatory sketch by Italian artist Raphael created in the early 16th century for his last great masterpiece, “The Transfiguration” (1516-1520). Two upcoming sales at Sotheby’s New York are a fresh opportunity to explore the breadth of this collecting category and take inspiration from one of its most enthusiastic participants. Raffaello Sanzio, called Raphael, “Head of a Young Apostle,” which sold for US$47.9m at Sotheby’s London in December 2012. Photograph: Sotheby’s Diane A. Nixon, whose collection goes under the hammer on February 4, was one of the most esteemed Old Master drawings collectors of the last century, amassing more than 200 works from all schools and periods. A keen advocate for the medium, she bequeathed works to institutions and remained a devoted supporter of drawing departments across the globe. The most coveted drawings at auction are often studies for works eventually painted on canvas. But they are also complete works of art in themselves and subject to the same scrutiny as any other lot. “We have far more surviving drawings by some artists. It’s very likely that many artists produced lots of drawings which never survived, that got thrown out or binned,” explains Rubinstein. “The relative rarity of the drawing matters.” Historical and current practices are more intertwined than ever. “There’s a real trend now for contemporary artists, such as Glenn Brown, to look back at older and older art,” Rubinstein says. “Some are collectors of Old Master drawings, which was definitely not the case when I started 35 years ago.” But artists aren’t the only enthusiasts. Drawings are often offered at lower price points than other lots in the Old Masters group—a chance to own work by the greats, often for just a few thousand dollars. The “Master Works on Paper from Five Centuries” exhibition at Sotheby’s London, July 2025. Photograph: Sotheby’s Rubinstein recommends visiting drawing exhibitions, viewing auction lots and talking to those in the know to hone your tastes. “It’s a case of trying to understand what it is that you personally find exciting and interesting,” he encourages. “Develop your understanding and you will end up in a position where you can make an informed decision, based on a combination of what appeals and your budget.” A major highlight of the upcoming New York sales is a Rembrandt study, “Young Lion Resting” from the late 1630s or early 1640s, with an estimate of US$15-20M. One of only six known lion studies by the Dutch Old Master, with the other five spread across institutions including the British Museum, the Louvre and Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum, it’s one of the most important Rembrandt works to come to the market in decades. “It’s also just a fantastic image. The most wonderful, powerful, engaging and exciting drawing,” confirms Rubinstein. Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn, “Young Lion Resting,” which will be auctioned at “Master Works on Paper from Five Centuries,” Sotheby’s New York on February 4, 2026. Photograph: Sotheby’s Also available will be a study of a merchant vessel by the 18th-century Venetian master Canaletto, another of a man playing guitar by French painter Jean-Antoine Watteau, and a spectacular depiction of the Annunciation from Tiepolo created in the late 1730s. The latter has particularly outstanding provenance, having been part of the sought-after collection of Russian prince Aleksey Orlov, which was sold after his death in 1920. New collectors might be concerned with how to handle such delicate works. While paper and vellum aren’t known for being particularly robust, many drawings have survived for hundreds of years and will survive for many more, as long as they are not displayed in bright sunlight or extreme climates. “A lot of people have fun with drawings because you can plaster the walls with them, which is much easier and more satisfying to do than it is with paintings,” says Rubinstein. “They have real potential as a feature in a decorative scheme.” Fra Bartolomeo’s “A Fortified Hill Town,” which will be auctioned at “Master Drawings from the Collection of Diane A. Nixon,” Sotheby’s New York, February 4, 2026. Photograph: Sotheby’s Then there is the connection to an artist, sometimes across centuries. An extraordinarily rare sketch by Renaissance painter Fra Bartolomeo is coming to auction in February: “A Fortified Hill Town,” which is thought to be a view of Lucca, dates from a series he created between 1500 and 1505. “These are some of the earliest complete, pure landscape drawings known in the history of Western art,” says Rubinstein. “It’s just so natural, delicate, atmospheric. Imagine him sitting out there more than 500 years ago, making this little sketch.” ”Master Drawings from the Collection of Diane A. Nixon” and “Master Works on Paper from Five Centuries” are at Sotheby’s New York on February 4. Our Collecting Focus series features expert advice on jewelry, watches, wine, rare whisky, historic books, music memorabilia, fashion history, natural history and modern and contemporary prints

