Professional Documents
Culture Documents
March 2015
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
Contents
Highlights ...................................................................................................................3
Characteristics of Home Buyers ........................................................................... 7
Characteristics of Homes Purchased ................................................................. 21
The Home Search Process .................................................................................. 38
Home Buying and Real Estate Professionals...................................................... 50
Financing the Home Purchase ........................................................................... 66
Home Sellers and Their Selling Experience ....................................................... 78
Home Selling and Real Estate Professionals .................................................... 102
Methodology ........................................................................................................110
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
Highlights
Characteristics of Home Buyers
Gen Y comprises the largest share of home buyers at 32 percent, which is larger than all Baby
Boomers combined. Younger Boomers comprise 16 percent and Older Boomers comprise 15
percent of recent home buyers. Generation X made up 27 percent of recent buyers and the
Silent Generation has the smallest share of home buyers at 10 percent.
While the demographics of recent buyers fall mostly in the expected range, income peaks for
ages 35 to 59, and the prevalence of children in the home peaks for buyers 35 to 49.
Gen Y has the largest share of first-time buyers at 68 percent. The share of first-time buyers
declines as age increases. Among the Silent Generation only three percent of buyers are firsttime buyers.
Thirteen percent of all buyers purchased a multi-generational home, one in which the home
consists of adult children over the age of 18, and/or grandparents residing in the home. This is
most prevalent among Younger Boomers aged 50 to 59, at 21 percent. The most common
reason for this living arrangement among Younger Boomers was children over 18 moving back
into the house (37 percent), followed by health/caretaking of aging parents (21 percent).
The prior living arrangement varies greatly for recent home buyers. Among those who are 33
and younger, 59 percent rented an apartment, while among those who are older than 50 years
of age and older more than half owned their previous residence.
Thirty-nine percent of Gen Y buyers primarily purchased a home just for the desire to own a
home of their own. Gen X placed a high importance on owning a home of their own, but many
needed to move for a change in a family situation or a job-related relocation. Older Boomers
are more likely to move for retirement, the desire to be closer to friends, family, and relatives,
and the desire for a smaller home, while Younger Boomers are likely to move for a job-related
relocation and to downsize.
As age increases among recent home buyers, the rate of owning more than one home also
increases.
Younger buyers placed a high importance on commuting costs, while older buyers placed
higher importance on landscaping for energy conservation and energy efficient lighting.
The older the home buyer, the fewer compromises the buyer tended to make with their home
purchase48 percent of the Silent Generation made no compromises on their home purchase.
Younger buyers tended to make sacrifices on the price of the home, size of the home, and
condition of the home purchased.
After finding the home they wanted, Gen Y and Gen X expect to live in their home for 10 years
before moving on. Younger Boomers and the Silent Generation expect to live in their home for
15 years and Older Boomers plan to live in their home for 20 years. It should be noted that
expected tenure is generally longer than actual tenure in home.
Among all generations of home buyers, the first step in the home buying process is looking online
for properties for sale. Gen Y is most likely among generations to also look online for information
about the home buying process, while the Silent Generation is most likely to contact a real
estate agent as a first step.
As age increases, the search time for a home decreases. Buyers under 50 tend to search for a
home for 11 weeks before finding a home. Buyers over the age of 49 tend to look for 8 weeks.
Younger generations of buyers typically find the home they purchase through the internet, while
older generations of buyers first found the home they purchased through their real estate agent.
As ages increases the home buyer is less likely to consider purchasing a home in foreclosure.
The frequency of internet use in the home search process was directly related to age. Younger
buyers are not only more likely to use the internet during their search, but they also use the
internet more frequently during their home search process. Older buyers are more likely than
younger buyers to be more occasional users during their home search.
More than half of Gen Y and Gen X buyers used a mobile device during their home search.
Among those who did, 31 percent of Gen Y and 26 percent of Gen X found the home they
ultimately purchased via a mobile device.
Home buyer satisfaction with the home buying process increases as age increases. This may be
due to not only tightened inventory in lower price brackets, but also realistic expectations of
older buyers who are often repeat buyers.
Buyers gain many benefits from working with a real estate agent. Among age groups, younger
buyers are more likely to want the agent to help them understand the process as they are more
likely to have never purchased a home before. Buyers all benefit from their agent pointing out
unnoticed features and faults in a property. All buyers most want their agent to help find the
right home to purchase.
Younger buyers were predominately referred to their agent through a friend, neighbor, or
relative, while older buyers were more likely to use an agent again that they previously used to
buy or sell a home.
When choosing an agent, younger buyers were more likely to place the agents honesty and
trustworthiness of more importance than older buyers, while older buyers rate the agents
reputation as a higher factor. Older Boomers who are often moving longer distances rate their
knowledge of the neighborhood as an important factor perhaps because Older Boomers tend
to move longer distances and may not necessarily know the neighborhood.
Younger buyers tend to place higher importance than older buyers on agents communication
via email and text messages, while older buyers place higher importance on personal calls.
Overall 88 percent of recent buyers financed their home purchase. Nearly all (97 percent) of
Gen Y buyers financed compared to just 61 percent of Silent Generation buyers.
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
When financing the home purchase, younger buyers also financed larger sharesthe typical
Gen Y downpayment is seven percent and Gen X is 10 percent compared to 22 percent among
the Silent Generation.
Buyers have a variety of sources for a downpayment on a home. The source is predominately
savings for younger buyers, while older buyers are more likely than younger buyers to use
proceeds from a sale of a primary residence. Younger buyers are also more likely to use a gift or
loan from a relative or friend.
Twelve percent of buyers overall cited saving for a downpayment was difficult. Among these
buyers, 50 percent reported credit card debt, 46 percent of buyers reported student loans, and
38 percent car loans was the debt that held them back from saving. This was most common
among Gen Y and Gen X buyers who are most likely to use savings as a downpayment source
22 percent of Gen Y and 15 percent of Gen X had a difficult time saving. Among this 22 percent
of Gen Y, 54 percent reported student loans held them back from saving. Among the 15 percent
of Gen X, 41 percent found credit card debt held them back from saving.
Despite record housing affordability, many buyers are still making financial sacrifices. About half
of Gen Y and Gen X buyers made sacrifices. Common sacrifices were cutting spending on luxury
or non-essential items, cutting spending on entertainment, or cutting spending on clothes.
Younger buyers were considerably more optimistic that their home purchase was a good
financial investment in comparison to older buyers. Eighty-four percent of buyers under 34
considered their purchase a good financial investment compared to 72 percent of buyers 69
years of age and older.
