Approximately ** percent of Americans aged 26 to 34 who bought a home were first-home buyers, whereas ** percent of home buyers between 35 and 44 bought their first home in that year. Gen Z and Millennial first-time buyers It is no surprise that many Gen Z (18 to 24 years old) and Millennial (25 to 43 years old) home buyers are mostly first-time home buyers. These home buyers are in the early stages of their careers, or still studying in some cases, and often struggling to repay student debt, so they need to save for many years before they afford a down payment. When do they sell? These generations tend to stay in their first homes for several years, which means that the majority of home sellers are older than them. The share of income needed to afford a trade-up home is significantly lower than the money needed for a starter home. A trade-up home is a larger and more expensive home, which homeowners often buy after living in their starter home, or their first home, for several years. This progression generally happens when homeowners have climbed the career ladder and increased their incomes.

In 2024, the average age of recent first-time buyers in London was slightly higher than the England average. Across the UK, first-time buyers accounted for approximately ******* home sales. First-time buyer prices and mortgages In London, the average value of a mortgage for first-time buyers was far higher than all other regions in the UK. Apart from the initial cost of a down payment, those that can afford to, see monthly payment savings against those renting. In certain parts of the country, annual savings of buying against renting saw first time buyers amounted to over ************ British pounds. Help to buy To encourage first-time buyers, the UK government started the "Help to buy" scheme. The scheme sees people saving for a first-time home receive a ***********bonus to their savings when purchasing a house valued at ******* British pounds (******* British pounds in London). Between December 2015 and March 2018, the North West of England saw the highest number of Help to buy ISA bonuses paid.

The majority of home buyers in the United States in 2024 across all age groups purchased a home between 1,501 and 2,500 square feet in size. 32 percent of the young millennials (26 to 34 years old) and 38 percent of the silent generation (79 to 99 years old) purchased a home about the same feet in size.

The highest share of home buyers in the United States in 2024 across all age groups were married couples. Married couples made up at least 56 percent of home buyers in all age groups that year, except for homebuyers aged between 18 and 25 years old.

Graph and download economic data for Homeownership Rate in the United States (RHORUSQ156N) from Q1 1965 to Q1 2025 about homeownership, housing, rate, and USA.

In 2024, the median income range between of more than 200,000 U.S. dollars was the largest share of homebuyers in the United States that year. Among them, almost ** percent were between 26 and 59 years old. The income range between 100,000 and 124,999 U.S. dollars was the second one with the largest share of homebuyers in the United States that year. Among them, ** percent were between 18 and 34 years old.

Graph and download economic data for Housing Inventory: Median Days on Market in the United States (MEDDAYONMARUS) from Jul 2016 to May 2025 about median and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Average Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States (ASPUS) from Q1 1963 to Q1 2025 about sales, housing, and USA.

The homeownership rate was the highest among Americans in their early 70s and the lowest among people in their early 20s in 2023. In that year, approximately ** percent of individuals aged 70 to 75 resided in a residence they owned, compared to approximately **** percent among individuals under the age of 25. On average, **** percent of Americans lived in an owner-occupied home. The homeownership rate was the highest in 2004 but has since declined.

Existing Home Sales in the United States increased to 4030 Thousand in May from 4000 Thousand in April of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United States Existing Home Sales - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Among all home buyers in the United States in 2024, first time home buyers accounted for approximately 24 percent of the total. The share of first time home buyers among all home buyers in the United States has fluctuated significantly between 2003 and 2024 having had the highest share of first time home buyers of 50 percent in 2010.

