June Stat Shot: Takeaways

As peak homebuying and selling season approaches, we want to highlight a couple of new reports that provide insight on what buyers and sellers are looking for as they shop for real estate. We hope this data gives you some actionable ideas to help you better target potential clients.

Generational Trends

NAR’s 2025 Home Buyers and Sellers Generation Trends Report looks at each generation and how they are buying and selling homes. Here are some key stats from this year:

• Baby boomers (ages 60 to 78) accounted for the largest share of home buyers, at 42%. This is a drastic shift from last year when Millennials (ages 26 to 44) made up the largest share of home buyers. Boomers purchased homes primarily to be closer to friends and family, to relocate in retirement or to downsize. Half of older Boomers (ages 70-78) purchased homes with cash and no financing.
• Generation X (ages 45-59) had the highest median income of home buyers, at $130,000. With the extra income, this generation purchased larger homes with a median of 2,000 square feet.
• Millennials (ages 26-44) accounted for 29% of all buyers, which is a sharp decline from 38% one year ago. Almost three quarters of younger millennials (ages 26-34) were first time home buyers.
• Gen Z (ages 18-25) accounted for only 3% of buyers and 2% of sellers. This isn’t surprising as this generation has the lowest household incomes and are unlikely to be married or have kids.

Download the full report for more insights on generational trends.

What Do Buyers and Sellers Want?

Zillow’s 2025 Consumer Housing Trends Report for Agents provides insights on how buyers and sellers feel about researching, hiring and working with agents. Here are a few actionable key takeaways:

• Boost Your Online Presence: Buyers and sellers are finding agents largely online or through a referral. Twenty three percent of buyers and 36% of sellers found their agent through a real estate website or app, while 22% of buyers and 28% of sellers found their agent through a referral from friends and family.
• Social Media Can Help: Almost half of prospective buyers (44%) said they are more likely to hire an agent who is active on social media. This varies drastically between generations – 51% of millennials said social media is important to them compared to just 18% of Boomers. Consider who your client base is and if an active social account could help you land more of your target clients.
• Phone Calls Are Out: Buyers are getting pickier about how they want to communicate. Just over half of buyers working with an agent (53%) said they preferred to text or use a messenger app. Responsiveness also matters – 44% of buyers said they were in contact with their agent daily.
• Sellers Care About Digital Tools: Seventy eight percent of sellers said they are more likely to hire an agent who offers hi-res photography while 71% are more likely to hire someone who can offer virtual tours and interactive floor plans.

You can check out the full report with more insights on what buyers and sellers are looking for.