Top 10 Real Estate Trends | Lifestyle Investments with Custom Homes and Second Homes in Resort Markets
With smart planning, high-quality craftsmanship, integrated amenities, and tech built in, developers are delivering both aspirational and attainable resort living and seeing strong market success.
At a time of anemic inventory for distinctive luxury homes that could compel an affluent buyer, the only way to get what one wants, for the price being set, in a desired location, and on the schedule that can be managed, is to build it. Myths and facts with custom homebuilding are perhaps the most polarizing of viewpoints within the residential real estate industry. As more people look to build their dream home, whether locally as a primary home, or elsewhere, within planned communities, the custom-home market continuously adapts to suit today’s buyers’ needs.
Smart money is in control of the process and the outcome, oftentimes building equity every step of the way. Wealthy families are increasingly buying second homes in resort markets to create what’s sometimes called the “grandchild trap.” The higher the budget, the more likely that an affluent consumer can afford to build versus compromise, albeit the instant gratification of a ready-made, move-in home can be a consideration. Yet, patience with the process will yield the best alignment.
Simplifying Custom Homebuilding
Myth: Custom homes are overly complicated, but the truth is:
Early client engagement with experienced teams makes the process manageable.
Teams guide transitions from design to construction, streamlining the process.
Collaborative planning and trusted subcontractors reduce friction.
Tech integration (e.g., smart lighting, automation) should begin early to avoid costly retrofits.
Competitive Bidding & Value
Myth: Competitive bidding ensures lower costs, but the truth is:
Quality and value come from working with trusted, experienced teams working for a fee and with transparency as an owner representative.
Early collaboration with architects and subcontractors leads to realistic, transparent budgets.
Trust and communication prevent costly surprises.
Rising Construction Costs
Myth: Waiting will lower building costs, but the truth is:
Costs are rising due to labor shortages, material inflation, and tougher regulations.
Skilled trades are in structural decline; retirements outpace new entries.
Non-documented workers are at risk with deportation trends and fear of ICE raids (some are not showing up to work).
Delaying construction is risky, and building now secures better value and long-term returns (mounting inflation and tariffs are further exacerbating rising costs).
Smart Home Tech: From Luxury to Standard
Myth: Smart homes are not just for high-end buyers. The truth is:
Tech features (e.g., automation, audio, lighting control) are now expected, not optional.
Builders who integrate tech early increase home value and appeal to trending buyers.
Modernized homes outperform their nostalgic peers in valuations and are more likely to meet the specifications and lifestyle requirements of the current consumer.
Homes with advanced features hold higher long-term value and enhance owner satisfaction.
Trends shaping homebuilding:
Increasing buyer expectations.
Regulatory and cost pressures.
Migration from high-demand markets (e.g., California).
Relative value versus resale (especially considering compromises with existing design and lack of warranties).
Top Markets that Matter via Affordability-Driven Demand and Proximity
Suncadia (Cle Elum/Skyline Ridge): Just 80 mi from Seattle, it’s booming with a 2025 $40M expansion (“Suncadia Social”) adding townhomes, single-family lots, and retail, targeting buyers priced out of Puget Sound.
This region is benefiting from the I-90 East Expansion Project, which is making the high-volume freeway system more reliable for freight but providing the unintended benefit of making this submarket more accessible for all seasons.
Crescent Ridge (Crescent Bar): ~2.5 hrs. from Seattle, offering custom river-view homes and luxury amenities—appealing to second-home buyers and remote workers seeking mountain-meets-river retreats.
Seabrook (Ocean Shores): Modeled on New Urbanism, its ~700-acre beach town—with 300+ homes, walkability, parks—has expanded by 1,300 units and generates strong demand through community design and resort feel.
Roche Harbor (San Juan Islands): With $1-1.7M median home prices and approvals for a master planned resort expansion, it reflects a strong appetite for elevated vacation-living among Seattleites.
Custom & Craftsmanship Focus
Suncadia, Skyline Ridge, Crescent Ridge & Roche Harbor all feature dedicated custom-home builders offering high-end finish options and personalized design (Suncadia even highlights Pacific Northwest craftspeople and boutique firms).
These resorts attract buyers seeking hands-on personalization in mountain, river, beachfront, or island environments.
Established Resort Amenities and Technology Integration
Amenities (golf, trails, spas, marina, bike trails, community clubs, etc.) are being expanded and modernized across each resort—enhancing live-work-play value.
