Buying a house in 2020? Here’s who you’re up against

January 29, 2020 - 2 min read

Millennials have the biggest homebuying plans in 2020

New survey data shows that just 11% of Americans are planning on buying a house this year. But among Millennials alone? That share almost doubles.

Verify your new rate

For Millennials & Gen Zers, buying a house is in the cards

According to the new Housing Trends Report from the National Association of Home Builders, about one in every 10 Americans has plans to buy a home in the next 12 months. More than 40% are actively looking to find one right now.

Among Millennials, though, 19% have homebuying plans in their future and 46% of those are already on the hunt. Gen Zers are the next most likely to plan on buying a house, with 13% saying they expect to in the next year.

Slightly less Gen Xers are planning to buy (12%), while only a mere 5% of Baby Boomers say homebuying plans are in the works. Regionally, Americans in the South and West are most likely to buy a home this year.

Are Gen Z homebuyers on track to outpace Millennials?

First-time buyer share jumps

Another interesting finding in NAHB’s survey efforts? A large swath of 2020’s homebuyers will be first-timers.

In fact, according to the data, 63% of those planning to buy a house this year will be doing so for the first time. That’s up from just 53% a year prior.

11 first-time homebuyer mistakes to avoid

Nearly nine out of 10 Gen Zers planning to buy a home will be first-timers, while 78% of Millennials will be. The largest share of first-time buyers seems to be in the Northeast, where 65% of respondents planning to buy this year said it would be their first home.

Verify your new rate

Get today’s mortgage rates

Are you considering buying a house this year? Then save on interest costs by shopping around. Get a rate quote below to see what rates you qualify for.

Time to make a move? Let us find the right mortgage for you

Aly J. Yale
Authored By: Aly J. Yale
The Mortgage Reports contributor
Aly J. Yale is a mortgage and real estate writer based in Houston who has contributed to Forbes and worked for organizations such as The Dallas Morning News, PBS, NBC, and Radio Disney.