Baby Boomers Are 42% Of Home Buyers And 55% Of Sellers While First Time Buyers Have Fallen To 21% The Lowest Share Since 1981

When people talk about the housing market, the conversation usually turns to young buyers and first homes. The newest numbers from the National Association of Realtors tell a different story, and it is one that should interest anyone who grew up with a rotary phone. Baby boomers are still the biggest group of home buyers, and they are an even bigger share of sellers.

The findings come from NAR’s 2026 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends report, released April 15, 2026 and published on the NAR newsroom. The report is based on 6,103 responses. Because it is from April, keep that date in mind when you weigh how current the picture is.

Boomers lead on both sides of the sale

According to NAR, boomers made up 42% of home buyers, unchanged from before. On the selling side, they were 55% of sellers. Put those two numbers together and you get a clear picture: boomers are the largest group of buyers and more than half of all sellers in this report.

The report also looked at how long people stayed put before selling. Older boomers sold after about 15 years in their homes, compared with a median of 11 years across all generations. That is a long stretch in one house.

First time buyers hit a record low

The other headline is on the opposite end of the age scale. First time buyers made up 21% of the market, down from 24% and the lowest share since NAR began collecting data in 1981. That is more than four decades of records, and this year’s figure sits at the bottom of the list.

The report also found that multigenerational purchases came in at 14%, down from 17% before. These are homes bought to hold more than one generation of a family under the same roof.

The numbers at a glance

Boomers were 42% of buyers, unchanged, and 55% of sellers.
First time buyers were 21%, down from 24%, the lowest since 1981.
Multigenerational purchases were 14%, down from 17%.
Older boomers sold after about 15 years, versus a median of 11 years for all generations.
The report drew on 6,103 responses.

What it means if you are a boomer thinking about selling

Seeing that boomers are more than half of sellers can make a person feel like part of a crowd. If you are thinking about selling, a few practical questions are worth sitting down with.

Where will you go? Selling is only half the plan. Think about whether you want to buy again, rent, or move in with family, and work out the next step before you list.
How long have you been there? If you have lived in your home longer than the typical owner, it may have years of wear that a buyer will notice. A walk through with a trusted contractor or inspector can show you what to fix and what to leave.
Talk to more than one agent. Ask each how they would price and market your home, and what they have sold nearby recently.
Understand the costs. Ask for a written estimate of what you would net after commissions, repairs and closing costs, so you are not surprised on closing day.
Ask about taxes. A tax professional can explain how a sale might affect you before you sign anything.

What it means if you are a boomer thinking about buying

Boomers held steady at 42% of buyers, so plenty of people in this age group are still shopping. If you are one of them, it is worth thinking hard about what your daily life in the next home will look like. Think about stairs, upkeep, distance from family and the cost of living in a new place.

How to read a report like this

A survey is a snapshot, not a rule for your street. These percentages describe the people who responded to NAR, and your own town may look different. Use them as a conversation starter, then ask a local agent what buyers and sellers are doing in your neighborhood.

It is also worth noticing what did not change. Boomers stayed at 42% of buyers, the same as before, so the group did not pull back from shopping. If you have been wondering whether you are the only one your age thinking about a move, the report suggests you are in very good company. A little planning, a few honest conversations with family and a clear idea of where you want to land can turn that crowd of numbers into a plan that fits you.

Why the record low matters to everyone

The drop in first time buyers to 21% is the number that has the biggest ripple effect. First time buyers are the newest entrants to the market, and a record low share is a notable shift. For a boomer with a house to sell, it is worth asking your agent who the likely buyers for your home are.

The report found multigenerational purchases at 14%, below the 17% from before, but still a meaningful share of the market.

The takeaway is simple. The housing market is not just a young person’s story. Boomers are the biggest group on both the buying and selling sides, and anyone in that group has real choices to make.

Willow and Hearth