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Are Gen Z buyers actually changing the housing market, or is it just the economy?

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Silvia_M
Joined:
27.04.2023
Posts: 505
Topic Starter
04.01.2025 11:00
I've been reading a lot of articles lately claiming that Gen Z is completely shifting how real estate works, especially with their preference for smart homes and sustainable living. From what I've seen in my own search, it feels more like we're just trying to survive high interest rates and low inventory rather than making 'lifestyle choices.' Is anyone else feeling like the market is just difficult for everyone regardless of the generation? I'm curious if realtors are actually seeing a shift in what younger buyers prioritize, or if we're all just settling for whatever we can afford.
10 replies in this topic
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agata_k
Joined:
25.01.2021
Posts: 2352
21.01.2025 22:49
Honestly, I think the media loves to manufacture a narrative about 'lifestyle preferences' to distract from the fact that housing affordability is at an all-time low. It's not a preference; it's a constraint.
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Iva_R
Joined:
18.07.2023
Posts: 803
07.05.2025 06:24
In reply to a previous post
I'm a realtor, and I can tell you that while Gen Z clients ask about smart tech, they almost always drop that requirement the moment they see the price tag. It's survival mode, 100%.
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Bg_Pechba
Joined:
10.08.2021
Posts: 1768
21.05.2025 15:06
In reply to a previous post
Exactly. When you're spending 40% of your income on rent, 'sustainable living' is a luxury, not a priority. We just want a roof that doesn't leak.
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ZlatnaRuka
Joined:
19.11.2022
Posts: 1803
06.07.2025 00:41
I feel like it's a mix of both. We are more conscious about sustainability, but the economy is definitely the one pulling the strings right now.
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seba_bg
Joined:
13.12.2023
Posts: 1042
12.08.2025 19:07
In reply to a previous post
I disagree with the OP. I'm Gen Z and I specifically held out for a house with solar panels. Even if it took longer to save, I wasn't willing to compromise on that.
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Bg_Pechba
Joined:
16.07.2022
Posts: 506
13.10.2025 23:05
In reply to a previous post
Good for you, but that's a luxury most people don't have. Most of my friends are just trying to find a condo that isn't falling apart.
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ZlatnaRuka
Joined:
17.03.2023
Posts: 2461
18.10.2025 23:41
The market is broken for everyone, not just us. Boomers had it easy, but that doesn't mean they aren't also struggling with property taxes and maintenance costs now.
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Stefan_W
Joined:
27.02.2021
Posts: 913
23.12.2025 06:41
In reply to a previous post
I think the 'shift' the articles talk about is just us being forced into smaller spaces or co-living arrangements. It's not a choice, it's an adaptation to the economy.
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nov_tuk
Joined:
30.12.2021
Posts: 653
21.03.2026 14:38
In reply to a previous post
It's definitely the economy. Interest rates are the main character here, not the buyer's personality.
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ChernaKotka
Joined:
15.02.2023
Posts: 153
28.03.2026 17:47
In reply to a previous post
I've stopped reading those articles. They're usually written by people who bought their houses twenty years ago and don't understand the current math.

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