Who's Buying All the Houses? New Survey Reveals the Top Competition Right Now (2024)

Just about everyone knows the housing market is blisteringly hot right now. One look on Realtor.com® will confirm there aren’t many homes for sale—and what is on the market has a supersized price attached to it.

However, even in such a challenging market, first-time homebuyers were able to beat back competition from swarms of millennials, cash-rich investors, and baby boomers looking to downsize, and purchase about a third of all of the homes for sale, according to the National Association of Realtors® annual Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report. They represented about 34% of buyers, up from 31% in the previous year.

“Given everything with the [COVID-19] pandemic and the shortage in inventory, it’s encouraging seeing younger buyers entering homeownership,” says Brandi Snowden, director of member and consumer survey research at NAR.

The report is based on a 129-question survey filled out by nearly 5,800 people who bought a home to live in between July 2020 and June 2021. Income data is from 2020.

Millennials made up 43% of homebuyers in the past year—compared with 37% in the previous one. However, older millennials, aged 32 to 41, were more likely to be selling their first homes rather than entering the market for the first time.

“Many people recognize that a house offers not only shelter but also a long-term store of wealth, which has enabled prior generations to build a solid financial foundation, and even move higher on the socioeconomic ladder,” says George Ratiu, manager of economic research at Realtor.com. “In times of rising inflation, buying a home can serve as a way to control spiraling costs, by either locking in a fixed rate or possibly minimizing monthly expenses.

“With rents also surging, many first-time buyers may lower their monthly expenses by buying a home in markets where the monthly cost of a mortgage payment is lower than comparable rent,” he says.

Who’s out there competing for homes?

In such an overheated market, with many more buyers than homes for sale, it’s good to understand the competition.

Millennials have made up the biggest percentage of homebuyers since 2014. About 81% of younger millennials, aged 25 to 31, and 48% of older millennials were first-time buyers.

“As millennials transitioned from one stage of life to the next, their preferences shifted from renting in urban downtowns to buying in the suburbs,” says Ratiu. “These trends started before the COVID pandemic but accelerated as health concerns, social distancing, and remote work became the norm. Due to the sheer size of the [generation], millennials are the dominant demographic group in today’s housing market.”

Baby boomers, many seeking their forever homes, purchased the second most properties, often competing with millennials for smaller, more affordable abodes. Younger boomers, aged 57 to 66, made up about 17% of buyers, while older boomers, aged 67 to 75, bought about 12% of homes.

They were followed by Generation X, aged 42 to 56, who made up 22% of recent buyers. These buyers were often looking for larger, trade-up homes.

The silent generation, aged 76 to 96, purchased 4% of homes, while members of Gen Z, aged 18 to 22, represented just 2% of homebuyers.

___

Watch: Do You Know the New Rules of Homebuying in Today’s Crazy Market?

___

With prices hitting new highs and many sales going for well over the asking price, buyers were wealthier with a median household income of $102,000.

They were also overwhelmingly white, at 82%, and heterosexual, at 89%, of buyers. Just 6% were Black, 6% were Asian, and 7% were Hispanic. (Respondents could select multiple races, and 2% chose other.)

Nearly two-thirds were married couples. Many were two-income households, often giving these buyers an edge in affording high housing prices and the bidding wars that followed.

Single women, often living off of just one income, represented about 19% of buyers. Roughly 9% of single men were in the market as well as 9% of unmarried couples.

“While younger generations have postponed major traditional life decisions, like marriage, they recognize that buying a home does not have to be tied to a specific life stage,” says Ratiu. “Single women see real estate as an important component of economic well-being and long-term financial stability.”

Why are homebuyers braving the challenging housing market?

Keep up with key real estate trends Sign up now

Even in the face of such a daunting struggle—finding a home that met their needs, coming up with the money to afford it, and prevailing in a bidding war—buyers weren’t dissuaded.

The top reasons to purchase a home—even in this crazy market—were that they wanted to own a property of their own; they wanted larger residences; they wanted to be closer to family and friends; there was a change in their family circ*mstances, such as a marriage, divorce, or birth of a child; or they sought a property in a better location.

However, nearly three-quarters of buyers were forced to compromise on what they wanted in a home.

About 27% of all buyers compromised on price, while 21% settled on the home’s condition. Buyers also made trade-offs on the size of their residences and their yards along with the distance from their family, friends, and jobs.

“Buyers are compromising more because of the lack of homes available to view,” says Snowden.

The overwhelming majority of buyers, 87%, took out mortgages to finance their homes. They were helped by record-low mortgage rates, which fell to the mid-2% range in late 2020 and early 2021. (Rates have since shot up over 4% on 30-year fixed-rate loans, according to Freddie Mac.)

