The 2025 NAR Generational Trends Report from NAR just dropped, and it reads like a family portrait of America in transition. Baby Boomers are moving closer to grandkids, Gen Zers are scurrying to scrape together enough savings to buy their first place, Millennials still buy the most homes, and Boomers are the top home sellers.
Here are some things agents will want to know about to better understand the differences in the generations they serve:
Gen X makes the most and buys the most expensive homes
Buyers aged 49 to 58 now top the income charts, with a median household income of $126,900. That puts them ahead of every other generation, plus they’re using their financial advantage to purchase homes with a median price of $380,000, the highest among all age groups.
Millennials still buy the most homes
Younger Millennials (25–33) and older Millennials (34–43) together make up 38% of all homebuyers. They remain the largest generational group purchasing homes, continuing a trend that began in 2014.
Gen Z quietly enters the market
They may be just getting started, but the Gen Z buyers (18–24) market accounts for 3% of all homebuyers. This generation is mostly single and buying their first home. With a median age of 21 and a median income of $71,200, they’re also the most diverse generation of buyers.
Boomers dominate the seller side
Older Boomers (69–77) and younger Boomers (59–68) make up 45% of all sellers: 45 PERCENT! But that’s really not a surprise, as they have the longest tenure in homes at an average of 19 years before deciding to sell.
First-time buyers bounce back
First-time buyers held a meager 26% market share last year but that’s surged back to 32%. While it’s a positive trend, it still falls short of the 38% historical average.
Mom and dad help out
Nearly one in four first-time buyers received a gift or loan from family or friends for their down payment. That figure jumps to 32% for Gen Z buyers. Family help is a required bridge to homeownership.
Longer-distant moves are becoming the norm
Buyers are moving 20 miles from their previous home: double the distance reported in 2021. Gen Z is moving the farthest: a median of 35 miles.
Fewer children at home
Only 28% of buyers had children under 18 living at home, down from 58% in 1985. It’s a long-term trend that will impact demand for family-style homes and school-focused communities.
Most buyers still want help from a real estate pro
Despite the internet and now potentially AI real estate agents, about 9 in 10 buyers used a real estate agent or broker. And it’s not just Boomers: 88% of Millennials and 90% of Gen Z tap a pro to navigate the process.
Why this data is important to agents
This must-read annual report is a treasure chest to help agents create and refine their sales strategies and marketing plans. It tells us how the real estate market is evolving, why people move, and why they stay in the same place. Most importantly, it puts a spotlight on the different reasons for each generation.
Gen X may have the means. Millennials are still making the most moves. And Gen Z is finding a way in, even if it’s with a little help from family.
For agents, this report helps connect the dots between the market and the people. Take time to study these shifts and you’ll better understand not just the how, but the why behind the motivations of buyers and sellers.
