Wellness real estate is redefining how we think about where we live. It’s no longer just about square footage or curb appeal—it’s about creating environments that actively promote health, sustainability, and well-being. From toxin-free building materials to thoughtfully designed spaces that enhance mental clarity and reduce stress, wellness real estate is a movement that puts people and the planet first. In this article, we’ll dive into what wellness real estate is, why it’s gaining momentum, and how it’s influencing homebuyers, developers, and communities worldwide.

What Defines Wellness Real Estate?

Wellness real estate prioritizes design and construction practices that support healthier lifestyles. Key features include:

• Sustainability: Homes built with eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems.
• Indoor Air Quality: Ventilation systems that reduce pollutants and allergens.
• Light and Space: Designs that maximize natural light and create a calming atmosphere.
• Community Focus: Walkable neighborhoods with green spaces and amenities that encourage social connections.

According to the Global Wellness Institute, the leading research organization for the wellness industry, the wellness real estate market has seen consistent growth, reaching $275 billion globally in 2022—and it’s expected to grow even more in the coming years.

Most recently, Wellness real estate market size is to grow by USD 575.9 billion from 2022 to 2027; increasing demand for regenerative living to be an emerging trend -Technavio

GWI defines wellness real estate as “homes that are proactively designed and built to support the holistic health of their residents. Wellness community is a group of people living in close proximity who share common goals, interests and experiences in proactively pursuing wellness across its many dimensions.”

As more and more people strive towards healthier lifestyles, the trend is to have a home that also supports well-being.

According to the Global Wellness Institute, “the way we have built homes in the last century is reinforcing lifestyles that are making us sick, stressed, alienated and unhappy.” With private backyards and attached garages, there is no need to walk outside of your home. 

But how does this type of living promote social interaction with neighbors or build a sense of community? When the built environment is designed for driving over biking, sitting over walking, and screen time over outdoor spaces, the result is that the home environment is promoting and reinforcing the very opposite of what is needed to live a healthier lifestyle.  

The Benefits of Wellness Real Estate for Homebuyers

For homeowners, investing in wellness real estate means:

• Improved Health: Better air and water quality, reduced exposure to toxins, and more opportunities for physical activity.
• Enhanced Resale Value: With increasing demand for wellness features, these homes often command higher resale prices.
• Peace of Mind: Living in a home designed for wellness can reduce stress and improve overall quality of life.

Why Wellness Real Estate is More Than a Trend

The growing interest in wellness real estate isn’t just a fad. It reflects a cultural shift toward prioritizing health in all aspects of life. The COVID-19 pandemic amplified our awareness of how much our environment impacts physical and mental well-being. Whether it’s a home office that reduces stress or a community that encourages an active lifestyle, wellness real estate is meeting the demand for healthier living options.

More and more forward-thinking developers have begun to design solutions to this growing problem, so as a result Wellness lifestyle communities are popping up all over the globe. Many of them are centered around an organic farm or have some sort of gardening or farming component. These neighborhoods have appropriately been given the name: AGRIHOOD.

I recently interviewed Brett Coleman on The WellLIFE podcast, because he and his family traveled over 7,000 miles in 11 months to see over 21 different agrihoods just before the pandemic hit. You can learn more about the communities he visited on his website. www.agrihoodliving.com    

Examples of Wellness Real Estate Communities

Wellness communities are popping up across the globe. Examples include:

• Serenbe in Atlanta, Georgia: One of the original agrihoods. A community focused on walkability, local food systems, and holistic living.
• Fox Point Farms in Encinitas, California: An agrihood community featuring a regenerative farm for farm-to-table living one mile from the beach.
• Olivette in Asheville, North Carolina: A riverside community and farm.

These communities aren’t just homes—they’re environments that foster healthier lifestyles.

Serenbe 

The very first agrihood is located just outside Atlanta, Georgia, called Serenbe. The founder, Steve Nygren, and his wife Marie bought a country home for their children to be able to run, play and connect with nature. These weekend trips transformed their family, and soon they moved there full time. After a few years of living there, they became aware of the urban sprawl threatening to take over their beloved rural land. In an effort to protect their land from being overdeveloped and turned into strip malls, the Nygren’s spearheaded a brand new kind of community, one where all residents thrive because their well-being was at the heart of the planning and design. 

“If you want to change the world, you should start in your own backyard.” — Serenbe founder, Steve Nygren  

I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing Garnie Nygren, the daughter Steve and Marie Nygren. She has told me that Serenbe has grown into a walkable mini-village where residents thrive because they love living there. It’s like going back in time to an idyllic community where all the neighbors are friends and kids play and use their imaginations outdoors. Many other forward-thinking developers have visited Serenbe and used it as a model to strive for.  Learn more about the 5 different types of wellness lifestyle communities HERE. 

“Serenbe is an award winning biophilic community that connects people to nature and each other. The first house at Serenbe was built in 2004 and today the community is home to over 650 residents. Serenbe has won numerous awards including the Urban Land Institute Inaugural Sainability Award, the Atlanta Regional Commission “Development of Excellence“ EarthCraft named Serenbe the “Development of the Year.” — Serenbe

Photo credit: Serenbe. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between wellness real estate and sustainable real estate?
Sustainable real estate focuses on reducing environmental impact, while wellness real estate emphasizes health and well-being for the occupants. However, the two often overlap, as sustainable practices contribute to wellness.

Is wellness real estate a good investment?
Yes! As consumer demand for health-conscious living grows, homes with wellness features are becoming more desirable, which can lead to higher resale value. 

Closing Thoughts

Wellness real estate is revolutionizing the way we live, offering homes and communities designed to improve physical health, mental clarity, and social connection. Whether you’re exploring the idea of buying a home, developing a project, or simply adding wellness-focused touches to your current space, this movement has something for everyone. As health and sustainability become central to our daily lives, it’s clear that wellness real estate isn’t just a trend—it’s the future.As I delved deeper into the concept of wellness real estate, one thought kept resonating with me: everyone deserves to live in a healthy home. Not just those who can afford to move into a wellness lifestyle community or are lucky enough to have one nearby.

What if these communities don’t exist in your area? What if moving isn’t in your budget? There has to be a way for everyone to create a healthier home environment, inspired by these new developments, to live more comfortably and joyfully right where they are.That’s exactly what led me to create Wellness Real Estate Magazine—the only publication dedicated to exploring the intersection of wellness and real estate while empowering readers to bring health and home together. Through the magazine, we provide actionable ideas and inspiration for transforming any home into a sanctuary for well-being.

If you’re a real estate professional, you can dive deeper into wellness real estate concepts in my latest book:  Wellness Real Estate | Modern Marketing for Real Estate Professionals or the Keeping it REAL podcast episode where I explain how you can leverage this trend to grow your business.To learn more about our custom-branded wellness lifestyle magazines, visit www.healthyhomemedia.com.