More Than a House: 10 Housing Trends That Tell Us What Really Matters

More Than a House

10 Housing Trends That Tell Us What Really Matters

Every year, the National Association of Realtors releases its Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, offering a fascinating snapshot of what's happening across the housing market. The newly released 2025 report is packed with statistics, but as we read through it, what stood out most wasn't just the numbers, it was the story behind them.

At The McGarrigle Team, we've spent decades helping families navigate life's biggest transitions. Whether it's a first home, a growing family, downsizing after the kids leave the nest, or moving closer to loved ones, we've always believed that real estate is about much more than square footage.

This year's report confirmed something we've been seeing firsthand throughout our local communities: people aren't simply buying homes, they're choosing how and where they want to live. 

Here are the 10 takeaways that caught our attention most.

1. First-Time Buyers Are Becoming Rarer

First-time buyers made up just 21% of all home purchases, the lowest percentage recorded since NAR began tracking the data in 1981. For many younger buyers, rising home prices, higher interest rates, student loans, and increasing rents have created additional hurdles to homeownership. While the path may be more challenging than it once was, it also highlights the importance of planning, education, and having trusted guidance along the way.

2. The Average First-Time Buyer Is Now 40

One statistic that surprised us: the median age of a first-time buyer is now 40 years old. For decades, first-time buyers were typically in their late 20s or early 30s. Today's buyers are waiting longer, saving longer, and often entering the market with different priorities. They're looking for homes that support not only their current lifestyle, but their future goals as well.

3. Repeat Buyers Have a Significant Advantage

Repeat buyers continue to dominate today's market. Many existing homeowners are leveraging years of accumulated equity, allowing them to make larger down payments or even purchase homes with cash. It's a reminder of one of the greatest long-term benefits of homeownership: building wealth through equity over time.

4. Homeowners Are Staying Put Longer

The typical seller is owning their home for 11 years before selling, the longest tenure ever recorded. We understand why. Many homeowners secured historically low mortgage rates over the last several years, making the decision to move more complex. At the same time, this trend means fewer homes are coming onto the market, which continues to impact inventory levels across many communities.

5. The Commute Matters Less Than It Used To

Only 31% of buyers said convenience to work was a major factor in choosing a neighborhood, compared to 52% a decade ago. Remote and hybrid work have changed the equation. We're seeing more buyers focus on quality of life, outdoor space, neighborhood amenities, and access to the people and activities they care about most.

6. Community Is Winning

This may have been our favorite finding in the entire report. The two most important neighborhood factors cited by buyers were:

• Quality of the neighborhood (59%)
• Convenience to friends and family (47%)

Those numbers speak volumes. People are choosing connection. They're prioritizing community. They're looking for neighborhoods where they can build relationships, raise families, support local businesses, and feel a true sense of belonging. As a family business deeply rooted in this area, that's something we can wholeheartedly get behind.

7. Families Are Taking Longer To Enter the Market

Only 24% of buyers had children under the age of 18 living at home, another record low.

Rising housing costs, changing lifestyles, and delayed parenthood are all contributing factors.

This shift is changing the types of homes buyers seek and reminding us that today's housing market serves a wider variety of lifestyles than ever before.

8. Single Women Continue To Lead the Way

Single women accounted for 21% of all buyers compared to just 9% of single men. Among first-time buyers, the gap was even larger. We love seeing this trend continue. More women are achieving homeownership independently and building long-term financial security through real estate. It's an encouraging reminder that homeownership isn't tied to a specific life stage or family structure.

9. Buyers Still Believe in Homeownership

Despite affordability challenges, buyers continue to view homeownership as one of the smartest long-term investments they can make. While market conditions may change from year to year, the desire to create stability, build equity, and establish roots remains remarkably strong.

10. Real Estate Is Still Personal

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the entire report isn't a statistic at all.

Behind every number is a story.

• A family moving closer to grandparents.
• A first-time buyer achieving a lifelong goal.
• A homeowner downsizing after decades of memories.
• A couple choosing a neighborhood because it feels like home.

And that's why we love what we do.

What This Means for Our Community

While national trends are interesting, every market is local. The communities we serve throughout Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, and the Main Line each have their own unique dynamics. Yet one theme from this year's report feels especially relevant here: people are prioritizing relationships, lifestyle, and community more than ever before.

That's encouraging because those same values have always guided our approach. Real estate is about helping people find the right place to live the life they want, not simply helping them buy or sell a house.

If you're curious about how these national trends compare to what's happening right here in our local market, we'd love to have a conversation.

Because understanding the numbers is important.

Understanding the people behind them is even more important.