Developers are including smart-home infrastructure (high-speed internet, security, automation) from day one, understanding that buyers treat these as baseline expectations, not luxuries.
Long-Term Growth Strategy & Phased Expansion
Major expansion waves now underway:
Suncadia has kicked off new villages and retail in 2025.
Seabrook received approval for a multi-phase building over three years.
Roche Harbor is revising its master plan to accommodate additional homesites.
Skyline Ridge has commenced on its Lodge amenities delivering a suite of amenities including a Pickleball court, resort pool, events center, and more.
Local desert towns in California/Arizona are pursuing similar phased strategies: expanding walkable communities, custom-home offerings, and modern amenities.
Outcomes & Success Factors
Demand Surge: High-priced custom homes and finishes are selling rapidly—e.g., Crescent Ridge homes range $2–3M; Seabrook homes average ~$1M and sell within ~50 days.
Value Creation: Buyers appreciate turnkey custom builds that integrate modern technology and resort-level lifestyle.
Sustainable Growth: Developers are leveraging smart phasing, placemaking, infrastructure investments, and community identity to maintain long-term market appeal.
The “Grandchild Trap”
It’s a term used to describe a deliberate investment by older generations—typically affluent grandparents—in a vacation or resort home designed to:
Entice their adult children and grandchildren to visit more often.
Create a central gathering place that anchors family traditions.
Keep family bonds strong across generations by offering a desirable destination.
Invests in a real estate heirloom to become a legacy family asset that is passed down for the generations but enjoyed in the sunset of life for senior members of the family.
How It Works in Practice
Location Appeal: Homes are purchased in scenic destinations (e.g., beach towns, mountain resorts, desert golf communities) that children and grandchildren naturally want to visit.
Luxury & Comfort: These properties are upgraded with high-end amenities—pools, bunk rooms, smart tech, and recreational access—to make extended stays attractive and convenient for the whole family.
Multigenerational Design: Many new custom homes are built with multi-suite layouts, entertainment zones, and separate guest areas to accommodate multiple generations at once.
Motivations Behind the Trend
Emotional Investment: The home becomes a tool for family cohesion, especially as adult children grow more independent and time together becomes more limited.
Legacy Building: It reflects a desire to pass on not just wealth, but shared memories and lifestyle values.
Control Through Convenience: Some call it a “trap” because it subtly steers family vacations toward the grandparents’ chosen place rather than independent travel.
Where It’s Happening
Pacific Northwest: Suncadia/Skyline Ridge, Crescent Bar, Roche Harbor, and Seabrook are common examples where Seattle/Bellevue-area families buy luxury second homes for seasonal use.
Nationally: Similar patterns are seen in Lake Tahoe, the Hamptons, Aspen, Palm Desert, and Scottsdale—popular among coastal and Sunbelt buyers.
Real Estate Implications
This emotionally motivated demand has helped sustain high values in certain second-home markets even during housing slowdowns.
Developers are capitalizing by marketing resort properties not just as escapes, but as legacy investments and family hubs.
The final take: Early planning, collaboration, and embracing innovation are critical to success in custom homebuilding today. Affluent consumers are specific about what they desire in terms of location, design, price tolerance, and schedule—typically one or more of these variables become a compromise with a resale transaction, and yet, all can be controlled with a new build. Proximate resort markets are riding the “custom + technology” wave by offering luxury, lifestyle-rich homes close enough to the Seattle/Bellevue metro area for weekend escape and remote work (and investment returns). With smart planning, high-quality craftsmanship, integrated amenities, and tech built in, they’re delivering both aspirational and attainable resort living—and seeing strong market success. Primary drivers are investment returns, but also lifestyle aspirations to attract and enjoy family and friends in a real estate proposition that is expanding wealth and experiences.
Information was obtained from sources deemed reliable but cannot be guaranteed. Readers are encouraged to perform independent due diligence prior to relying on information contained herein.
Sources include:
Key insight: Second home demand rising (>$1M homes): CRE Daily
Key insight: Under-40 affluent buyers drive trend: Luxury Portfolio International
Key insight: Fractional ownership (Pacaso): CRE Daily
Key insight: Generational wealth loss by second and third generation: Thrive Global
Key insight: Legacy preservation via active stewardship: R360
Key insight: Wellness focus in resort second-home market: Newsroom
Key insight: Baby Boomers using second homes for wealth transfer: Builder and Developer
Key insight: Luxury resort expansions and sold-out units: Business Insider
Key insight: Serviced luxury holiday homes growth: Financial Times