Real Estate
Median age of homebuyer explodes to 56 years old
When you picture a typical homebuyer, you probably envision a young adult in their 30s who is ready to put down roots and buy a property for the family they’re beginning to build.
This was certainly true back in 1981. The median age of a homebuyer at the time was 31 years old, according to data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
But the age of the median buyer has moved higher — a lot higher — over the past four decades. It sits at a whopping 56 years old as of 2024.
To put it another way, the person most likely to buy a home in the current market is much closer to retirement and being an empty-nester than to starting a new family.
Here’s a look at what’s driving this strange dynamic in the housing market and how young families can try to shift the odds in their favor.
