What Today’s Buyers Really Want in a Private Club Community

A quiet revolution is reshaping how high-net-worth individuals shop for real estate and private club memberships. No longer satisfied with square footage and scorecards, today’s buyers are guided by authentic lifestyle alignment, wellness, and community connection.

At ClubEstates.com, we engage daily with affluent families, wealth advisors, and private club partners across the U.S. What we’re seeing is clear: The home and the club are no longer separate decisions—they’re one, and they must serve the same purpose.

Below, we unpack the most powerful trends shaping club real estate decisions in 2025, supported by data from Private Club Marketing, PBMares, Sotheby’s International Realty, Christie’s, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.

“Today’s buyer isn’t just choosing a home—they’re choosing how they want to live, who they want to live among, and what kind of legacy they want to create. Real estate is now an invitation to belonging.”
— Zack Bates, CEO, Private Club Marketing

1. Buyers Are Choosing Lifestyle First—Then Location

According to Christie’s 2024 Luxury Forecast, 61% of luxury buyers are prioritizing access to curated experiences and community programming over square footage and finishes. This is especially true in golf, coastal, and resort club markets, where buyers want to know:

  • Does this club align with how we live now?
  • Is it family-forward, wellness-focused, or professionally networked?
  • Are values visible—not just amenities?

ClubEstates Insight: Listings that open with imagery of poolside wine tastings, outdoor yoga, or family socials receive 2.5× more engagement than those that lead with home architecture alone.

2. Golf Is Still Core—But It’s Just the Starting Point

Private Club Marketing reports that clubs offering both golf and wellness programming saw 27% higher membership conversion rates in 2023. The modern member wants variety: they’ll tee off in the morning, grab a smoothie after Pilates, and return for a mixology class or speaker event at sunset.

The Wall Street Journal notes that private clubs investing in “lifestyle diversification” are now commanding higher initiation fees and longer waitlists—with some elite clubs reporting multi-year lists and referral-only access.

ClubEstates Insight: Listings connected to clubs offering casual dining, wellness amenities, and junior programming consistently outperform listings tied to traditional, golf-only experiences.

3. Real Estate and Club Membership Decisions Are Merging

A 2024 Sotheby’s survey found that 72% of their luxury buyers factored club access into their real estate decisions—especially in destination markets like Palm Beach, Scottsdale, and Santa Barbara.

At ClubEstates, internal user data confirms this: more than 75% of buyer inquiries mention club access during the initial contact phase, and buyers increasingly ask about initiation fees, guest policies, and family access before scheduling a tour.

Actionable Tip: Combine club and property storytelling into one experience—buyers want to understand the full picture, not chase down answers in separate conversations.

4. Non-Resident and Seasonal Memberships Are Driving Flexibility

According to PBMares’ benchmarking data, non-resident and seasonal memberships now make up over 38% of new joins in many private clubs. With more buyers relocating temporarily or purchasing second homes, clubs with flexible tiers are capturing demand.

The New York Times highlighted this trend in its recent coverage of second-home destinations: “Today’s buyer doesn’t want to be locked into a zip code—he wants to belong from wherever he lands.”

ClubEstates Insight: Listings within 10 miles of a top-tier club that offers non-resident memberships see a 40% higher conversion rate when that membership option is clearly communicated.

5. Culture, Connection, and Social Alignment Are Non-Negotiable

Beyond amenities, members are looking for belonging. Shared values, casual community, philanthropic programs, and social energy are key differentiators in a luxury club market that often feels crowded.

Private Club Marketing’s data shows that clubs featuring “clubs within the club”—such as women’s golf collectives, business masterminds, or wine societies—retain new members at double the rate of clubs that do not.

ClubEstates Insight: When listings feature member quotes, event calendars, and visual storytelling that reflects the culture, not just the property, the average inquiry-to-contact rate improves by 3.2×.

Key Buyer Behavior Benchmarks

TrendSourceImplication
61% prioritize experience over sizeChristie’s Luxury ForecastLead with lifestyle content, not architectural specs
27% conversion boost with wellnessPrivate Club MarketingPromote lifestyle amenities equally with golf access
75% link club + home in decisionsClubEstates.com user analyticsMerge storytelling between listing and membership experience
38% of new joins are non-residentPBMares Club Benchmarking ReportClearly communicate off-site and flexible membership options
2× retention with sub-communitiesPrivate Club MarketingHighlight social programs and curated interest groups

Why ClubEstates.com Leads the Next Chapter of Luxury Real Estate

In 2025, club life isn’t just an amenity—it’s a core buying motivator. Whether in Santa Fe, Sea Island, or Scottsdale, today’s affluent buyers want homes that are aligned with their rhythm, values, and sense of place.

At ClubEstates.com, we deliver that alignment. Our listings aren’t just elegant—they’re immersive. They connect property to experience, real estate to club culture, and lifestyle to legacy. For sellers, agents, and club operators, we are the platform of choice when the story matters as much as the square footage.

Sources & References

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