People Who Buy Houses May 2026

A widening divide exists between those entering the market and those leveraging existing home equity. First-Time Buyers Repeat Buyers 21% (Historic Low) Median Age Median Down Payment Financing Type Mostly financed (90%+) ~30% All-Cash 3. Purchasing Behavior & Preferences

Baby Boomers (ages 60–78) remain the largest group, making up 42% of all buyers. people who buy houses

For younger buyers, debt remains a major hurdle; 39% of Younger Millennials report student loans with a median balance of $30,000 . A widening divide exists between those entering the

A record 26%–30% of buyers paid all cash, bypassing high mortgage rates and gaining a competitive edge. For younger buyers, debt remains a major hurdle;

Married couples account for 61% of buyers, followed by single females ( 21% ) and single males ( 9% ).

The median age for all buyers has reached 59 years . First-time buyers now have a median age of 40 , up from the late 20s in the 1980s.

Roughly 14%–17% of buyers are purchasing homes to accommodate multiple generations, often to care for aging parents or save on costs. 4. Financial Barriers & Advantages