And the median down payment was 13% of the sale price of the home.

What today’s buyers want in a home

As the pandemic dragged on, buyers continued to prefer their own space. The majority, about 82%, of home sales were for existing homes, which are previously owned abodes. Only about 15% of sales were for new construction, mostly from buyers who didn’t want to deal with renovations or problems with the house and wanted to customize their new abode.

Just 7% of sales were for townhouses and row homes, 3% were for duplexes and condos in two- to four-unit buildings, and 1% was for condos in larger buildings.

The typical home cost a median $305,000, spanned 1,900 square feet, and had three bedrooms and two bathrooms. It was built in 1993.

Despite all of the headlines screaming that city dwellers were leaving in droves, the percentage of folks buying in the cities and suburbs remained mostly unchanged over the past two years. Most buyers moved only a median 15 miles away from their previous homes—not across the country,

Just over half of all buyers, 51%, purchased in the suburbs; 21% bought in small towns; 13% purchased in cities; and 12% became homeowners in rural areas. Just 3% purchased in vacation areas.

“We’re not seeing huge differences,” says Snowden.

Home sellers are making big profits

Many home sellers made some big money off the sale of their properties, pocketing about $85,000 over what they originally paid for their abodes. They typically lived in their homes about eight years.

Sellers typically got the prices they wanted for their homes with only about a quarter reducing the list price of their properties. Their homes sold for a median $315,000.

“The steep price appreciation of the past two years topped a decade of steady price gains, the result of a growing economy and lack of meaningful new construction,” says Ratiu. “For many homeowners, even some who may have purchased fairly recently, the jump in prices meant that they were able to sell for significantly more than what they paid for their house.”

In such a hot market, only about a quarter of sellers reduced the list price of their homes.

Not surprisingly, baby boomers represented the largest percentage of home sellers, at 42%.

Who's Buying All the Houses? New Survey Reveals the Top Competition Right Now (2024)

FAQs

Why is BlackRock buying all the houses? ›

The company can build equity.

If the company has borrowed money to purchase the house, it can build equity over time, essentially increasing the percentage of the home it owns outright and can then borrow against later on.

Who is most likely to sell their home? ›

The boomers' share of selling rose to 52% in 2022 from 42% in 2021, according to an annual report by the National Association of Realtors. Baby boomers make up 39% of home buyers, up from 29% last year. Younger boomers dominated selling, comprising 30% of home sellers.

Will house prices go down in 2023 usa? ›

Although home prices are expected to improve in the second half of the year, the California median home price is projected to decrease by 5.6 percent to $776,600 in 2023, down from the median price of $822,300 recorded in 2022.

Will 2023 be a good time to buy a house? ›

Homebuyer.com data analysis indicates that, for first-time home buyers, June 2023 is a good time to buy a house relative to later in the year. This article provides an unbiased look at current mortgage rates, housing market conditions, and market sentiment.

How many US homes does BlackRock own? ›

BLACKROCK AND SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES

Invitation Homes, for example, has approximately 80,000 homes for lease across the country and is the largest landlord for single-family homes in the United States (here) (here).

What percentage of US homes are owned by corporations? ›

Large institutions owned roughly 5% of the 14 million single-family rentals nationally in early 2022, according to analysts.

What is the number one killer of deals in the real estate industry? ›

Experienced real estate professionals know there are hundreds of ways a deal can fall apart, from credit and financing problems to appraisals to just plain cold feet. But certainly, one of the more common deal killers is the home inspection.

Where do houses sell the fastest? ›

Nashville was the hottest market, with an average listing time of 14 days. Seattle was the second fastest-moving, averaging 17 days. Omaha and Salt Lake City both averaged 18 days, and Cincinnati, Birmingham, Charlotte, Denver, Las Vegas, Manchester and San Francisco were also among the busiest.

What is most often the reason a property does not sell? ›

The price is too high. When it comes to reasons a home isn't selling, “If it's not condition, it's always price,” says Simpkins. “And in fact, it's usually always price.”

What is the best date to close on a house? ›

If you need to be occupying your home by a certain date to save on rent, it's a much better deal to close at the end of the previous month (for example, January 30) instead of the beginning of the current month (February 1).

What to expect next from the housing market? ›

Mortgage Bankers Association: The trade group's latest forecast has U.S. home prices, as measured by the FHFA US House Price Index, falling 0.6% in 2023 and another 1.4% dip in 2024. It then expects national home prices to rise 2.1% in 2025. (Forecast updated on April 17, 2023).