Amid the rolling open terrain northwest of historic downtown Santa Fe, a 25.3-acre equestrian sanctuary known as the Dusty Boot combines the spirit of the Old West, contemporary luxury, effortless comfort, and consummate Southwestern style. At the base of the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the small city of Santa Fe is known the world over for its natural beauty, relaxed lifestyle, easily accessible outdoor activities, thriving arts scene, and diverse cultural history that includes many of the legends of the American West. The striking open terrain northwest of the city affords a lifestyle that is both rural and sophisticated, often with panoramic views of multiple mountain ranges, badlands, and cinematic sunsets. Santa Fe, New Mexico| Ricky Allen – Tara Earley Group | Sotheby’s International Realty – Santa Fe – Main Downtown Brokerage Among the expansive properties in the peaceful, prestigious area known as La Tierra Nueva is a 25.3-acre estate known as the Dusty Boot, where the spirit of the Old West persists in stylish harmony with contemporary luxury. A virtual Southwestern sanctuary recalling a Spanish hacienda, the compound features a 5,186-square-foot residence, a guest casita, a superior equestrian facility, and a variety of outdoor living areas and amusements. Throughout, Southwestern style—rugged stacked stone, sturdy vigas, accent latillas, and earthy stone tile—coexists with contemporary comforts and conveniences. Designed by esteemed area architect Steven Samuelson and built in 2007, the impressive main residence exemplifies the area’s singular aesthetic and offers two restful bedrooms and three baths. The heart of the home is a handsome great room with soaring ceilings, a majestic fireplace clad in stone and copper, and an inviting cook’s kitchen with warm wood cabinetry and top-tier appliances. Doors open to a breathtaking “infinity” patio that conjures an ethereal sensation of hovering above the piñon- and juniper-strewn high desert landscape—a perfect perch for reveling in vast views of mountains, dramatic clouds, and impossibly blue sky. Nearby, an alfresco kitchen with a wood-fired pizza oven and a built-in grill. Long- and short-term visitors will appreciate the comfort and privacy of the freestanding guesthouse, which offers one welcoming bedroom, two baths, and numerous striking stylistic flourishes and features. Horses are welcome on much of Santa Fe’s rolling land, and equestrian pursuits are a favorite pastime. The facilities at the Dusty Boot—conceived by lifelong rancher, horseman, and self-proclaimed vaquero Pedro Marquez—are a paradigm of Southwestern riding culture and equine well-being. Highlights include four oversized heated stalls with turnouts, automatic waterers, a tack and laundry room, a washing area, an arena, a round pen, and a walker. The stable complex also includes versatile, light-filled, and climate-controlled spaces—accompanied by a butler’s pantry, abundant storage, and a full bath—that can easily serve a number of purposes: a contemplative office, an art or recording studio, a peaceful place for yoga or meditation, or a well-outfitted gym. At the center of it all is a lush emerald courtyard with a waterfall trough, a sitting area with a focal fire pit, and an easily accessible powder room. Carefully chosen landscaping—including aspens, roses, and Russian sage—add colorful natural accents, while further afield are fenced orchards, raised garden beds, water features, a chicken coop, and a picnicking pergola. Combining these desirable outdoor amenities and diversions with a wealth of debonair indoor spaces, the Dusty Boot is an inimitable property, designed for living the consummate Southwestern lifestyle amid Santa Fe’s delightful four-season climate and enviable 300 yearly days of sunshine. Discover luxury homes for sale and rent around the world on sothebysrealty.com