Nov 13, 2025 - News
First-time homebuyers are older than ever
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
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: First-timers made up just 21% of buyers between July 2024 and June 2025 — a new low in data going back to 1981.
Between the lines: Equity-rich repeat buyers (with a median age of 62, the highest ever) have more ability to make big down payments and all-cash offers.
- A record 26% of all purchasers paid cash, up from 20% the year before, NAR found.
The bottom line: 40 is the new 30.