Will mortgage rates drop in 2024? ›

"Possibly in 2024, but it will depend on the Fed's decisions about raising rates in the second half of the year," says Fleming. "And even if they do go down, it won't be back to the rates of yesteryear. 6% mortgage rates used to be normal, and that's more reasonable to expect too."

What should you not do when staging a house? ›

20 Most Common Staging Mistakes
  1. Too Much Furniture.
  2. Furniture That Doesn't Fit the Room.
  3. Household Smells.
  4. Keeping Knick Knacks on Display.
  5. Excessive Dark Paint.
  6. Drastically Different Paint Colors Throughout the Home.
  7. Pushing All Furniture Against the Walls.
  8. A Lack of Light.

How much did house prices drop in the recession 2008? ›

The median price for a U.S. home sold during the fourth quarter of 2008 fell to $180,100, down from $205,700 during the last quarter of 2007. Prices fell by a record 9.5% in 2008, to $197,100, compared to $217,900 in 2007. In comparison, median home prices dipped a mere 1.6% between 2006 and 2007.

How high will interest rates go in 2023? ›

Since the start of 2022, the Fed has hiked rates 10 times to combat rising inflation. As of May 2023, the federal funds rate ranges from 5.00% to 5.25%. If this prediction is correct, it won't be surprising to see some of the best high-yield savings accounts offering rates exceeding 4%.

Who owns the most houses in the US? ›

John Malone is the largest private landowner in the United States. Malone made his fortune as a media tycoon, building the company Tele-Communications, Inc, or TCI, and acting as its CEO before selling it to AT&T for $50 billion in 1999.

Who are the 7 owners of BlackRock? ›

BlackRock was founded in 1988 by Larry Fink, Robert S. Kapito, Susan Wagner, Barbara Novick, Ben Golub, Hugh Frater, Ralph Schlosstein, and Keith Anderson to provide institutional clients with asset management services from a risk management perspective.

What family owns BlackRock? ›

Reflects change since 5 pm ET of prior trading day. Larry Fink is the founder, CEO and chairman of powerhouse investment management firm BlackRock, one of the world's largest asset managers. He and seven partners founded BlackRock in 1988.

Why are investors buying up all the houses? ›

Investors piled into the housing market in 2021 due to rock-bottom mortgage rates and surging housing demand, and are now retreating amid projections that home prices have room to fall.

Who is buying these expensive houses? ›

With prices hitting new highs and many sales going for well over the asking price, buyers were wealthier with a median household income of $102,000. They were also overwhelmingly white, at 82%, and heterosexual, at 89%, of buyers. Just 6% were Black, 6% were Asian, and 7% were Hispanic.

Who is the largest owner of single-family homes? ›

In October 2021, the Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations surveyed the five largest owners of single-family rental homes in the U.S. The list includes Invitation Homes, American Homes 4 Rent, FirstKey Homes (owned by Cerberus Capital Management), Progress Residential (owned by Pretium Partners) and Amherst ...

What is the toughest thing for real estate agent? ›

The 5 Hardest Things About Being a Realtor
  • Uncertainty about real estate market. This is perhaps one of the biggest uncertainties realtors have to deal with on a daily basis. ...
  • Constantly being on the go. ...
  • Commission is by no means a guarantee. ...
  • Being underpaid for hard work. ...
  • Dealing with difficult clients.

What is the biggest risk in real estate? ›

High Vacancy Rates

High vacancies are especially risky if you count on rental income to pay for the property's mortgage, insurance, property taxes, maintenance, and the like.

What is the biggest threat to the real estate industry? ›

Inflation and interest rates.

“An economic slowdown is underway, and the greatest recession risk to real estate is whether rising unemployment and lower household income cuts demand for residential and commercial property,” the CRE report finds.

What month sells the most houses? ›

Sellers can net thousands of dollars more if they sell during the peak months of May, June and July versus the two slowest months of the year, October and December, according to a 2022 report by ATTOM Data Solutions.

What month do homes sell the fastest? ›

  • Nationally, the best time to sell a house is March if you're trying to sell quickly, while the best time to maximize profit is July. ...
  • Historically, May was the best month to sell a house, but that changed to March in recent years. ...
  • If you're hoping to sell for more than the asking price, aim for the week of April 22.

Where is the hottest housing market? ›

The hottest housing markets include those markets in North Carolina, Colorado and Texas that were also popular during the pandemic, including Raleigh and Durham, Denver and Austin. Markets to watch that improved the most between November and December 2022 include Portland, Oregon, Richmond, Virginia, and St.

