What does the brand new technology of homebuyers and sellers appear like? How outdated are they and the way are they doing enterprise? Yearly, the Nationwide Affiliation of REALTORS® (NAR) gathers new solutions with its annual Dwelling Patrons and Sellers Generational Tendencies Report.
Compiled from an in depth survey of hundreds current homebuyers who bought within the interval between July 2021 and June 2022, this yr’s report supplies a by-the-numbers take a look at these evolving demographics — and among the stats could shock you.
Who’s shopping for houses?

information through NAR
It was a giant yr for child boomers. For the primary time in eight years, millennials didn’t make up the best share of homebuyers, bumped by these aged 58 to 75 — in any other case often called boomers. The demographic accounted for 39% of residence purchases in the course of the interval of research.
“Child boomers have the higher hand within the homebuying market,” NAR Deputy Chief Economist Dr. Jessica Lautz stated in a press launch, commenting on the shifting tides. “The vast majority of them are repeat consumers who’ve housing fairness to propel them into their dream residence … They’re residing more healthy and longer and making housing trades later in life.”
In the meantime, the millennial share of homebuyers slipped a substantial 15% making up simply 28% of all consumers this yr. And in flip, there was a dip in first-time homebuyers. First-time consumers made up 26% of all homebuyers, a year-over-year lower of 8%. That’s the lowest quantity recorded by NAR for the reason that group started monitoring this information.
Of these first-time homebuyers, 70% have been youthful millennials and 46% have been older millennials. By NAR’s requirements, all customers aged 24 to 42 are thought of millennials with an extra breakdown of youthful millennials (24 to 32 yr olds) and older millennials (33 to 42 yr olds). A lot of these youthful millennials additionally relied on some type of down cost help from household and/or pals as affordability stays a problem for these new consumers.
Specifically, the report famous what number of consumers have been delayed by scholar mortgage debt. Millennials are essentially the most educated age group with 35% of youthful millennials reporting scholar mortgage debt with a median mortgage steadiness of $30,000. Thirty % of older millennials reported a median mortgage steadiness of $40,000.
Following millennials, Gen Xers — these aged 43 to 57 — made up the second-largest share of first-time homebuyers at 21%. Gen Xers additionally had the best family incomes of any technology at median of $114,300. (They have been adopted by older Millennials with a median revenue of $102,900.) Moreover, Gen Xers remained essentially the most racially numerous homebuyers this yr with 23% figuring out as non-white.
For the primary time, the teen Gen Z demographic made sharp homebuying progress. The demographic, which incorporates these aged 19 to 23, surged to 4%: a 100% enhance from final yr’s numbers. Gen Z is now equal with the Silent Era — homebuyers aged 77 to 97 — when it comes to their homebuying share.
“Because the youngest technology of residence consumers and sellers, it’s encouraging to see Gen Z coming into the market,” Lautz stated. “Their need for homeownership is robust, and plenty of are counting on household assist methods to assist make their first actual property buy.”
It’s additionally value noting that Gen Z contained highest share of single feminine consumers — 31% — throughout a yr when 61% of consumers have been married {couples}. Taking all age teams under consideration, simply 17% of consumers have been single females and 9% have been single males. The very best share of single {couples} occurred in youthful millennials at 20%.
Who’s promoting houses?

information through NAR
Along with main the way in which in homebuying, child boomers remained the biggest residence vendor technology, leaping from 42% to 52% up to now yr. Damaged down, youthful child boomers made up the best age share with 30%, reporting a median revenue of $89,500. They have been adopted by older child boomers (22%), Gen X (20%), older millennials (12%), the Silent Era (7%), youthful millennials (6%) and Gen Z (3%). 67% % of sellers have been married {couples}.
Sellers sometimes lived of their houses for 10 years earlier than promoting with youthful millennials staying of their residence for much less time — a median simply 4 years — in comparison with a median of 16 years for older child boomers.
Wanting to maneuver nearer to be with family and friends was, general, the most well-liked purpose to make the transfer though small residence dimension was a specific concern for millennial sellers.