The average sales price of new homes in the United States experienced a slight decrease in 2024, dropping to 512,2000 U.S. dollars from the peak of 521,500 U.S. dollars in 2022. This decline came after years of substantial price increases, with the average price surpassing 400,000 U.S. dollars for the first time in 2021. The recent cooling in the housing market reflects broader economic trends and changing consumer sentiment towards homeownership. Factors influencing home prices and affordability The rapid rise in home prices over the past few years has been driven by several factors, including historically low mortgage rates and increased demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the market has since slowed down, with the number of home sales declining by over two million between 2021 and 2023. This decline can be attributed to rising mortgage rates and decreased affordability. The Housing Affordability Index hit a record low of 98.1 in 2023, indicating that the median-income family could no longer afford a median-priced home. Future outlook for the housing market Despite the recent cooling, experts forecast a potential recovery in the coming years. The Freddie Mac House Price Index showed a growth of 6.5 percent in 2023, which is still above the long-term average of 4.4 percent since 1990. However, homebuyer sentiment remains low across all age groups, with people aged 45 to 64 expressing the most pessimistic outlook. The median sales price of existing homes is expected to increase slightly until 2025, suggesting that affordability challenges may persist in the near future.

According to a November 2024 survey, the high cost of living is the leading reason preventing U.S. homeowners from pursuing homeownership. Other factors standing in the way of becoming a homeowner included having sufficient savings for a down payment (** percent) and enough income (** percent). In 2024, the homeownership rate in the U.S. was nearly ** percent.

The homeownership rate in the United States declined slightly in 2023 and remained stable in 2024. The U.S. homeownership rate was the highest in 2004 before the 2007-2009 recession hit and decimated the housing market. In 2024, the proportion of households occupied by owners stood at **** percent in 2024, *** percentage points below 2004 levels. Homeownership since the recession The rate of homeownership in the U.S. fell in the lead up to the recession and continued to do so until 2016. Despite this trend, the share of Americans who perceived homeownership as part of their personal American dream remained relatively stable. This suggests that the financial hardship caused by the recession led to the fall in homeownership, rather than a change in opinion about the importance of homeownership itself. What the future holds for homeownership Homeownership trends vary from generation to generation. Homeownership among Americans over 65 years old is declining, whereas most Millennial renters plan to buy a home in the near future. This suggests that homeownership will remain important in the future, as Millennials are forecast to head most households over the next two decades.

The foreclosure rate in the United States has experienced significant fluctuations over the past two decades, reaching its peak in 2010 at 2.23 percent following the financial crisis. Since then, the rate has steadily declined, with a notable drop to 0.11 percent in 2021 due to government interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, the rate stood slightly higher at 0.23 percent but remained well below historical averages, indicating a relatively stable housing market. Impact of economic conditions on foreclosures The foreclosure rate is closely tied to broader economic trends and housing market conditions. During the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, the share of non-performing mortgage loans climbed significantly, with loans 90 to 180 days past due reaching 4.6 percent. Since then, the share of seriously delinquent loans has dropped notably, demonstrating a substantial improvement in mortgage performance. Among other things, the improved mortgage performance has to do with changes in the mortgage approval process. Homebuyers are subject to much stricter lending standards, such as higher credit score requirements. These changes ensure that borrowers can meet their payment obligations and are at a lower risk of defaulting and losing their home. Challenges for potential homebuyers Despite the low foreclosure rates, potential homebuyers face significant challenges in the current market. Homebuyer sentiment worsened substantially in 2021 and remained low across all age groups through 2024, with the 45 to 64 age group expressing the most negative outlook. Factors contributing to this sentiment include high housing costs and various financial obligations. For instance, in 2023, 52 percent of non-homeowners reported that student loan expenses hindered their ability to save for a down payment.

The primary reasons for purchasing a home in the United States in 2024 varied among home buyers. Approximately one in four homebuyers bought a home because they desired to have their own home. Having one's own home was mainly considered by millennial buyers during their home buying process.

The number of housing units in the United States has grown year-on-year and in 2024, there were approximately *** million homes. That was an increase of about one percent from the previous year. Homeownership in the U.S. Most of the housing stock in the U.S. is owner-occupied, meaning that the person who owns the home uses it as a primary residence. Homeownership is an integral part of the American Dream, with about *** in ***** Americans living in an owner-occupied home. For older generations, the homeownership rate is even higher, showing that buying a home is an important milestone in life. Housing transactions slowing down During the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. experienced a housing market boom and witnessed an increase in the number of homes sold. Since 2020, when the market peaked, new homes transactions have slowed down and so have the sales of existing homes. That has affected the development of home prices, with several states across the country experiencing a decline in house prices.