Among the generations, Gen X (27 percent) is the largest group who are recent home sellers
followed by both Older Boomers (23 percent) and Younger Boomers (20 percent).
Gen Y is the largest share of married couples among sellers. The Baby Boomers had the lowest
share of married couples among sellers. Older Boomers have the highest share of single female
sellers.
Seventy-five percent of Gen Y sellers are first-time sellers compared to just eight percent of sellers
in the Older Boomer segment and 11 percent of Silent Generation sellers.
Older buyers tend to move further distances, and are more likely than younger buyers to buy in
other regions and less likely than younger buyers to buy in the same state as the home sold.
There is a clear trend of moving to larger, higher priced homes for Gen Y and Gen X, moving into
a similar home for Younger Boomers, and downsizing in both square footage and price for Older
Boomers and the Silent Generation.
The reasons for selling a home vary, however, for younger buyers many want to upgrade to a
larger home or to accommodate job relocation. In comparison, for older buyers many want to
be closer to friends and family and buy a smaller home due to retirement.
Sixteen percent of sellers wanted to sell their home earlier than they were able to but waited or
stalled because their home was worth less than their mortgage. This is most common among
Gen X (23 percent) sellers. Among Gen Y and Younger Boomer sellers this occurred among 17
percent of sellers.
Typically, the older the home seller, the longer the tenure in their home has beenthis is a factor
in fewer sellers who had to stall the sale of their home. Gen Y typically owned their home for five
years while Older Boomers and the Silent Generation owned their homes for 13 years before
selling.
All age groups of sellers are most likely to find their selling agent by referral from a friend,
neighbor or relative or use an agent that they previously used to buy or sell a home.
Younger sellers are more likely to use the same real estate agent or broker for their home
purchase than older sellers, likely as they are typically moving closer to their previous residence.
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
Youngers sellers typically want their selling agent to price their home competitively and help sell
the home within a specific timeframe, while older sellers are more likely to want their selling
agent to help the seller market the home to potential buyers. This is likely due to the reasons
behind moving, as younger sellers are more likely to need to move for a larger home or for a job
relocationseemingly more time sensitive, while older sellers are more likely moving due to
retirement and to be closer to friends and family.
Middle-aged sellers are more likely to initiate discussions about compensation with their real
estate agent than both younger and older sellers.
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
Exhibit 1-1
Exhibit 1-2
Exhibit 1-3
Exhibit 1-4
Exhibit 1-5
Exhibit 1-6
Exhibit 1-7
Exhibit 1-8
Exhibit 1-9
Exhibit 1-10
Exhibit 1-11
Exhibit 1-12
Exhibit 1-13
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
Year Born:
1980-1995
1965-1979
1955-1964
1946-1954
1925-1945
Age in 2014:
34 and younger
35 to 49
50 to 59
60 to 68
69 to 89
Percent in
Category
32%
27
16
15
10
2014 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
Median Age
in Group
29
41
54
64
73
All Buyers
3%
6
7
8
9
8
8
10
14
9
5
3
9
$84,500
34 and younger
2%
8
9
9
10
10
10
11
13
8
4
3
3
$76,900
35 to 49
2%
3
5
6
7
8
7
10
17
13
6
4
14
$104,600
2014 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
50 to 59
5%
4
6
7
5
7
8
10
13
9
8
5
12
$96,600
60 to 68 69 to 89
4%
7%
7
14
8
10
10
10
12
11
9
9
9
8
10
10
12
9
7
5
3
2
2
1
9
5
$76,400 $63,600
70%
65%
Married couple
Single female
60%
Single male
Unmarried couple
50%
Other
35 to 49 65%50 to 59
68%
61%
14
23
9
10
8
4
2
2
60 to 68
65%
65%
21
9
3
2
69 to 89
65%
19
11
2
3
40%
30%
20%
10%
23
16
12
8
9 8
2
14
21
19
14
10
9 8
4 2
11
2 3
3 2
0%
All Buyers
34 and younger
Married couple
35 to 49
Single female
50 to 59
Single male
2014 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
60 to 68
Unmarried couple
69 to 89
Other
97%
94%
100%
90%
80%
None
One
65%
70%
Two
60%
Three
or more
35 to
49
79%
36%
22
29
13
50 to 59
79%
14
5
2
60 to 68
94%
3
2
1
50%
36%
40%
29
30%
20%
10%
19
15 14
7
22
16
13
8
14
5
3 2 1
1 1 1
0%
All Buyers
34 and younger
None
35 to 49
One
50 to 59
Two
Three or more
2014 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
60 to 68
69 to 89
69 to 89
97%
1
1
1
Multi-generational household
Reasons for purchase:
Cost Savings
Children over 18 moving back into
the house
Health/Caretaking of aging parents
To spend more time with aging
parents
Other
All Buyers
13%
34 and younger
7%
35 to 49
13%
50 to 59
21%
60 to 68
15%
69 to 89
19%
24%
32%
20%
18%
27%
30%
23
22
37
30
12
18
22
17
21
15
18
10
24
11
27
20
20
7
17
5
23
3
37
2014 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
All Buyers
85%
5
5
5
3
34 and younger
86%
6
4
6
2
35 to 49
76%
8
6
9
3
50 to 59 60 to 68
84%
91%
4
3
6
3
3
2
4
2
Note: Respondents were permitted to select as many races and ethnicities as they felt applicable.
The percentage distribution may therefore sum to more than 100 percent.
2014 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
69 to 89
94%
3
2
2
1
100%
English
90%
Other
96%
98%
60 to 68
97%
3
69 to 89
98%
2
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
50 to 59
60 to 68
69 to 89
0%
All Buyers
34 and younger
35 to 49
English
Other
2014 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
100%
89%
Born in U.S.
90%
Not born in U.S.
80%
34 and younger
92%
83%
8
35 to 49
91%
83%
17
5093%
to 59
91%
9
60 to 68
93%
93%
7
69 to 89
93%
7
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
17
11
50 to 59
60 to 68
69 to 89
10%
0%
All Buyers
34 and younger
35 to 49
Born in U.S.