All through the promoting course of, 20% of all sellers provided incentives to draw consumers 19% diminished the asking worth of their houses a minimum of as soon as. Extra Silent Era sellers diminished their worth than another age group (34%). In the long run, although, the reported ultimate gross sales worth for bought houses throughout all demographics was a median of 100% of the ultimate itemizing worth.
Seventy- two % of sellers reported being “very happy” with the promoting course of, up 2% from final yr.
What’s sizzling available on the market?
Given the vast spectrum of homebuyers, the core causes for buying property fluctuate — by quite a bit. For all homebuyers below age 58 years, the principle purpose for purchasing was the need to personal a house of 1’s personal. Nevertheless, these older than 58 prioritized being nearer to family and friends, adopted by the necessity for a smaller residence.
Fourteen % of homebuyers bought a multi-generational residence to accommodate for getting older mother and father or grown kids transferring residence. Older child boomers bought essentially the most multi-generational houses at 18%, adopted carefully by Gen Xers at 17%.
Naturally, all these causes have an effect on what sort of houses consumers gravitate towards. Most up-to-date consumers have been seeking to keep away from renovations and repairs though 31% have been prioritizing worth. In the long run, the most typical sort of residence buy continued to be the indifferent single-family residence. It made up 79% of all houses bought and was hottest amongst all generations.
The everyday residence had a median 1,800 sq. ft, with three bedrooms and two bogs and was inbuilt 1986. Gen X houses have been typically bigger (at median 1,970 sq. ft) older Child Boomers purchased latest (with a median construct yr of 1996).
In a dramatic shift from the 2022 report, NAR recorded a median of fifty miles between a purchaser’s outdated and new residence: a year-over-year enhance of 35 miles. The gap is even increased for older child boomers at 90 miles.
Seven % of consumers over the age of 60 opted for senior-related housing and, as per ordinary, the Silent Era selected flats/condos on the highest charges.
Total, consumers anticipate to reside of their new houses for a median of 15 years, up barely from 12 years final yr. In addition they report excessive satisfaction with the homebuying course of, throughout age teams.
Brokers within the combine
Most homebuyers labored with an actual property agent and their No. 1 objective, throughout age teams, was the identical: to assist them discover the appropriate residence to buy. That need was more and more robust amongst older consumers. All advised, 86% % of all consumers labored by an agent and that quantity was barely increased for youthful child boomers (90%) and Gen X (88%).
An agent’s buying expertise was additional helpful to consumers, too. 13 % reported wanting an agent to barter the phrases of sale and 11% needed an agent to barter the house worth. Millennials have been almost definitely to need an agent’s assist with paperwork.
Sixty-seven % of consumers stated they interviewed only one actual property agent throughout their residence search with referrals being the go-to supply. Seventy-six % of consumers additionally stated that they’d use their agent once more or suggest their agent to others — a quantity that was constant throughout generations.
In the meantime, 86% of homesellers labored with an agent to do their enterprise. Sixty-three % labored with a referral or the identical agent they’d labored with up to now. That quantity was 76% for older millennial sellers. Thirty-nine % of sellers used the identical agent to purchase and promote their houses.
When it got here to selecting that illustration, crucial issue for sellers as an agent’s status. As soon as they have been employed, although, sellers needed somebody who might worth the house competitively and assist promote it to potential consumers. The No. 1 itemizing supply was the A number of Itemizing Service (MLS), utilized by 86% of sellers, adopted by yard indicators.
Eighty-five % stated that they’d undoubtedly or most likely suggest their agent for future providers — and 64% say they have already got.
Amongst all generations, step one taken within the residence search course of was to look on-line for homes. Patrons sometimes looked for 10 weeks and noticed a median of 5 locations. Ninety-six % used the web to look, scheduling walk-throughs. Although the kind of web searches have been break up — 50% used a pc and 50% a cell system — 9 out 10 consumers agreed that photographs have been the important thing on-line characteristic.
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