First-Time Homebuyers Approaching 40 Years of Age

First-Time Homebuyers Approaching 40 Years of Age

Achieving homeownership is a pivotal aspect of the American dream. However, for many aspiring buyers, this dream is being realized much later in life than they had originally anticipated. The journey to owning a home has evolved significantly, and the current landscape presents unique challenges that prospective homeowners must navigate.

Recent findings from the National Association of Realtors reveal that the median age of homebuyers has reached 56, marking a notable seven-year increase since 2023 and establishing a record high in the 43 years this data has been tracked. Moreover, repeat buyers now have a median age of 61, up from 58, while first-time buyers are also older, with a median age rising from 35 to 38 this past year. This trend indicates a substantial shift in the demographics of the housing market.

The increasing age of homebuyers aligns with the reality many have faced while searching for properties in recent years. Over the last two years, mortgage rates surged from approximately 3% to over 7%, presently stabilizing in the high 6% range. Although these rates are not the highest in history, they are significantly elevated compared to the record lows experienced in 2021. Concurrently, home prices have escalated and continue to rise across a myriad of cities nationwide, further complicating the purchasing process.

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These two factors—soaring mortgage rates and escalating home prices—have created a challenging environment where affordability has plummeted, particularly affecting younger and first-time homebuyers. Jessica Lautz, the deputy chief economist and vice president of research at NAR, highlighted in a recent news release that these hurdles have become significant barriers to entry for new buyers in the market.

“First-time buyers face high home prices, high mortgage interest rates, and limited inventory,” Lautz explained. In contrast, existing homeowners have a different experience, as they can leverage the equity accrued in their current homes. This equity enables them to make substantial down payments on more expensive properties or downsize to more affordable options and purchase outright with cash.

Understanding the Aging Trend of Homebuyers in America

The noticeable shift toward older homebuyers may appear to have emerged during the pandemic and its aftermath, yet it is actually part of a long-term trend that has been developing over several decades. Data from the NAR illustrates a consistent upward trajectory in the median age of homebuyers since 1981, punctuated by occasional dips. This trend reflects broader societal changes surrounding homeownership.

Not all increases in the age of homebuyers can be solely attributed to the current challenges of high home prices and mortgage rates. Will Begeny, vice president of marketing at Tomo Mortgage, argues that numerous socioeconomic factors contribute to this phenomenon, leading individuals to postpone homeownership until later in their lives.

“People are getting married later, pursuing education for longer periods, and starting their careers at a later stage,” Begeny noted. Over the past four decades, Americans have increasingly prioritized various personal and professional aspirations over the traditional goal of owning a home, impacting their readiness to enter the housing market.

While these long-term factors have influenced the rising age of homebuyers for generations, the escalating costs associated with today’s housing market are compelling many to delay their homeownership ambitions even further. Homes have become more expensive, and factors such as closing costs and lender fees have also risen significantly. The spike in mortgage rates has left many potential buyers feeling overwhelmed: according to the NAR, 2023 recorded the slowest home sales in nearly three decades, with 2024 mirroring this trend thus far.

The scarcity of entry-level starter homes—typically the most affordable options—exacerbates this issue, leading potential buyers to postpone their purchases. A recent survey conducted by Chase among adults aged 40 and younger revealed that 77% identified the limited inventory within their desired price range as a major obstacle to home buying.

A critical factor contributing to the low availability of homes is that existing homeowners are opting not to “trade up” as frequently as they did prior to the pandemic. Instead, many are choosing to remain in place and either expand or renovate their current residences. The combination of high interest rates and rising home prices renders moving financially unfeasible for many families, particularly those residing in the most expensive metropolitan areas.

Additionally, older Americans are not downsizing as much as they once did. Although smaller homes may seem more affordable in terms of purchase price, the reality is that these homeowners could face higher monthly payments due to today’s elevated interest rates. With Baby Boomers choosing to stay put, the availability of larger homes suitable for young families with children has diminished, inevitably driving up prices for the limited homes that do enter the market.

All these factors create significant hurdles for buyers who have not built up equity from previous home purchases, making it difficult to cover the costs associated with buying a home.

“It’s taking younger buyers longer to save up for the upfront costs of a home purchase,” explains Max Koziol, national purchasing director at Chase Home Lending. As a result, with many younger adults sidelined in the current market, the average age of homebuyers continues to rise.

Despite the numerous challenges facing potential homebuyers today, data from both Chase and Tomo consistently show that the desire to purchase homes remains strong among Americans. The systemic issues constraining younger buyers will require time to resolve, indicating that the trend of increasing homebuyer age is likely to persist in the foreseeable future.

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