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
68%
70%
All60%
Buyers
34 and younger
35 50%
to 49
50 to 59
60 40%
to 68
33%
69 to 89
33%
68%
29%
14%
7%
3%
29%
30%
20%
14%
7%
10%
3%
0%
All Buyers
34 and
younger
35 to 49
50 to 59
60 to 68
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
69 to 89
All Buyers
Owned previous residence
Rented an apartment or house
Lived with parents, relatives or friends
Rented the home buyer ultimately
purchased
46%
42
10
18
Note: After selling their previous home, buyers may have rented a home or apartment before
purchasing their next home. A first-time buyer could have acquired ownership of their previous home
(as an inheritance or gift, for example) without having been the buyer of the home. Thus, a
first-time buyer could have owned a home prior to their first home purchase.
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
35 to 49
23%
12
13
12
10
5
50 to 59
7%
16
4
3
2
6
60 to 68 69 to 89
3%
8%
1
*
1
2
4
2
2
2
1
*
3
3
3
3
3
2
1
*
5
5
3
1
*
4
2
3
13
7
*
1
9
2
15
*
*
3
2
5
*
*
2
2
1
3
2
2
4
3
6
1
*
*
*
19
1
11
*
11
*
29
*
54
*
77
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
34 and younger 35 to 49 50 to 59 60 to 68 69 to 89
48%
52%
44%
44%
48%
42%
19
14
21
23
16
21
11
11
10
11
11
10
11
11
11
11
12
3
1
3
1
4
2
3
2
7
2
6
1
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
All Buyers
Recently purchased home only
One or more investment properties
Previous homes that buyer is trying to sell
One or more vacation homes
Primary residence
Other
79%
10
5
4
3
2
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
87
84
90%
80%
New
Previously
Owned
70%
All Buyers
16%
84
83 BUYER
83 AGE OF HOME
82
82
34 and younger 35 to 49
50 to 59
60 69
to to
68 89
13%
17%
17%
18% #
87
83
83
82 #
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
16%
13%
17%
17%
18%
18%
10%
0%
All Buyers
34 and younger
35 to 49
New
50 to 59
Previously Owned
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
60 to 68
69 to 89
All Buyers
New Home:
Avoid renovations or problems with
plumbing or electricity
Ability to choose and customize design
features
Amenities of new home construction
communities
Lack of inventory of previously owned
home
Green/energy efficiency
Other
Previously Owned Home:
Better price
Better overall value
More charm and character
Lack of inventory of new homes
Other
40%
52%
41%
39%
28%
35%
24
24
29
22
25
18
17
12
13
11
29
24
10
9
15
14
10
16
13
9
14
10
7
17
4
9
11
1
6
20
32%
32
19
9
14
39%
31
19
11
10
28%
31
19
13
15
27%
30
22
7
17
27%
33
20
6
16
28%
39
12
5
17
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
All85%
Buyers
79%
8
6
90%
80%
Detached
single-family home
79%
80%
Townhouse/row
house
Apartment/condo in building
70%5 or more units
with
Duplex/apartment/condo in 2 to
4 60%
unit building
Other
50%
2
6
6 #
40%
30%
20%
10%
86
6 5
10
8 7
50 to 59
60 to 68
10 11 11
5
0%
All Buyers
34 and younger
35 to 49
69 to 89
Townhouse/row house
Duplex/apartment/condo in 2 to 4 unit building
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
60%
56%
60%
All Buyers
50%
20
16
11
3
50%
49%
Suburb/Subdivision
50%
Small town
Urban area/Central city
40%
Rural area
Resort/Recreation area
30%
* Less than 1 percent
20%
34 and younger
49%
17
21
13
1
17
11
10%
3
50 to 59 60 to 68 69 to 89
56%
48%
41%
18
19
23
41%
11
12
13
14
18
18
1
4
6
19
18
16 15
13
11
35 to 49
48%
60%
16
15
9
1
23
21
20
16
14
18
18
13
12
0%
All Buyers
34 and
younger
Suburb/Subdivision
Small town
35 to 49
50 to 59
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
60 to 68
Rural area
69 to 89
Resort/Recreation area
50 to 59
60 to 68
69 to 89
13%
5%
17%
23%
59%
8
12
9
13
71%
8
6
6
8
64%
7
10
9
11
47%
8
16
11
17
48%
20
12
6
14
47%
15
13
15
11
48%
19
8
6
19
48%
23
17
5
8
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
30
Miles
30
All Buyers
34 and younger
35 to
2549
50 to 59
60 to
2068
69 to 89
15
12
10
10
14
30
20
20
14
12
10
10
10
5
0
All Buyers
34 and
younger
35 to 49
50 to 59
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
60 to 68
69 to 89
All Buyers
69%
52
47
43
31
30
28
25
34 and
younger
75%
74
58
49
25
44
26
34
35 to 49
69%
62
44
35
29
43
24
41
25
29
24
21
27
21
23
19
15
10
8
7
6
28
23
7
6
9
4
4
24
21
9
9
8
7
6
18
19
14
10
6
10
11
21
16
28
17
8
10
9
17
10
37
18
6
8
6
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
50 to 59 60 to 68 69 to 89
65%
65%
64%
53
20
8
43
42
39
36
47
52
34
39
42
16
7
6
29
34
30
12
4
3
All Buyers
6%
6
7
10
9
8
14
10
8
6
8
9
$216,000
34 and younger
6%
8
8
13
11
8
15
9
7
5
7
5
$189,900
35 to 49
4%
4
6
7
7
8
14
10
9
8
9
14
$250,000
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
50 to 59 60 to 68 69 to 89
8%
6%
7%
6
7
5
6
7
7
7
10
9
9
8
11
9
7
12
14
14
12
13
11
12
5
9
8
5
6
4
7
5
9
10
10
5
$216,000 $215,000 $190,100
All Buyers
10%
16
36
25
11
2
34 and younger
8%
15
34
27
14
2
35 to 49
10%
16
36
24
12
4
50 to 59
12%
16
38
25
8
2
60 to 68
12%
16
38
25
7
2
69 to 89
14%
20
34
24
6
2
98%
98%
98%
98%
97%
97%
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
1%
15
28
24
14
