Guess the age of the average first time home buyer!

What? You're a Gen X, Y and Zer? Still living in daddy's basement? No he's not happy about this either. Why couldn't you have started an AI think tank or taken a job at Goldman! Slacker.

First-time homeowners are getting older

By Carrie Shepherd and Sami Sparber, Axios News

Nov 20, 2025

A line chart that tracks the median age of U.S. homebuyers from 1981 to 2025. The median age for all buyers rose from 31 to 59 years. First-time buyers increased from 29 to 40 years, while repeat buyers grew from 36 to 62 years, showing a steady aging trend across all groups.

Data: National Association of Realtors; Chart: Axios Visuals

The typical first-time homebuyer in the U.S. is now 40 — the oldest on record, according to a report by the National Association of Realtors.

Why it matters: High prices, 6% mortgage rates, and a shortage of affordable houses are delaying homeownership for many.

State of play: First-timers made up 21% of buyers between July 2024 and June 2025 — a new low in data going back to 1981.

The latest: Perhaps another scary thought for first-time buyers is President Trump's recent pitch for a 50-year mortgage, which critics note would lower a homeowner's monthly payment but greatly increase their interest over the lifespan of their mortgage and keep homeowners in debt essentially their entire adult lives.

Yes, but: Some economists told NPR the half-century mortgage is not that different from a 30-year in that most sell or refinance their homes during the life of that loan.

The bottom line: 40 is the new 30.

Who else is buying