# Generational attitudes toward homeownership

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/generational-attitudes-toward-homeownership
> Updated: 2026-10-13T21:10:56.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

Recent surveys highlight a generational divide regarding the value and stability of homeownership. In the United States, baby boomers—who hold approximately half of the nation’s home equity—expressed significant skepticism, with 39.6% describing the homeownership dream as “eroding.” Only 13% of this group felt homeownership had “fully delivered” on its role as a cornerstone of the American Dream.

In contrast, research from the United Kingdom indicates that younger generations remain highly committed to the concept. Approximately 84% of respondents under the age of 45 consider owning a home to be essential, a higher rate than the 70% reported by those aged 65 and older. Despite market indicators such as falling house prices and declining mortgage applications, many prospective buyers prioritize saving for deposits over immediate lifestyle spending.

## Claims

- 84% of respondents under the age of 45 consider homeownership to be essential. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- 70% of respondents aged 65 and over consider homeownership essential. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- 82% of respondents would choose to buy a home to live in as their first purchase. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- 55% of respondents would prioritize saving for a deposit even if it meant sacrificing lifestyle spending. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Estate agents reporting falling house prices outnumber those reporting rises by 32 percentage points. (single source)
- The average house price is £298,441. (single source)
- Saving a 10% deposit takes approximately four years in northern England and nine years in London. (single source)
- The latest RICS survey shows that estate agents reporting falling house prices outnumber those reporting rises by 32 percentage points. (single source)
- Lloyds reports the average house price is £298,441, which is unchanged from the previous year. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-13: Homeownership remains essential for younger generations despite market shifts

New research shows 84% of people under 45 view homeownership as essential, despite market cooling and falling mortgage applications reported by RICS and Lloyds.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/homeownership-remains-essential-for-younger-generations

### 2026-10-09: Baby boomers express skepticism toward homeownership dream

Despite holding significant home equity, baby boomers are the most skeptical generation regarding the American Dream of homeownership, with many describing it as “eroding.”

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/baby-boomers-express-skepticism-toward-homeownership-dream

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Cite as: Generational attitudes toward homeownership. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/generational-attitudes-toward-homeownership