What are the 10 reason to not buy a house? ›

Some of the reasons include: not having a down payment, having bad credit or a high debt ratio, having no job security, and renting being 50% cheaper. Other reasons include: moving frequently, being in an unstable relationship, being in a declining market, traveling a lot, or the fact that everyone else is doing it.

What happens when there are no sellers in the market? ›

The trade gets cash settled if there are no sellers in the auction market. If the closing price of Oriental Trimex on the auction date was ₹18, the exchange cash settles the trade at ₹21.6 (20% higher than 18).

What happens if a seller decides not to sell? ›

And in many cases, a home seller who reneges on a purchase contract can be sued for breach of contract. A judge could order the seller to sign over a deed and complete the sale anyway. “The buyer could sue for damages, but usually, they sue for the property,” Schorr says.

What not to do the week before closing on a house? ›

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Closing on a Mortgage
  1. Opening a New Line of Credit.
  2. Making a Large Purchase on Your Credit Card.
  3. Quitting or Changing Your Job.
  4. Ignoring Your Closing Schedule.
  5. Forgetting to Pay Bills.
Jun 29, 2022

How long after closing is first payment due? ›

When Is Your First Mortgage Payment Due After Closing? The first mortgage payment is typically due on the first of the month, one full month (30 days) after the closing date. Monthly mortgage installments are paid in arrears, meaning you'll be making payments for the month prior rather than the current month.

Will US house prices drop? ›

Inflation concerns, slowing job gains and wage growth, the potential for a recession, and elevated interest rates are causing some buyers to be cautious. The market is likely to experience a decline in annual home price growth during the spring and early summer months, with a potential rebound later in 2023.

Will I ever afford a house? ›

Stick to the 28/36 Rule. No matter how you finance your home purchase, most experts agree that people should not spend more than 28% of their gross income on housing expenses, and no more than 36% on debt. For example, if you earn $5,000 each month, your ideal mortgage payment should be no more than $1,400 per month.

What happened to housing in 2008? ›

In 2008, the housing market bubble burst when subprime mortgages, a huge consumer debt load, and crashing home values converged. Homeowners began defaulting on the home loans.

What will mortgage rates be in fall 2023? ›

“We expect that 30-year mortgage rates will end 2023 at 5.2%,” the organization noted in its forecast commentary. It since has walked back its forecast slightly but still sees rates dipping below 6%, to 5.6%, by the end of the year.

What is the federal rate right now? ›

Fed Funds Rate
This WeekYear Ago
Fed Funds Rate (Current target rate 5.00-5.25)5.251
6 days ago

How long will interest rates stay high? ›

'I believe by the end of 2023 we will see rates start to fall with a target of between 2.5 to 3 per cent in 2024. 'I believe if the base rate can get back to circa 2.5 per cent, then we will see rates hovering around that mark with a return to products that have not been seen in the mortgage industry for some time.'

What sells better an empty house or a staged house? ›

Staged Homes Usually Sell Faster and For More Money

Ninety-five percent of staged homes sell in 11 days or less, which is 87% faster than non-staged homes. They also sell for an average of 17% more, so you could recoup the cost of staging and then some.

What is the 3 foot 5 foot rule in home staging? ›

Too much visual interest can create a dizzying effect. When it comes to accessories, follow the “3-to-5-foot” rule for surface décor and knickknacks: surfaces in the 3-foot to 5-foot range, such as coffee tables and credenzas, should have the right balance of accents but be clear of clutter.

Who predicted the housing market crash? ›

Investor Michael Burry, who rose to fame when he predicted the collapse of the U.S. housing bubble before the 2008 financial crisis, has warned that the U.S. economy is likely to enter a recession this year.

What happens to interest rates when housing market crashes? ›

A housing market crash won't affect your existing fixed-rate mortgage. However, if the value of your home drops below your purchase price, then you'll be making payments that are greater than the worth of your property.

How long did it take to recover from 2008 recession? ›

Recovery From the Great Recession

Following these policies, the economy gradually recovered. Real GDP bottomed out in the second quarter of 2009 and regained its pre-recession peak in the second quarter of 2011, three and a half years after the initial onset of the official recession.

What will interest rates be in 2023 2024? ›

Direct Loan Interest Rates for 2023-2024
Loan Type10-Year Treasury Note High YieldFixed Interest Rate
Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans for Undergraduate Students3.448%5.50%
Direct Unsubsidized Loans for Graduate and Professional Students3.448%7.05%
1 more row
May 16, 2023

Will house interest rates go back down 2023? ›

“[W]ith the rate of inflation decelerating rates should gently decline over the course of 2023.” Fannie Mae. 30-year fixed rate mortgage will average 6.4% for Q2 2023, according to the May Housing Forecast. National Association of Realtors (NAR).

