Baby Boomers Are Back on Top: What It Means for the Housing Market
In a major shift within the U.S. real estate market, baby boomers have officially regained their position as the largest group of home buyers, according to the latest 2025 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR).
Boomers — those aged 60 to 78 — now make up a striking 42% of recent home buyers, overtaking millennials, whose share dropped to 29% from 38% the previous year. The reasons for this resurgence are clear: many boomers are retiring, relocating to be closer to family, or downsizing — and importantly, they’re doing it with cash.
In fact, nearly half of older boomers and 39% of younger boomers are buying homes outright, with no financing needed. Years of homeownership have given them equity to play with, allowing them to navigate today’s high interest rates far more comfortably than younger generations.
Meanwhile, millennials — who had dominated the homebuying market for the past eight years — are facing significant affordability challenges. Over 90% of buyers aged 44 and younger are still financing their purchases, and many are turning to family members for help. For example, 27% of younger millennials and 13% of older millennials used gifts from relatives or friends to fund their down payments.
Another notable trend is the increase in multigenerational home purchases. Generation X leads this movement, with 21% of Gen X buyers purchasing homes that accommodate aging parents, adult children, or both. As housing costs remain high and caregiving responsibilities increase, multigenerational living is becoming a practical — and often necessary — choice.
This shifting generational landscape highlights how important it is to work with professionals who understand the unique needs of every buyer. Whether you’re a cash-ready boomer or a first-time millennial buyer trying to stretch your budget, having the right support makes all the difference.
At Real Title Services, we help title agencies, lenders, investors, and law firms meet their real estate goals by providing nationwide title searches, including residential, commercial, back-to-patent, and mineral rights searches, along with document retrievals. If you’re seeing a rise in baby boomer clients or handling multigenerational property scenarios, we’re here to support your workflow with fast, accurate results and exceptional service.
Read the full NAR report here.
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