9
8
1,870
34 and younger
1%
19
31
24
12
7
6
1,720
35 to 49
1%
11
22
24
18
12
14
2,100
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
50 to 59
1%
14
30
23
14
10
8
1,890
60 to 68
1%
16
30
25
13
9
7
1,800
69 to 89
*
18
28
28
13
8
5
1,800
One bedroom
Two bedrooms
Three bedrooms or more
Median number of bedrooms
One full bathroom
Two full bathrooms
Three full bathrooms or more
Median number of full bathrooms
All Buyers
34 and
younger
2%
16
82
3
16
62
22
2
2%
15
84
3
24
60
16
2
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
50 to 59
1%
15
84
3
15
63
22
2
60 to 68
3%
24
73
3
13
64
23
2
69 to 89
1%
29
70
3
10
72
18
2
2013
2010 through 2012
2007 through 2009
2002 through 2006
1987 through 2001
1960 through 1986
1913 through 1961
1750 through 1912
Median
All Buyers
16%
3
7
12
21
22
17
3
1993
34 and younger
14%
3
6
9
18
24
23
4
1985
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
69 to 89
17%
1
8
14
26
24
8
1
1997
39
All Buyers
40%
36% cooling costs
Heating and
34%
Commuting
costs
35%
32
Energy efficient appliances
Energy
30% efficient lighting
Environmentally friendly community
features
23
25%
22
Landscaping for energy
conservation
20%panels installed on home
Solar
15%
22
14
10
18 19
22
26 11
25
25
27
11
25
13
19
2
14
9
7 7
2
12
11
10
10%
5%
24
22
19
7
10
11
0%
All Buyers
34 and younger
Heating and cooling costs
Energy efficient appliances
Environmentally friendly community features
Solar panels installed on home
35 to 49
50 to 59
60 to 68
Commuting costs
Energy efficient lighting
Landscaping for energy conservation
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
13
Price of home
Size of home
Condition of home
Distance from job
Lot size
Style of home
Distance from friends or family
Quality of the neighborhood
Quality of the schools
Distance from school
None - Made no compromises
Other compromises not listed
All Buyers
34 and
younger
23%
20
18
16
16
14
7
5
4
2
33
8
24%
24
19
19
22
18
9
6
7
2
23
7
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
50 to 59
21%
19
17
12
13
15
7
4
1
1
37
9
60 to 68
18%
17
16
4
11
14
6
4
*
*
45
7
69 to 89
22%
15
15
1
11
10
7
6
*
*
48
8
All Buyers
1 year or less
2 to 3 years
4 to 5 years
6 to 7 years
8 to 10 years
11 to 15 years
16 or more years
Don't Know
Median
2%
3
9
3
14
5
25
39
12
34 and younger
1%
3
14
5
18
5
22
32
10
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
60 to 68
3%
1
4
1
10
5
29
47
20
69 to 89
3%
1
3
1
10
8
18
58
15
50%
All
Buyers
46%
44%
23
18
45%
44%
Move
45% with life changes*
Never moving-forever home
Move
40% with job or career change
May desire better
area/neighborhood
35%
May outgrow home
Will flip home
30%
Other
26
25%
20%
9
7
2
6
24
23
18
10%
5%
7
1
1
11
8
6
13
11
10
36%
15
11 12
7
6069toto6889
44
36%
40
2
17
15
15%
5
2
11
0%
All Buyers
34 and younger
35 to 49
50 to 59
60 to 68
69 to 89
*Life changes: addition to family, marriage, children move out, retirement, etc.
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
All
Buyers
Looked online for properties for sale
Contacted a real estate agent
Looked online for information about the home
buying process
Talked with a friend or relative about home buying
process
Contacted a bank or mortgage lender
Drove-by homes/neighborhoods
Visited open houses
Looked up information about different
neightborhoods or areas (schools, local
lifestyle/nightlife, parks, public transpo
Contacted builder/visited builder models
Contacted a home seller directly
Looked in newspapers, magazines, or home buying
guides
Attended a home buying seminar
Read books or guides about the home buying
process
Other
43%
15
12
44%
10
17
46%
12
13
43%
19
8
41%
21
7
32%
28
6
10
6
6
3
3
8
3
2
2
7
6
3
4
6
8
3
3
3
10
4
3
4
10
4
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
*
2
2
1
4
1
1
3
1
3
1
*
1
*
1
1
*
*
*
*
*
*
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
Online website
Real estate agent
Mobile or tablet website or application
Mobile or tablet search engine
Yard sign
Open house
Online video site
Home builder
Print newspaper advertisement
Home book or magazine
Billboard
Television
Relocation company
All Buyers
34 and
younger
88%
87
50
48
94%
89
66
62
35 to 49
92%
87
59
57
50 to 59
88%
87
41
37
60 to 68
84%
87
30
28
69 to 89
65%
86
17
20
48
44
52
52
44
50
44
26
18
21
14
4
4
3
41
22
14
16
11
4
3
3
50
25
21
20
15
5
4
5
45
28
19
24
15
5
4
5
41
30
19
25
17
4
2
1
44
31
20
30
16
5
5
2
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
All Buyers
10
2
10
34 and younger 35 to 49 50 to 59 60 to 68
11
11
8
8
3
10
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
3
10
2
10
2
10
69 to 89
8
2
8
All Buyers
Internet
43%
Real estate agent
33
Yard sign/open house sign
9
Friend, relative or neighbor
6
Home builder or their agent
5
Directly from sellers/Knew the sellers
3
Print newspaper advertisement
1
Home book or magazine
*
Other
1
34 and younger
51%
31
7
5
4
2
*
*
1
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
34 and
younger 35 to 49 50 to 59 60 to 68 69 to 89
41%
50%
54%
68%
79%
35
15
17
5
5
5
29
15
10
5
3
4
24