The homeowner vacancy rate in the United States reached its lowest value in 2022, followed by an uptick in 2023. The rate shows what share of owner-occupied housing units were vacant and for sale. That figure peaked in 2008, when nearly three percent of homes were vacant, and gradually fell below one percent after the 2020 housing boom. Homeownership is a form of living arrangement where the owner of the inhabited property, whether apartment, house, or type of real estate, lives on the premises. Due to usually high costs associated with owning a property and perceived advantages or disadvantages associated with such a long-term investment, homeownership rates differ greatly around the world, based on both cultural and economic factors. In Europe, Romania is the country with the highest rate of homeownership, while the lowest homeownership rate was observed in Switzerland. Homeownership attitude in the U.S. Individuals may have very different opportunities or inclination to become homeowners based on nationality, age, financial status, social status, occupation, marital status, education or even ethnicity and whether one is local-born or foreign-born. In 2023, the homeownership rate among older Americans was higher than for younger Americans. In the U.S., homeownership is generally believed to be a good investment, in terms of security (no risk of eviction) and financial aspect (owning a valuable real estate property). In 2023, there were approximately 86 million owner-occupied housing units, a stark increase compared to four decades prior. Why is homeownership sentiment low? The housing market has been suffering chronic undersupply, leading to a surge in prices and eroding affordability. In 2023, the housing affordability index plummeted, reflecting the growing challenge that homeowners face when looking for property. Insufficient income, savings, and high home prices are some of the major obstacles that come in the way of a property purchase. Though affordability varied widely across different metros, just about 15 percent of U.S. renters could afford to buy the median priced home in their area.

Zillow reigns supreme in the U.S. real estate website landscape, attracting a staggering ***** million monthly visits in 2024. This figure dwarfs its closest competitor, Realtor.com, which garnered less than half of Zillow's traffic. Online platforms are extremely popular, with the majority of homebuyers using a mobile device during the buying process. The rise of Zillow Founded in 2006, the Seattle-headquartered proptech Zillow has steadily grown over the years, establishing itself as the most popular U.S. real estate website. In 2023, the listing platform recorded about *** million unique monthly users across its mobile applications and website. Despite holding an undisputed position as a market leader, Zillow's revenue has decreased since 2021. A probable cause for the decline is the plummeting of housing transactions and the negative housing sentiment. Performance and trends in the proptech market The proptech market has shown remarkable performance, with companies like Opendoor and Redfin experiencing significant stock price increase in 2023. This growth is particularly notable in the residential brokerage segment. Meanwhile, major players in proptech fundraising, such as Fifth Wall and Hidden Hill Capital, have raised billions in direct investment, further fueling the sector's development. As technology continues to reshape the real estate industry, online platforms like Zillow are likely to play an increasingly crucial role in how people search for and purchase homes. (1477916, 1251604)

Portugal, Canada, and the United States were the countries with the highest house price to income ratio in 2024. In all three countries, the index exceeded 130 index points, while the average for all OECD countries stood at 116.2 index points. The index measures the development of housing affordability and is calculated by dividing nominal house price by nominal disposable income per head, with 2015 set as a base year when the index amounted to 100. An index value of 120, for example, would mean that house price growth has outpaced income growth by 20 percent since 2015. How have house prices worldwide changed since the COVID-19 pandemic? House prices started to rise gradually after the global financial crisis (2007–2008), but this trend accelerated with the pandemic. The countries with advanced economies, which usually have mature housing markets, experienced stronger growth than countries with emerging economies. Real house price growth (accounting for inflation) peaked in 2022 and has since lost some of the gain. Although, many countries experienced a decline in house prices, the global house price index shows that property prices in 2023 were still substantially higher than before COVID-19. Renting vs. buying In the past, house prices have grown faster than rents. However, the home affordability has been declining notably, with a direct impact on rental prices. As people struggle to buy a property of their own, they often turn to rental accommodation. This has resulted in a growing demand for rental apartments and soaring rental prices.