This document summarizes generational trends in home buying and selling among Gen Y, Gen X, younger boomers, older boomers, and the silent generation. Some key points include:
- Gen Y makes up the largest share of home buyers (31%) and smallest share of sellers (12%), primarily buying their first home. Many had difficulty saving for a down payment.
- Gen X has the highest incomes and largest share of married couples with children. They are the second largest group of buyers (30%) and largest group of sellers (29%).
- Younger boomers commonly purchase multi-generational homes for family. Older boomers often buy new homes to avoid renovations or buy for amenities, later
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Home buyer and seller generational trends report -highlights
1. Home Buyer and Seller
Generational Trends
National Association of
REALTORS速
2. Gen Y
Born 1980-1995
Ages 33 and younger
Largest share of home buyers at 31% and smallest share of home sellers at 12%
76% are first-time buyers
Buying primarily for desire to own a home
19% live in urban areaslargest share amongst the generations
Biggest neighborhood influencers: quality of neighborhood and convenience to job
Commuting costs are very important to 37% of Gen Y buyers
Plan to live in home 10 years
74% say biggest benefit from an agent is helping them understand the process
20% had a difficult time saving for a downpayment among them 56% said student
loan debt delayed saving
17% had to stall home sale because their home was worth less than their mortgage
Most likely to think their home is a good financial investment: 87%
3. Gen X
Born 1965-1979
Ages 34-48
Second largest share of home buyers at 30% and largest share of home sellers at 29%
Highest income earners at $98,200 and largest share of married couples at 72%; most
have children under 18 in the home at 67%
Buying for desire to own a home, larger home, and job-related relocation
Biggest neighborhood influencers: quality of neighborhood, convenience to job and
quality and convenience of school
Plan to live in home 15 years
15% had a difficult time saving for a downpayment among them 46% said credit
card debt and 35% said student loan debt delayed saving
19% had to stall home sale because their home was worth less than their mortgage
4. Younger Boomers
Born 1955-1964
Ages 49 to 58
16% of recent home buyers
33% of younger boomers are
single females or males
22% purchased a multi-
generational home. Most
common reasons: children
over 18 moving back into
home (38%), cost savings
(18%), and health/caretaking
of aging parents (15%)
26% own more than one
homeincluding investment
properties and vacation
homes
Plan to live in home 20 years
21% of recent home sellers
Most common reason to
sell home: job
relocation, home is too
large, and neighborhood
less desirable
10% had to stall home sale
because their home was
worth less than their
mortgage
Most likely than other
generations to bring up
agent commission rate or
fee for negotiation
5. Older Boomers
Born 1946-1954
Ages 59 to 67
14% of recent home buyers
21% purchase a new home to
avoid renovations or
problems with plumbing and
electricity and for amenities
of new construction
Biggest neighborhood
influencers: convenient to
friends and
family, affordability, conven
ient to shopping
27% own more than one
homeincluding investment
properties and vacation
homes
Plan to live in home 20 years
22% of recent home sellers
Most common reason to
sell home: want to move
closer to friends and
family, home is too
large, and retirement
Moving 36 miles from
previous home
Most likely to move to
another regionat 22%
Typically downsizing
square footage and price of
home
6. Silent Generation
Born 1925-1945
Ages 68 to 88
16% of recent home buyers and 16% of recent home sellers
Most likely to be repeat buyer98%
18% purchased a multi-generational home. Most common reasons:
health/caretaking of aging parents (27%), children over 18 moving back into home
(23%), and cost savings (21%)
Biggest neighborhood influencers: convenient to friends and family, convenient to
shopping, affordability, design of neighborhood, and convenient to health facilities
Smallest share who finance their home purchase55%
Moving 38 miles from previous home
Most common reason to sell home: want to move closer to friends and family, home
is too large, and retirement
Typically downsizing square footage and price of home