15
11
4
5
2
19
8
7
3
3
2
14
5
7
1
2
2
All Buyers
Finding the right property
Paperwork
Understanding the process and steps
Getting a mortgage
Saving for the down payment
Appraisal of the property
No difficult steps
Other
69 to 89
53%
24
58%
27
54%
25
48%
23
49%
21
48%
18
16
14
12
5
16
6
27
16
22
6
9
5
15
14
15
6
12
5
8
14
5
5
20
7
7
12
3
3
24
6
7
9
1
4
30
5
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
100%
All Buyers
34 and
younger 12%
90%
35 to 49
80%
50 to 59
60 to 70%
68
69 to 60%
89
50%
40%
80%
11%
84%
12%
79%
15%
FrequentlyOccasionally
80%
12%
84%
11%
79%
12%
15%
22%73%
62%
22%
46%
18%
18%
73%
62%
30%
46%
20%
10%
0%
All Buyers
34 and
younger
35 to 49
50 to 59
Frequently
Occasionally
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
60 to 68
69 to 89
All
34 and
Buyers younger
76%
80%
64
66
26
25
22
28
13
13
8
8
7
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
21
13
7
9
9
50 to 59 60 to 68 69 to 89
79%
68%
67%
68
63
59
21
30
36
20
19
21
7
13
9
10
7
7
14
12
9
6
4
11
9
5
5
Photos
Detailed information about properties for
sale
Interactive maps
Virtual tours
Neighborhood information
Pending sales/contract status
Real estate agent contact information
Detailed information about recently sold
properties
Information about upcoming open houses
Videos
Real estate news or articles
All
Buyers
83%
34 and
younger
88%
35 to 49
86%
50 to 59
86%
60 to 68
81%
69 to 89
74%
79
41
40
37
34
33
83
46
36
40
40
29
80
46
41
38
36
30
83
42
42
32
33
34
76
33
45
33
25
39
70
23
45
32
24
46
33
33
38
34
29
23
21
19
6
23
18
6
24
20
6
19
19
7
16
19
5
11
22
4
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
All
34 and
Buyers younger
Searched with an iPhone
Search with an iPad
Searched with an Android
Found my home with a mobile application
Search with a different tablet
Searched with a Windows based mobile device
FoundQR
myCode
agent
with
a mobile
Used
that
lead
me to application
more information
on the property
50 to 59 60 to 68 69 to 89
52%
46
27
27
10
58%
45
32
31
10
52%
46
28
26
10
49%
51
19
20
9
35%
49
14
19
7
18%
36
9
14
9
6
4
3
5
4
3
7
5
2
6
3
6
7
2
6
15
5
5
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
70%
Very Satisfied
56%
60%
Somewhat Satisfied
Somewhat Dissatisfied
50%
Very
Dissatisfied
40%
68%
AGE OF HOME BUYER
34 and younger 35 to 49 50 to 59 60 to 69
68 to 89
59%53%
59%
52%
59%
59% 68%
37
35
28
30 24
53%
8
8
9
7
5
3
4
4
4
3
All Buyers
56%
52% 33
8
4
37
35
33
30
28
30%
24
20%
10%
8
4
8
4
7
4
0%
All Buyers
34 and younger
Very Satisfied
35 to 49
Somewhat Satisfied
50 to 59
60 to 68
Somewhat Dissatisfied
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
69 to 89
Very Dissatisfied
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
All Buyers
27%
20
12
24
17
34 and younger
22%
19
14
26
19
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
69 to 89
34%
20
5
26
16
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
60 to 68
40%
17
31
11
69 to 89
32%
23
37
8
All Buyers
Help find the right home to purchase
Help buyer negotiate the terms of sale
Help with the price negotiations
Determine what comparable homes were selling
for
Help with paperwork
Help determining how much home buyer can
afford
Help find and arrange financing
Help teach buyer more about neighborhood or
area (restaurants, parks, public transportation)
Other
53%
12
11
8
6
4
3
2
1
69 to 89
59%
9
9
7
8
9
6
9
6
8
4
12
4
5
2
5
3
4
3
2
4
1
3
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
1
1
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
All
Buyers
34 and
younger
63%
59
48
48
41
39
32
22
22
16
1
1
75%
64
46
51
42
36
31
23
26
15
1
1
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
35 to 49
62%
57
47
49
37
39
27
23
23
16
1
2
50 to 59 60 to 68 69 to 89
55%
56%
51%
58
55
53
49
52
45
44
48
42
45
48
38
39
41
42
37
33
36
22
24
19
21
20
15
17
17
19
*
*
*
1
2
2
All Buyers
Referred by (or is) a friend, neighbor or relative
Used agent previously to buy or sell a home
Internet Web site (without a specific reference)
Visited an open house and met agent
Saw contact information on For Sale/Open House
sign
Referred by another real estate agent/broker
Personal contact by agent (telephone, e-mail,
etc.)
Referred through employer or relocation company
Walked into or called office and agent was on
duty
Search engine
Newspaper, Yellow Pages or home book ad
Advertising specialty (calendar, magnet, etc.)
Crowdsourcing through social media/knew the
person through social media
Direct mail (newsletter, flyer, postcard, etc.)
Mobile or tablet application
Saw the agent's social media page without a
connection
Other
40%
12
10
5
50%
7
11
5
39%
14
10
5
33%
15
8
5
31%
15
11
7
31%
14
9
5
5
5
3
5
5
4
6
5
6
5
9
7
2
1
1
*
1
1
*
*
2
1
*
*
3
1
1
*
4
2
1
*
3
1
2
*
*
*
*
*
*
1
*
*
*
*
1
*
*
*
*
*
1
1
*
11
*
10
*
11
*
12
*
12
1
11
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
Phone call
E-mail
Contacted friend/family
Web form on home listing website
Text message
Through agent's website
Social Media (FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.)
