Published by REALTOR Magazine | March 18, 2021
Baby Boomers made up the majority of sellers last year at 43%—and they also saw the highest profits.
Overall, home sellers of all age groups who sold their homes last year saw a median gain of $66,000 more than what they originally purchased for—a $6,000 increase compared to the previous year. But for sellers ages 66 to 74, they saw a median gain of $100,000 in equity, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ 2021 Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends report.
“In a real estate market that is tipped in favor of sellers, boomers and older homeowners are really the ones holding the cards.”
—Realtor.com®’s chief economist
As the housing market surges, homeowners who’ve been in their homes the longest tend to see the highest profits at resale. Younger baby boomers (those between the ages of 56 to 65) tended to live in their homes a median of 14 years whereas older segment of baby boomers (those between the ages of 66 to 74) had lived in their homes a median of 16 years, according to NAR’s report. The median tenure in a home for the overall population is 10 years.
The primary reason baby boomers cited for selling their home: To purchase a similarly sized home closer to family members and friends. The second most popular reason to sell was to downsize.
