The Dream Still Includes Owning A Home

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Overview

• A Coldwell Banker survey shows that homeownership has become the central milestone around which Americans plan major life decisions.
• Aspiring homeowners increasingly delay other life events until they can afford to buy a home.

Key Findings

Homeownership as the New Starting Line

• 71% of aspiring homeowners delay major life choices until they can buy a home.
• Coldwell Banker frames homeownership as “the new starting line for adulthood.”

Life Milestones Being Delayed

• Marriage: 18%
• Having children: 18%
• Career changes / getting a pet: 17%
• Starting a business / becoming self-employed: 15%

Younger Generations

• 84% of Gen Z (18–28) are delaying at least one major life decision.
• 29% of Gen Z are postponing having children.

American Dream Priorities

• 56% say owning a home represents the American Dream.
• Comparisons:
  • Marriage/children: 41%
  • Retiring by 67: 39%
  • Earning a college degree: 23%

Desire to Buy Soon

• 63% want to buy a home within 5 years.
• Gen Z: 70%
• Millennials (29–44): 72%

Strategies to Overcome Affordability Barriers

• Taking side jobs: 42%
• Buying fixer-uppers: 35%
• Moving to more affordable areas: 35%
• Considering co-buying: 36%
• Moving in with parents: 11%

Reasons for Prioritizing Homeownership

• Seen as key to financial security.
• Two-thirds believe buying is smarter long-term than renting.
• Nearly half view real estate as a better wealth-building tool than the stock market.

Conclusion

• The aspiration to own a home remains strong.
• For many Americans, homeownership symbolizes stability, independence, and the foundation for other major life decisions.