7 Key Insights from NAR’s 2025 Home Buyers and Sellers Report

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial moves you’ll ever make.

And the market is changing fast.

The National Association of REALTORS®’ has produced a very insightful report on Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends. This 2025 reportis packed with information to help homebuyers like you toknow more about today’s market.

From student debt struggles to generational priorities, here are seven key stats every homebuyer should know. Plus,practical tips to help you use this information to make smarter homebuying decisions.

7 Must-Know Stats for Smarter Homebuying

1. Gen Xers are the power players

Gen Xers (ages 45–59) make up 24% of homebuyers, and as the highest earners, with a median income of $130,000,they’re making a strong impact on the market. Their financial stability gives them the freedom to prioritize larger homes, often around 2,000 square feet, to support multi-generational living or investment plans.

What you should do: If you’re a Gen Xer, leverage dual incomes to compete in the market. You should consider a multi-generational home if cost-sharing aligns with your family’s needs. And if you’re a competing homebuyer, you should move quickly. Gen Xers are more likely to pay above the asking price.

2. Decrease in first-time homebuyers

Only 24% of buyers in 2024 were purchasing their first home. Younger Millennials (26–34) dominate this group, while Gen Z participation remains minimal, which hints a growing affordability crisis.

What you should do: Start saving early, even if this means living with family for the mean time. You can also explore down payment assistance programs or “house hacking” where you rent out a room or a part of your home to help reduce costs.

3. The impact of student loan debt on homebuying plans

43% of Younger Millennials have student loan debt (median $30,000) which delays their home purchases by a few years.Even Older Boomers (70–78) aren’t immune, 5% of themhave student loan debt from co-signing children’s loans.

Student loan debt force people to make trade-offs. Younger Millennials cut luxury spending to save, while others postponed retirement contributions.

What you should do: Refinance high-interest loans. There are federal programs like income-driven repayment that can free up cash flow. You can also look for lenders that use “debt-shaving” underwriting in which they exclude certain debts from calculations.

4. Different generations, different location priorities

Younger buyers prioritize job proximity (64% of Younger Millennials),while families with children (mostly the Older Millennials) focus on neighborhoods with convenient access to schools, parks, and community amenities.

What you should do: Use tech toolslike Walk Score® to calculate your potential commute times and nearby amenities. Think long-term as well. A starter home near a transit hub could appreciate faster.

5. Older buyers move farther and faster

Homebuyers aged 79–99 moved a median of 35 miles, compared to 12 miles for Younger Millennials. They also found homes in just 8 weeks.

Retirees aren’t tied to jobs, so they prefer affordability or family connections when choosing their next home. Silent Generation homebuyers purchased senior housing, often in low-cost rural areas. Their urgency (many downsizing for health reasons) gives them an edge in bidding wars.

What you should do: If you’re in the Silent Generation, you should partner with agents that have experience in 55+ communities to access off-market listings. For younger homebuyers, don’t underestimate competing with the Silent Generation because some of them are cash buyers.

6. Saving for down payment is challenging for Younger Millennials

33% of Younger Millennials said saving for a down payment was their biggest challenge.

To help themselves become homeowners, some cut luxury spending, others slashed entertainment budgets, and few lived rent-free with family.Let’s face it, rent eats up savings. This group still need few more years to save up for a down payment for a $650,000 home.

Whatyou should do: Automate your savings to be more mindful in your spending and save up spare cash. You can also explore niche loans like FHA loans that can help bring your homeownership dream closer.

7. Agents are non-negotiable

88% of buyers purchased their home through a broker or an agent, valuing their help with negotiations and paperwork.

While home listing apps dominate early searches, agents are still the ones that close the deal. Some of today’s homebuyers find their home online but they still need to workwith agents to secure their home.

What you should do: Interview multiple agents. Ask them about their experience with your generational needs.And if you want to save thousands of dollars without compromising the support of a professional agent, platforms like WithJoy.AI rebate 70% of the buyer’s agent’s commission, putting cash back in your pocket.

What This All Means to You as a Homebuyer

The 2025 housing market isn’t one-size-fits-all - it’s shaped by different generations, financial situations, and shifting priorities.

For Gen Z and Millennials, your key is to think outside the box. There are new ways thatcan make homeownership feel within reach like using our commission rebate that can help you save thousands of dollars when you purchase your home using our AI-powered real estate platform.

For high income earner Gen Xers, you have the chance to buy homes that could become family legacies or multi-generational spaces.

For Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation, it’s about using your home equity to downsize wisely, focusing on comfort and convenience.

What unites all generations is the need to adapt. Markets shift, rates fluctuate, and priorities change. But knowledge always remains your strongest tool.

Whether you're making your first offer or looking for your perfect retirement home, think of these insights as a helpful guide.

Happy house hunting! 🏠✨