Other
Number of Times Contacted (median)
All Buyers
56%
21
7
5
3
3
2
4
1
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
All Buyers
34 and younger
67%
68%
68%
20
65%21
8
8
4
3
80%
One
67%
Two70%
Three
Four
or more
60%
69 to 89
72%
72%
18
8
2
50%
40%
30%
21
20
21
20
20
18
20%
10%
8
4
8
2
0%
All Buyers
34 and younger
35 to 49
One
Two
50 to 59
Three
Four or more
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
60 to 68
69 to 89
All
Buyers
34 and
younger
35 to 49
50 to 59
60 to 68
69 to 89
10%
10%
12%
10%
9%
9%
11
12
12
38
49
41
34
27
21
43
36
38
49
51
58
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
All
Buyers
23%
23
15
13
8
7
69 to 89
17%
25
17
14
7
8
4
1
1
3
1
1
3
2
1
6
1
*
4
2
*
8
1
*
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
69 to 89
95%
89
89
91
79
76
79
83
48
All Buyers
Calls personally to inform of activities
Sends postings as soon as a property is
listed/the price changes/under contract
Sends emails about specific needs
Can send market reports on recent listings
and sales
Sends property info and communicates via
text message
Has a web page
Has a mobile site to show properties
Sends an email newsletter
Advertises in newspapers
Is active on Facebook
Has a blog
79%
69 to 89
82%
69
59
71
60
71
62
72
62
64
54
60
49
51
51
54
55
46
47
45
29
25
10
6
6
1
51
29
26
9
3
7
1
46
32
27
8
5
7
2
47
31
26
10
8
5
1
39
27
21
11
9
3
*
30
27
22
15
14
3
2
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
All Buyers
87%
87
85
85
84
82
82
78
73
34 and
younger
86%
86
83
84
81
81
79
76
70
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
50 to 59
89%
86
87
86
86
83
83
77
74
60 to 68
89%
90
88
87
87
86
88
80
77
69 to 89
93%
92
89
90
91
89
87
81
84
80%
73%
Definitely
70%
Probably
Probably Not
60%
Definitely Not
Don't Know
80%
80%
AGE OF HOME BUYER
74%
35 to 49 50 to 59 60 to 68
71%
74%
80%
15
15
12
6
5
4
5
5
4
2
1
1
69 to 89
80%
12
4
3
1
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
18
15
15
6 5
6 5
5 5
15
12
5 5
1
12
4 4
4 3
0%
All Buyers
34 and younger
Definitely
Probably
35 to 49
Probably Not
50 to 59
Definitely Not
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
60 to 68
Don't Know
69 to 89
All Buyers
None
One time
Two times
Three times
Four or more times
Times recommended
since buying (median)
37%
17
18
11
17
34 and younger
36%
19
18
11
17
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
60 to 68
41%
20
19
8
13
69 to 89
44%
14
16
11
17
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
100%
88%
All Buyers
90%
34 and younger
35 to80%
49
50 to 59
60 to70%
68
69 to 89
60%
97%
96%
88%
97%
96%
85%
72%
61%
85%
72%
61%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
All Buyers
34 and younger
35 to 49
50 to 59
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
60 to 68
69 to 89
All Buyers
Less than 50%
50% to 59%
60% to 69%
70% to 79%
80% to 89%
90% to 94%
95% to 99%
100% Financed the entire
purchase price with a mortgage
Median percent financed
9%
3
5
12
23
15
21
14
34 and younger
4%
1
2
8
22
18
30
15
90%
93%
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
86%
80%
69 to 89
20%
10
11
12
18
7
7
16
78%
Savings
Proceeds from sale of primary residence
Gift from relative or friend
Sale of stocks or bonds
401k/pension fund including a loan
Inheritance
Loan from relative or friend
Individual Retirement Account (IRA)
Equity from primary residence buyer continue to
own
Proceeds from sale of real estate other than
primary residence
Loan or financial assistance from source other
than employer
Loan from financial institution other than a
mortgage
Loan or financial assistance through employer
Other
All
Buyers
34 and
younger
65%
33
14
9
9
4
4
3
83%
14
25
11
7
4
6
2
35 to 49
72%
30
15
8
14
2
3
3
50 to 59
49%
43
8
8
11
4
3
4
60 to 68
52%
43
3
9
9
3
2
5
69 to 89
49%
50
1
8
2
4
*
3
1
1
4
1
1
3
*
1
5
1
1
3
1
*
3
2
*
3
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
All Buyers
34 and younger
12%
22%
15%
Student Loans
Credit card debt
Car loan
Child care expenses
Health care costs
Other
46%
50
38
17
12
8
54%
35
30
10
7
15
23%
41
25
19
11
24
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
60 to 68
69 to 89
5%
3%
1%
11%
37
16
5
14
42
7%
21
9
4
13
58
1%
12
5
2
15
68
All Buyers
Cut spending on luxury items or non-essential items
Cut spending on entertainment
Cut spending on clothes
Canceled vacation plans
Earned extra income through a second job
Sold a vehicle or decided not to purchase a vehicle
Other
Did not need to make any sacrifices
72%
56
45
24
13
12
4
54
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
69 to 89
8%
6
5
6
2
2
1
85
45%
42
Much more difficult than expected40
Somewhat
more difficult than expected
40%
Not difficult/No more difficult than expected
35%than expected
Easier
30
30%
26
26
24
25%
20%
23%
19%
18%
15
15%
15
17%
21
44
21%
17
16
20
16
13
15%
10%
5%
0%
All Buyers
34 and younger
35 to 49
50 to 59
60 to 68
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
69 to 89
100%
Was rejected
by a90%
lender
(s)
Did 80%
not have
application
70%
rejected
60%
All Buyers
96
4%
96
95
96
97
100
100
100
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
4%
5%
4%
3%
0%
0%
0%
All Buyers
34 and younger
35 to 49
50 to 59
60 to 68
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
69 to 89
All Buyers
8%
2009
34 and younger
4%
2010
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
69 to 89
7%
2009
Fixed-rate mortgage
Fixed- then adjustable-rate mortgage
Adjustable-rate mortgage
Don't know
Other
All Buyers
92%
5%
3
*
1
34 and younger
93%
4%
2
*
*
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
69 to 89
89%
7%
4
*
1
All Buyers
34 and younger
61%
56%
60%
22
28
56%
12
8
4
5
2
3
70%
Conventional
61%
FHA
VA60%
Don't Know
Other
50%
70%
60 to 68 69 to 89
69%
70%
14
5
15
21
1
4
1
1
40%
28
30%
23
22
12
10%
21
19
20%
8
4
13
11
3 3
14 15
5
2 2
1 1
4
1
0%
All Buyers
34 and younger
Conventional
35 to 49
FHA
50 to 59
VA
Don't Know
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
60 to 68
Other
69 to 89
79%
40
27
12
7
14
34 and younger
84%
42
30
12
4
12
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