What is the interest rate forecast for 2023 and 2024? ›

Both estimates are largely in line with fresh projections from officials in March. The Fed penciled in a 5-5.25 percent peak interest rate for 2023, after which officials see rates falling to 4.25-4.5 percent by the end of 2024.

What does BlackRock do with houses? ›

Providing capital for mortgages to help American families buy new homes. BlackRock is a significant investor in mortgage securities, helping make capital available to individuals and families seeking to purchase homes.

Is BlackRock buying all the houses? ›

Spokesperson Christopher Beattie said via email, “Contrary to some speculation and misperception, BlackRock does not purchase individual homes in the U.S.” He provided a statement the company circulated to address growing concern about its real estate goals.

What company does BlackRock own the most of? ›

BlackRock's top three holdings are Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), and Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN). BLK owns $141 billion of AAPL stock, $120.8 billion of MSFT, and $65.8 billion of AMZN.

How much does BlackRock actually own? ›

These firms were right of Federal Reserve which helped in time of 2008 housing crises to clear the mess. BlackRock and Vanguard AUM is $8.6 & $8.1 trillion, respectively. In total, they both own/invested in 1,600 U.S. companies(Reuters:2022).

Does BlackRock own American homes? ›

ownership in AMH / American Homes 4 Rent - Class A. 2023-02-01 - BlackRock Inc. has filed an SC 13G/A form with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosing ownership of 23,468,809 shares of American Homes 4 Rent - Class A (US:AMH). This represents 6.7 percent ownership of the company.

What percentage of US homes are owned by investors? ›

According to data reported by the PEW Trust and originally gathered by CoreLogic, as of 2022, investment companies own about one fourth of all single-family homes. Last year, investor purchases accounted for 22% of American homes sold. This is significantly down from the 80% number in 2020-2021, why is this?

Who owns the biggest part of BlackRock? ›

BlackRock is not owned by a single individual or company. Instead, its shares are owned by a large number of individual and institutional investors. The biggest institutional shareholders such as The Vanguard Group and State Street are merely custodians of the stock for their clients.

Why is BlackRock so powerful? ›

BlackRock is a top shareholder across a wide range of global industries that include oil and gas, technology, retail, big banks, healthcare, weapons manufacturing, and much more. All this makes BlackRock one of the most powerful corporate actors on the planet, whose influence touches every aspect of our daily lives.

How many companies are owned by BlackRock? ›

As of December 2018, BlackRock was the world's largest investor in coal-fired power stations, holding shares worth $11 billion in 56 companies in the industry.

Does BlackRock own Walmart? ›

BlackRock, Inc., holds 3.60% of Walmart shares, worth about $13.6 billion. BlackRock, Inc., is a multinational investment company in New York City. It is the largest asset manager in the world, with about $10 trillion worth of assets as of January 2022.

Does BlackRock own Pfizer? ›

Hedge funds don't have many shares in Pfizer. The Vanguard Group, Inc. is currently the largest shareholder, with 8.9% of shares outstanding. With 7.8% and 5.7% of the shares outstanding respectively, BlackRock, Inc. and Capital Research and Management Company are the second and third largest shareholders.

Is BlackRock owned by China? ›

New York-based BlackRock is the first foreign-owned company allowed by Beijing to operate a wholly-owned business in China's burgeoning mutual fund industry.

Does BlackRock own Disney? ›

We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Walt Disney. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is The Vanguard Group, Inc. with 8.0% of shares outstanding. BlackRock, Inc. is the second largest shareholder owning 6.6% of common stock, and State Street Global Advisors, Inc.

Is BlackRock the most powerful company in the world? ›

BlackRock and Vanguard are the world's largest asset managers with a combined R309 trillion in assets under management (AUM), and they own stakes in most of the world's biggest businesses.

What banks are owned by BlackRock? ›

BlackRock is also the sole shareholder and owner of shares in the four largest Australian banks. The company has hands-on everything. The German postal system, Commerzbank, and Deutsche Bank in Germany, followed by Lloyds Bank in the UK, and BlackRock is a stakeholder in all of them.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Sen. Ignacio Ratke

Last Updated:

Views: 5890

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Sen. Ignacio Ratke

Birthday: 1999-05-27

Address: Apt. 171 8116 Bailey Via, Roberthaven, GA 58289

Phone: +2585395768220

Job: Lead Liaison

Hobby: Lockpicking, LARPing, Lego building, Lapidary, Macrame, Book restoration, Bodybuilding

Introduction: My name is Sen. Ignacio Ratke, I am a adventurous, zealous, outstanding, agreeable, precious, excited, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.