Profile of Today’s Buyers

As we said in this month’s Market Insights, 2026 is about strategy rather than speed. So, who are the buyers and sellers? What drives their decisions? This is insightful information your RE/MAX Alliance Agent provides: realistic expectations and strategic negotiations when working with buyers. The National Association of Realtors® recently published its 2025 Highlights from the Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. Here are a few of the most interesting trends we found in the annual survey:

• First-Time Buyers Are Decreasing. With the higher rates, only 21% of last year’s market were first-time homebuyers. This is a significant drop from 32% in 2023, the lowest share since 1981.

Read: First-Time Buyers Skipping Down Payment Assistance Programs?!?

• Who’s Buying Homes? The median age reached a record 56 years, up from 49 last year. First-time buyers now have a median age of 40, while repeat buyers are typically 62 years old (up from 61).

• Fewer Families with Young Kids. A record-high 24% of buyers did not have children under 18 living at home, reflecting shifting household dynamics. In fact, single female buyers slightly increased to 25%, while single male buyers increased to 10%.

• Multi-Generational Homes on the Rise. 2025 was record-breaking as 19% of buyers purchased a multi-generational home—the highest share ever reported. The main reasons were cost savings (59%), caring for aging parents (47%), and accommodating adult children moving back home (21%).

• Buyers Aren’t Moving As Far. The median move distance was 20 miles, a major downshift from the 50 miles in 2022. But the 2025 trend was still higher than pre-pandemic norms (15 miles, 2018-2021).

• How Long Do Buyers Plan to Stay? Homeowners are far more likely not to move. 2025 buyers expected to stay in their homes for a median of 15 years, and 28% say they never plan to move.

Read: Sellers Think It’s 2022. Buyers Think It’s 2008.

• Sellers are Older and More Established. No surprise, the typical home seller age is now 63 years old, and owned their homes for an average of 10 years. So many buyers are negotiating with Gen X and Baby Boomers.

• Why Are Sellers Moving & What Homes Are They Buying? Sellers are primarily moving due to life changes, timing, and necessity. 15% purchased a new home, while 85% bought a previously owned home, citing affordability and renovation concerns as key factors.
  

And in a more complex market, real estate agents are more essential than ever. Numbers show that 88% of buyers worked with a real estate agent, mainly to find the right home (50%) and navigate the buying process (13%). 92% rated their agent’s assistance as very or somewhat helpful.

Remember, our communities along the Front Range are a more balanced market than in previous years. So buyers have even more negotiating power. Your RE/MAX Alliance Agent will help you set up an effective search, recommend top-notch lenders, and work with you every step of the journey.

Sources: nar.realtor