35 to 49 50 to 59
82%
77%
39
40
30
26
13
12
6
8
12
15
60 to 68
77%
39
26
12
9
14
69 to 89
72%
38
20
15
9
19
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
Year Born:
1980-1995
1965-1979
1955-1964
1946-1954
1925-1945
Age in 2014:
34 and younger
35 to 49
50 to 59
60 to 68
69 to 89
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
Percent in
Category
15%
27
20
23
16
Median
Age in
Group
31
41
55
64
73
All Sellers
3%
5
5
6
7
8
9
10
15
10
7
4
12
$96,700
34 and younger
1%
4
3
6
8
8
14
11
21
11
5
5
4
$94,400
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
35 to 49
1%
1
2
3
5
6
6
12
17
14
8
5
20
$121,400
50 to 59
3%
4
3
5
6
5
8
9
13
13
11
5
15
$115,300
60 to 68
3%
5
8
10
10
11
9
9
13
7
5
2
9
$78,900
69 to 89
6%
12
9
11
10
9
9
11
10
5
2
1
5
$66,700
88%
All Sellers
74%
14
7
4
1
90%
Married couple
80%
74%
Single female
Single male
70%
Unmarried
couple
Other
60%
34 and younger
88%
75%6
2
5
1
69 to 89
74%
15
69% 8
1
2
74%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
22
18
15
14
7
9 9
6
1
3 3
2 1
0%
All Sellers
34 and younger
35 to 49
Married couple
Single female
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
50 to 59
Single male
60 to 68
Unmarried couple
Other
69 to 89
100%
All Sellers
None
67%
90%
One
11
Two 80%
15
Three or more
7
67%
70%
98%
97%
69 to 89
98%
1
1
1
60%
50%
35%
40%
35
30%
30
30%
24
19
20%
15
16
12
11
11
10%
0%
All Sellers
34 and younger
35 to 49
None
One
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
50 to 59
Two
Three or more
60 to 68
69 to 89
34 and younger
93%
1
2
5
1
35 to 49
87%
2
6
5
2
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
50 to 59
91%
3
3
4
3
60 to 68
95%
1
1
2
1
69 to 89
97%
1
1
2
*
100%
English
90%
Other
AGE OF HOME
97%SELLER
100%
98%
All Sellers
98%
2
34 and younger
100%
*
35 to 49
97%
3
50 to 59
98%
2
98%
60 to 68 69 to 89
100%
98%
*
2
100%
98%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
All Sellers
34 and younger
35 to 49
English
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
50 to 59
Other
60 to 68
69 to 89
100% seller
First-time
Repeat seller
90%
All Sellers
30%
70
34 and younger
75%
25
69 to 89
11%
89
92
89
81
75%
80%
70
70%
57
60%
50%
43%
40%
30%
25
30%
20%
20%
8%
11%
10%
0%
All Sellers
34 and younger
35 to 49
First-time seller
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
50 to 59
Repeat seller
60 to 68
69 to 89
80%
All Sellers
Same state
68%
68%
Same
15
70%region
Other region
17
34 and younger
72%
72%
14
14
AGE OF HOME
77% SELLER
35 to 49 50 to 59 60 to 68 69 to 89
77%
67%
59%
65%
12
16
2067%
16
12
17
22
20
65%
59%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
15
20
17
14
14
16
12
17
22
20
16
12
10%
0%
All Sellers
34 and younger
35 to 49
Same state
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
50 to 59
Same region
Other region
60 to 68
69 to 89
Suburb/Subdivision
Small town
Urban area/Central city
Rural area
Resort/Recreation area
All Sellers
34 and younger
53%
17
14
14
3
49%
15
22
13
1
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
58%
17
12
12
1
60 to 68
69 to 89
49%
16
13
18
5
41%
24
13
18
6
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
81%
6
5
2
6
82%
7
5
2
4
84%
4
3
1
7
77%
8
5
3
8
69 to 89
77%
5
6
2
11
34 and younger
35 to 49
50 to 59
60 to 68
69 to 89
1,680
1,950
2,140
2,000
2,000
2,270
2,400
2,100
1,840
1,850
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
Difference
590
450
-40
-160
-150
1%
13
86
3
16
58
26
2
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
3%
13
84
3
24
63
13
2
1%
11
89
3
14
49
37
2
60 to 68
69 to 89
2%
15
83
3
14
59
27
2
1%
14
85
3
11
68
22
2
34 and younger
35 to 49
50 to 59
60 to 68
69 to 89
$171,800
$235,000
$267,000
$238,400
$240,000
$245,000
$304,000
$258,000
$225,900
$210,000
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
Difference
$73,200
$69,000
-$9,000
-$12,500
-$30,000
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
35 to 49
29%
21
4
11
50 to 59
6%
19
9
11
60 to 68
6%
5
23
8
69 to 89
5%
1
28
6
14
4
1
14
13
5
7
15
19
6
16
11
1
7
5
5
7
1
*
1
3
*
6
5
*
8
4
*
6
5
*
12
100%
Yes, and lived in home
Yes, 90%
but rented home to83others
and lived elsewhere
80% home when I wanted
No, sold
to sell
70%
69 to 89
94
89 6%
*
94
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
23%
17%
16%
17%
11%
3
6%
1
0%
All Sellers
34 and younger
35 to 49
50 to 59
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
60 to 68
69 to 89
4%
9
12
11
20
20
9
16
10
34 and younger
4%
20
30
21
17
5
N/A
N/A
5
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
35 to 49
5%
10
14
11
27
26
5
2
9
50 to 59
4%
5
9
10
17
21
14
20
11
60 to 68
2%
6
6
7
17
19
14
29
13
69 to 89
2%
7
6
7
16
23
10
30
13
All Sellers
20
34 and younger
15
35 to 49
12
50 to 59
20
35
60 to 68
35
35
69 to 89
35
30
25
20
20
20
15
15
12
10
0
All Sellers
34 and younger
35 to 49
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
50 to 59
60 to 68
69 to 89
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
All Sellers
88%
87
2
9
8
1
1
2
34 and younger 35 to 49 50 to 59 60 to 68 69 to 89
87%
89%
86%
89%
90%
86
87
85
88
88
1
2
1
1
2
12
9
11
9
9
10
8
9
8
7
1
1
1
1
2
1
*
1
*
*
1
2
3
2
1
All Sellers
11%
17
40
22
9
2
34 and younger
8%
16
42
23
9
1
35 to 49
8%
17
45
20
9
1
50 to 59
9%
15
37
26
10
2
60 to 68
15%
15
39
18
10
3
69 to 89
14%
22
34
21
6
3
97%
97%
98%
98%
97%
97%
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
All Sellers
6%
33
12
7
6
4
7
5
6
6
4
4
4
34 and younger
5%
36
14
5
9
5
7
4
6
3
4
2
4
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
35 to 49
5%
36
15
8
5
4
9
4
6
3
3
2
4
50 to 59
10%
31
12
7
7
4
5
5
4
7
4
4
4
60 to 68
7%
32
10
5
5
4
8
6
6
8
5
4
6
69 to 89
6%
31
8
9
8
4
5
5
5
8
5
8
6
55%
25
11
5
4
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
55%
27
9
5
4
35 to 49
50 to 59
60 to 68
69 to 89
59%
24
10
4
4
58%
23
10
6
3
53%
23
14
6
4
50%
30
11
3
5
All Sellers
64%
19
18
6
4
1
3
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
34 and younger
55%
23
27
7
4
*
3
35 to 49 50 to 59 60 to 68
67%
66%
63%
18
19
20
18
15
15
7
5
6
3
4
5
1
1
*
2
3
3
69 to 89
68%
15
13
5
5
1
2
70%
Very Satisfied
Somewhat Satisfied
58%
Somewhat
Dissatisfied
60%
Very Dissatisfied
64%
50%
40%
35
34
30
28
30%
27
25
20%
10%
10
0%
All Sellers
34 and younger
Very Satisfied
35 to 49
Somewhat Satisfied
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
50 to 59
Somewhat Dissatisfied
60 to 68
Very Dissatisfied
69 to 89
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
All 34 and
Sellers younger 35 to 49 50 to 59 60 to 68 69 to 89
38%
45%
38%
34%
38%
40%
22
23
26
23
21
17
5
5
3
5
7
5
4
5
6
3
4
2
4
4
3
5
5
2
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
2
5
1
4
2
4
2
*
2
*
2
2
1
1
2
*
*
1
1
*
2
*
1
2
1
1
3
2
*
*
14
*
5
*
9
1
14
*
12
1
20
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
All Sellers
70%
17
8
3
2
34 and younger
72%
22
6
1
*
35 to 49
72%
17
7
3
1
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
50 to 59
72%
14
7
4
4
60 to 68
67%
17
11
2
3
69 to 89
71%
17
10
2
1
All Sellers
51%
49
51%
49
50%
34 and younger
57%
57%
43
35
63%to 49
63%
37
50 to 59
47%
53
60 to 68
42%
58
53
69 to 89
40%
58
60
60
47%
43
42%
37
40%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
All Sellers
34 and younger
35 to 49
50 to 59
Yes
No
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
60 to 68
69 to 89
100%
Yes
No 90%
Don't know
80%
91%
35 to 49 50 to 59
90%89%
89%
4
6
6
5
60 to 68
90%
90%
6
4
69 to 89
90%
90%
5
5
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
All Sellers
34 and younger
35 to 49
Yes
No
50 to 59
Don't know
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
60 to 68
69 to 89
34 and younger 35 to 49 50 to 59 60 to 68 69 to 89
79%
77%
76%
80%
80%
84%
13
10
12
10
14
11
13
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
All Sellers
23%
20
19
14
13
5
16
5
12
6
15
4
12
4
7
5
3
2
4
3
3
2
2
1
3
4
5
1
*
*
*
*
1
*
*
*
1
1
*
1
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN CHOOSING A REAL ESTATE AGENT TO SELL HOME, BY LEVEL OF SERVICE
PROVIDED BY THE AGENT
(Percentage Distribution)
Reputation of agent
Agent is honest and trustworthy
Agents knowledge of the neighborhood
Agent is friend or family member
Agent has caring personality/good listener
Agents association with a particular firm
Agent's commission
Agent seems 100% accessible because of use
of technology like tablet or smartphone
Professional designations held by agent
Other
All Sellers
36%
19
15
13
4
4
4
34 and
younger
40%
20
10
14
3
2
4
35 to 49
33%
23
13
13
4
2
7
50 to 59
36%
18
13
14
5
4
3
60 to 68
34%
17
18
13
4
5
2
69 to 89
40%
14
20
9
4
6
2
3
2
2
5
1
3
2
2
1
3
1
1
3
2
2
1
2
2
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
89%
71
51
47
44
43
33
13
12
11
9
34 and younger 35 to 49 50 to 59 60 to 68 69 to 89
90%
91%
89%
89%
87%
72
70
74
71
69
56
49
54
51
44
39
45
52
46
53
43
47
49
44
36
43
51
44
38
34
40
40
35
32
16
9
11
11
15
20
14
12
12
11
12
5
10
12
12
14
7
8
7
10
12
14
13
11
8
7
7
6
9
5
4
6
6
5
6
5
11
7
9
5
9
9
8
8
7
10
11
9
3
1
3
3
2
1
3
1
2
4
2
3
2
1
4
2
1
3
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
All Sellers
Real estate agent initiated discussion of
compensation
Client brought up the topic and the real estate
agent was able and willing to negotiate their
commission or fee
Client brought up the topic and the real estate
agent was unwilling or unable to negotiate
their commission or fee
Client did know commissions and fees could
be negotiated but did not bring up the topic
Client did not know commissions and fees
could be negotiated
46%
46%
46%
44%
48%
47%
21
14
23
25
21
22
10
11
12
13
10
10
15
23
12
14
14
11
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
80%
Definitely 68%
70%
Probably
Probably Not
Definitely
Not
60%
Don't Know/ Not Sure
35 to 49
68% 69%
15
7
7
2
50 to 59 60 to 68
69 to73%
89
68%
68% 73%
68%
14
15
13
9
6
7
7
9
7
2
2
1
50%
40%
30%
20
20%
10%
15
15
8 7
87
7 7
3
15
14
7
13
6
7 7
2
0%
All Sellers
34 and younger
Definitely
Probably
35 to 49
Probably Not
50 to 59
Definitely Not
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
60 to 68
69 to 89
All Sellers
None
One time
Two times
Three times
Four or more times
Times recommended
since buying (median)
39%
15
18
10
18
34 and younger
38%
16
19
10
18
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
69 to 89
44%
16
19
8
13
1
Methodology
In July 2014, NAR mailed out a 127-question survey using a random sample weighted to be
representative of sales on a geographic basis to 72,206 recent home buyers. The recent home buyers
had to have purchased a home between July of 2013 and June of 2014. A total of 6,572 responses were
received from primary residence buyers. After accounting for undeliverable questionnaires, the survey
had an adjusted response rate of 9.4 percent.
Consumer names and addresses were obtained from Experian, a firm that maintains an extensive
database of recent home buyers derived from county records. Information about sellers comes from
those buyers who also sold a home.
All information in this Profile is characteristic of the 12-month period ending June 2014, with the
exception of income data, which are reported for 2013. In some sections comparisons are also given for
results obtained in previous surveys. Not all results are directly comparable due to changes in
questionnaire design and sample size. Some results are presented for the four U.S. Census regions:
Northeast, Midwest, South and West. The median is the primary statistical measure used throughout this
report. Due to rounding and omissions for space, percentage distributions may not add to 100 percent.
The definitions of the generations used to distinguish home buyers and sellers were based on a study
published in the REALTOR Universitys Center for Real Estate Studies journal article titled, Generational
Trends in Homeownership: An Era of Renters? by Glenn E. Crellin. Additional splitting of older baby
boomer age groups and younger baby boomer age groups was modeled on research from the Pew
Research Center, Generations 2010.
Year Born:
1980-2000
1965-1979
1955-1964
1946-1954
1925-1945
Age in 2013:
34 and younger
35 to 49
50 to 59
60 to 68
69 to 89
2015 National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends
114